Writer Talk: Active voice vs Passive voice

I admit it. When writers use what I call "writer talk," I get totally lost. I have some great writers who have been kind enough to critique some of my work.

As a baby writer this can be overwhelming. It is good for you, but overwhelming all the same. Something that always confuses me is passive and active voice. Today I am researching this as a part of my new "teach myself to write" program.

I have found some interesting websites to help me with this and wanted to share.

Grammar Online

Self-Test Quiz: The Choking Dog: Exercise on Passive Voice

Grammar Exercises - Passive Voice
Passive Voice shh embarassing since I speak english-but hey whatever works! lol

I hope this can help someone!

Be sure to check my alter ego's blog for something naughty! lol Click on Fayne Carris in my blog roll. :0

Secrets Of Summer

Things aren't always as they seem. Convinced she was the ugly duckling in a gaggle of swans, Pyper discovers that her childhood crush has had some fantasies of his own. Amidst the threat of losing everything she holds dear she learns that sometimes a crush can become a reality.

Secrets of Summer

by Tara S Nichols

Coming soon to http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/a...htm

It has been years since Pyper has seen any sign of Liam Patterson so she is surprised when he reappears outside his old stomping grounds. More surprising is when he addresses her by her name. By the looks of Liam very little had changed about the beach loving playboy. He was just as handsome and just as flirtatious, although it never was her he had been flirting with, until now. As their secrets unravel both summer residents are faced with the thought of never returning to Victoria Beach, the place where their fantasies began.

Available April 18th from Cobblestone-press!

Tagged by Lauren Murphy-who is now known as mine enemy *j/k

You’re feeling: Refreshed, the hubby watched the kiddos-I slept four hours!

To your left: My Kitchen doorway. The smell of refried beans are coming through that the hubby is cooking for a "snack."

On your mind: Writing for once. I am working on revisions and finishing my 10,000 word peice.


What's for dinner tonight? We had grilled chicken and left over beans and rice. It was good!

Last meal included: See above...

You sometimes find it hard to: Jump my husband in the laundry room.

The Weather: It is 77 and cloudy with a light breeze, oh if only it stayed like this year round.

Something you have a collection of: The only thing I collect are romance novels. Any book that I love is saved to a tote box. I have 8 of them.

A smell that cheers you up: Magnolias. I love the smell.


A smell that can ruin your mood: Spermacide from a condom. Hate the smell. :)

How long since you last shaved: Why, oh God someone noticed I did not shave. Didn't they? I knew better than to wear shorts today.

The current state of your hair: Rat's nest with a hint of curl

The largest item on your desk/workspace (not computer): A big tub of clorox wipes. Don't ask.

Your skill with chopsticks: I am okay with them.

Which section do you head for first in a bookstore: I head straight for the romance and then the cook books.


Something you’re craving: A dove ice cream bar.

Your general thoughts on the presidential race: I love my presidential candidate. :)

How many times have you been hospitalized this year: None, thank goodness.


Favorite place to go for a quiet moment: My bedroom, with the door locked and the fan on high to drown out any noise.

You’ve always secretly thought you’d be a good: Stripper. Seriously.


Something that freaks you out a little: Those little spider monkeys.


Something you’ve eaten too much of lately: Everything.


You have never: Left the country.

You never want to: Give up on my dreams

The four people I’m tagging: Kelsey Simmons, Katie Reus, Cinthia Hamer, Kathleen Oxley

Slutty Boots

...every woman should have a pair. Just saying.

Click here for slutty boots :)

It's been a while :)

I have been so busy with kids that I've had no time to write. I am getting used to this new schedule and am getting back to it!

Some useful websites!

If you are a mom with four kids or more here is a great new site called Moms Of Many-lots of fun!

If you are looking for a work from home job visit absolutely moms for great resources!

So I've been tagged...

Man, I am so boring but okay Cinthia tagged me so here are the rules...

Here's the way it works if I've tagged you:

1. Link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post these rules on your blog.
3. Share six unimportant things about yourself.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your blog entry.
5. Let the tagged people know by leaving a comment on their blogs.
--------------------
1) I loved to read so much I often skipped school to read. It was mostly romance novels. I read the Harlequins then and I can fool some people into thinking I am well traveled. lol

2) I often predict future events of people who are close to me. For instance I told my husband one night that if he ever cut his finger at work to put it in a baggie on ice. A couple of weeks later...yep he lost his middle finger to the first knuckle. Put it on ice but they were unable to save it. So I was mostly right.

