Lori Foster's A Perfect Storm Blog Tour - Win a Copy!

Welcome to Lori Foster's A Perfect Storm Blog Tour! 

Your Excerpt From A Perfect Storm: 

“Oh, aren’t you the generous one?”

He sighed. “The sneer is unappealing. Just tell me what it is.”

The narrowing of her eyes emphasized their pale, bright blue color and the thickness of her long, inky lashes. She drew two deep breaths, making it tough for him to keep his attention off her chest.

“It’s my birthday.”

Huh. Of all the things he’d imagined, that wasn’t one of them. It wasn’t even one of the top fifty. “Your birthday?” he said stupidly.

“Yeah, you know, the day I was born. Not under a rock, in case you’re wondering.” When he stayed mute, she added, “I’m twenty-one now. A legal adult. Not a little girl, like you keep saying.”

Find your next excerpt of A Perfect Storm at http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/

Now, welcome Lori Foster to Cheeky Reads - Advice for Aspiring Romance Novelists: 

I suggest that budding romance writers write what excites them. Avoid the traps of trying to jump on the bandwagon, or emulate a successful author. If it’s not YOU, you won’t enjoy it. If you don’t enjoy it, why would anyone else?

Some writers prefer stand alone books. Some, like me, have characters that take over and show up again and again.  Some like writing sweet romances, and some like super-steamy and explicit. It is such an amazingly personal thing that you can’t, and should never try to, write for anyone but yourself.

I’ve had books that readers hated. Some that readers *really* hated. LOL. But I’m a realist. I know I can’t please all the readers all of the time. When disappointed readers write to me, I apologize. I AM sorry that they spent time on a book they didn’t enjoy. 

But will I change what I’m doing for them? I can’t.

What works for me is writing what I want, what I enjoy, the way that I want to write it, and the way that works for me. All writers should do the same.

Another tip for new writers – stay away from critique groups. It’s YOUR book, not a book by committee. Just because your critique partner doesn’t like it, just because she thinks it’s awkward, doesn’t mean you need to change it. The only opinions that matter are #1) yours, and #2) the editor’s.  Your critique partner cannot buy your book. All she can really do is point out typos, which is great, discourage you with criticism, which is self-defeating, or bolster you with praise, which may or may not jive with an editor’s opinion.

So avoid it.

Contests can also be a catch 22. Sure, you get immediate feedback and sometimes you get a connection with an editor or agent. But you also get immediate gratification – something you should get after you’ve _finished the book!_ NOT because you’ve written one to three chapters.

I’ve know unpubs who’ve polished that first chapter a dozen times. It’s been submitted in at least that many contests. It’s even placed in a few, or won in some. But the whole book? Why finish a book when you can send just one chapter in to win another contest?

Contests make it so easy to lose sight of the end goal – which is publication. 

New writers – keep your eye on that end goal! As soon as you finish a book and get it mailed off, start another. And another.


Thanks Lori! 

Don't forget to keep following the blog tour! Check out this link for all the information:  http://booktrib.com/blog-tour-a-perfect-storm-by-lori-foster/

Giveaway: The awesome team at Media Muscle is allowing me to giveaway 1 copy of A Perfect Storm to a lucky reader! Tell me what you love the most about romantic suspense and high-octane heroes and you'll be entered to win! 


Open in the US and Canada, a winner will be randomly selected on Friday April 20th. So leave a comment and include your email so I can forward your information to Media Muscle! 

11 comments:

  1. Watch for my review later this week, but this book is so good - you should totally enter to win!

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  2. I've read Lori's books in the past...everything she writes is good. *LOL*

    I'd agree with the first and the last of her writing advice, but not overly convinced of the second. I mean, you can have a bad CP and you don't want the book in HER voice, but sometimes brainstorming with a CP can add another dimension to your story that makes it better. I can't say CPs are necessarily bad for writing but I see how they can be a distraction if you're writing to please them more than pleasing yourself.

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  3. Great advice and I love all of it. And agree with all of it!

    I'm a fan of romantic suspense when they really get it right. Like when someone is shot and doesn't just shrug it off. I want to read the emotional response to being assaulted and make it real!

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  4. What I love about romantic suspense is that it really does feel like a roller coaster ride!

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  5. I taught for 28 years. I always told my students to write about what you know or what you're interested in. Good advice. I love romantic suspense because you get action, life and death situations, and romance. Thanks!

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  6. I love the excitement! The action is non-stop, and sometimes you need that kick in your reading.

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  7. I love the fast action and suspense. The sexy hot guys are always a plus too!

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  8. I like romantic suspense because it can add to the emotional roller coaster I get to go on: highs and lows of the romance and ups and downs of the suspense. It's usually one or the other, but when it's both at the same time it can be intense.

    Thanks for a chance to get this book.
    bas1chsemail at gmail dot com

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  9. I read romantic suspense for the romance between the hero and heroine and to stimulate my mind to figure out the crime of who done it, the motive, and how the crime was committed. I also love the intense moments and the sexual tension between the hero and heroine.

    kmccandle(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  10. Hi Lori,
    Love your books. Your info was great advice.
    I love the fact that with all the action, suspense and drama these Heroes find time and a way to make that romance carry through he story and get their HEA.I love the adventure of it all.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  11. I like romantic suspense and high-octane heroes because they keep you on the edge of your seat and you are never bored.
    Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot}com

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