3) Ice cream is my weakness! I am on weight watchers and have not had ice cream in a month. Torture!

4) I have a knack for remembering bits and pieces of info from tv shows. I often give people info from shows like 20/20 from years and years ago.

5) I HATE horror movies. I have not watched one since I was about fourteen.

6) I leave the shower curtain halfway open when showering.

i will add the tagged peiple later :)

Romance Divas, Second Annual Ebook Challenge!

Caution! Steamy, only 18 and up should read. Seriously, you've been warned.

Happy Valentines Day!!

As a baby writer I dreaded sharing my first written sex scene. So what do I do? Why I enter a Romance Diva ebook challenge! As soon as I heard of the contest Hayleigh popped into my head. She was spunky but shy, curvy and looking for love. For this book I wanted the challenge of having a sex scene happen in the first chapter and try to then make my characters both likeable and cared about in the following chapters, so stay tuned for the rest of the story!

I dedicate this work in progress to some special weight loss buddies. Chai, Tiffany, Danielle, Brenda, Deanna, Kamma, Debbie and all the sexy curvy ladies in my weight loss circle. This one is for you!!!

To my cousin sexy Lexie...thanks for being my model...even if you are 100 lbs soaking wet you still got curves girl!

Update: I have taken down the second part of the scene. To read more, well you will have to wait for the book. :0


Cover art by Nita H.

Copyright February 2008

Traci Flowers

All rights reserved. No part of

this work may be reproduced in

any fashion without the express,

written consent of the copyright holder.

Somtimes love begins as a Sweet Temptation. Hayleigh Traylor is the Director of Innovations for 'Chocolate Visions'. She has a great job as a taste tester for a family owned chocolate candy factory. Adam Ramiro is the CEO and Hayleigh's hunky boss. Adam is smart, sexy, and handsome. How could Houston's most eligible bachelor want her? She feels downright chunky next to his muscular body! Was Adam just looking for an on the job romance, or is he serious when he claims he only wants her?

Finding out could be a Sweet Temptation!

Traci Flowers
Chapter 1


Adam Ramiro leaned against the wall of his family’s chocolate factory , watching as chocolate was poured into heart shaped molds. For fifty years the Ramiro family had been making handmade one of a kind chocolate’s.

The twenty floor empolyees were busy finishing up for the night. In just a few minutes the companie’s Director of Innovations, Hayleigh Traylor, would walk through the employee entrance of the small white stuco building.

Anticipation built as he waited for the one woman who’d dared to kiss him senseless, then promptly ran...twice.

He’d never kissed a woman whom he’d not been to bed with soon after. All women wanted to go to bed with him it seemed, Hayleigh was special though. Oh he wanted her, so much his nightly dreams made him wake up hard and aching. He also wanted to know her though. He wanted to know what her favorite flower was, what kind of movies she liked, and what side of the bed she wanted when they slept together.

But first he needed to get the woman to stop running everytime they shared a kiss.

He checked his watch once more, smiling as he heard the employee entrance beep as the door opened. Her tennis shoes sounded squeaky on the concrete floor. As usual her footsteps were hurried. Always in a hurry, that was Hayleigh Traylor all right. She’d even kissed him in a hurry, he would teach her though to slow down and enjoy things more.

She stepped into the nearby wash room to wash her hands and slip on the white coveralls that were mandatory in the small factory.

Adam soaked in the sight of her through the double paned windows. She wore a pink tank top tonight. He could not see her from the waist down, but he knew she was pulling the uniform over her long rounded legs. He watched in sweet agony as she straightened and did a little shimmy, pulling her arms through the long sleeves. He groaned, forced to shift his weight in growing arousal as she tucked and patted her large lush breasts. He blew out a breath as she finally zipped the uniform up.

Damn she made him horny as hell. He was thirty-two and getting hard watching a woman put on a factory uniform. How did she do this to him?

What was it about this shy woman that drove him absolutely crazy with lust?

They fit together perfect. She was just one inch shy of his six foot putting their bodies in perfect alignment. Her long wavy auburn hair was always shiny and soft looking. Her dark brown eyes fringed in dark long lashes. And her mouth...oh god her mouth was as ripe and plump as a fresh strawberry. The things he imagined her doing to him with that mouth.

And the way she kissed. She kissed him as if she could devour him. He wanted more of those thrilling kisses, he wanted everything she had to give...and then he wanted more.

She was the total package to him. Brains, smoking hot body and a heart of gold. Strangely enough she did not even know her own appeal. Her Marilyn Monroe figure was not appreciated in today’s society, so she hid behind baggy clothes. She couldn’t hide though in the ‘Chocolate Vision’s’ uniform.

He’d had nightly fantasies of slowly unzipping her while she was nude underneath. God he wanted to see her naked. After a year of her working here, he was ready to step up his game with her.

She stepped out of the wash room and onto the factory floor waving goodbye to the day shift employees as they left. They were alone now as she was the only night employee for the small business. She was talking to herself as she punched in, but he only caught the last part of it. "...think of kissing that man, just do the taste testing, do your reports and go home."

Smiling at the way she grumbled, he pushed away from the wall. She was so freaking cute, especially when she was talking about him. He had no doubts their kiss last week still had her in a tizzy.

"What man aren’t you going to kiss Hayleigh?"

She whipped around, eyes wide and startled. Her hand went to her heart, her breathing increased. Damn. Watching her breathing heavy was going to cause his own palpitations. Her luscious tits rose and fell. God he wanted to touch her there.

Holding up his hands in apology he stepped near, trying not to drop his eyes again. "Sorry, it’s tasting day so I thought you’d be expecting me."

"I was...expecting you that is. I just thought you would be here after I had the tasting room ready." she replied.

Adam smiled, and lied through his teeth. "I had to stay late anyway. I thought I would help you set up." Of course he really just couldn’t wait to see her.

For a moment she stared at him in silence. He tried not to smile as her gaze zeroed in on his mouth, her expression full of longing.

"Well, I hope your hungry and ready to taste tonight." She said, all innocence.

He growled under his breath in erotic frustration. Damn her words had him go rock hard in want. "Oh yes, I am ready to taste y...uh, yes I’m ready."

Hayleigh popped a hand on a rounded hip, looked to say something but changed her mind. He watched her generous ass as she turned walking to the room temperature sample cooler. He felt pathetic as he walked behind her, almost panting like a dog after a bone.

Adam helped to set up the small tasting room that held one long conference table and two functional chairs, and a small fridge. He set up sliced apples and bread to clear their palate, and glasses of iced water. He was careful to make sure to set the chairs close at one end of the long table. His senses went on overload as she walked into the room. The heady combination of Hayleigh and chocolate had his nostrils flaring in appreciation. "How many samples tonight Hayleigh?"

"Four. Two are new products and the other two are quality control." She sat down looking to him to do the same.

They both took a small bite of apple and a drink of water. Adam tried not to stare at her soft pale fingers as she picked up the first sample. Hayleigh broke it in half listening carefully. "The snap on this sample is not the best Adam."

"Not enough tempering?" he asked.

She shook her head. "I believe it’s the cocoa, the grade is at sixty-five percent in this sample."

As she started to rub a piece, he cursed his jeans that were getting tighter by the second under the coveralls. Her rubbing had the treat’s aroma rise between them. The smells and thoughts of her rubbing him made him crazy with wanting her.

"This smells nice and spicy." she said, looking him in the eyes finally. Time froze and he gently leaned towards her. The aroma of Hayleigh and chocolate filled his senses, and without thinking he opened his mouth to take the sample from her fingers.

"Oh yes Hayleigh, very spicy." he let the chocolate melt in his mouth and pressed his mouth to hers to share the taste.
####

How to romance your partner

In honor of Valentine's Day I wanted to blog about how to be romantic with your partner.


I think it is a myth that men do not want or appreciate romance from the woman in their life, and that men should do all the romancing. I know my hubby feels appreciated when I do something romantic for him or with him.


Knowing my husband like I do I know he appreciates when I make a romantic meal. Here is one of our favorites to share together.









Here is a great menu from epicurious.com, fairly easy and super yummy!

After dinner how about treating him to a mixed drink and a movie you both can love.





Passionate Kiss coctail









A favorite movie for hubby and I is Jerry Maguire, what could be better than sports for him, and romance for me. Woot!





After dinner how about treating him to a massage, when he recprocates you have the start of some great extended foreplay!


And last but not least read him some erotica! This is a great way to introduce him to one of your fantasies in a safe way. And speaking of erotica, keep watching my blog for my first chapter of my new work in progress, there is chocolate involved!

Heath Ledger-In Memory

Prayers go out to Heath Ledger's family. I feel in love with him in 'The Patriot' and loved every movie he has made. He was a great actor and will be sorely missed.

A book with a cause!

I wanted to put this on my blog since this is such a great cause~!






On the Run
by Judith Rochelle
Rose
PRINT ISBN 1-60154-214-3
(240 pages) Sensual



When Robin Fleming witnessed the murder of her sister, Jamie, her only thought is to grab her nephew and run, from her vicious brother-in-law. Running and hiding, covering their tracks, they eventually settle in Memphis to begin a new life. Robin, now Laura, though still grieving for her sister, is determined to make a good life for her nephew. Then illness hits Andy, and while Laura is dealing with that crisis, bad luck and unfortunate circumstances bring all the players together again and endanger everyone’s lives. Can Dr. Gage Hollander, who has fallen in love with Laura, find a way to save them?

Available now from The Wild Rose Press....ALL Proceeds going to ST. JUDE'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

From Rhonda Penders, Editor-in-Chief, The Wild Rose Press:

Judith Rochelle, is one of our multipublished authors at The Wild Rose Press. In late summer, 2007 I approached her with an idea of a project that would enable RJ and me to give something back for all the wonderful things that had happened to us since we opened in May 2006. I wanted to find an organization that I felt everyone, everywhere would care about and really embrace. While many qualified, the one that kept coming back to my mind was St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

A few days later, Judith created a synopsis and a proposal for a book incorporating romance, suspense and St. Jude's. It took my breath away at what she'd come up with. Judith wrote the book, RJ and I edited it, and Kim Mendoza did the beautiful cover. None of us, including the publishing company, will receive any compensation; every penny will go to St. Jude's. Children's Hospital.

The result of this, is the amazing Crimson Rose book called "On the Run" by Judith Rochelle.
The book will be offered in both print and electronic format. The amount raised will be announced on our web site twice a year. The first report to be posted at the end of June 2008.

If you've purchased this book, thank you for your contribution to St. Jude's, if you haven't purchased it yet, I strongly encourage you to do so. The download is $5.00 and will go into a special fund to be donated to St. Jude's twice a year.

I've been very very blessed to have not only three very healthy sons, but cousins and nephews and nieces and children in my life who have been healthy and happy and strong. Sometimes we all have to take a reality check and realize that there are families out there truly suffering due to their children's long term illnesses. Maybe some of these children are in your family and circle of friends. St. Jude's is an amazing hospital in Memphis, TN that supports and helps families and children of long term illnesses.

If you would like more information on this project, you may contact Rhonda Penders at rpenders@thewildros epress.com. To learn more about the author, please visit www.judithrochelle.com. To see the amazing work St. Jude's does, please visit their web site at www.stjude.org

Thank you for your support of this important project.

Rhonda Penders

What I'm reading this weekend..

I wanted a quick read this weekend so I bought myself a Harlequin Blaze.

I don't think I have read this author before so Julie Miller is new to me. The book is 'At Your Command' It has a 5 star review on amazon, but I did not read them since it tends to spoil the book. Oh and the male cover model is pretty hott! What is up with the heroine though, she looks like she is in pain...lol I will write my review on Monday or early next week.

On another note, I wrote a first chapter for a Valentine's contest sponsored by the wonderful Diva writer's forum. I just sent off a file with my first sex scene! I am so nervous since it was my first time to write one but I needed to get over the fear. I'm holding my breath...gasp. Okay I am out of shape so I won't do that but I am looking forward to see what others think.

Traci

My new blog...

So here I am with my new blog! Being a baby writer I will need to do a lot of research into writing romance novels. It is a genre I love dearly since I picked up my first Harlequin romance novel at thirteen.

I find it extremely exciting to act as matchmaker to all the crazy character's in my head. I am hoping to do them justice by learning and honing my craft. I will use this blog to chronicle my adventure's as I set out to be a published author!

Traci Flowers