Karen Foley
Lynn Raye Harris
Ellen Hartman
Diana Holquist
Samantha Hunter
Shirley Jump
Dee Tenorio
Jeannie Watt
Welcome Guest Blogger Karen Anders!
The Voices Told Me To Do It!
Not many people would admit that they hear voices in their heads. Not unless they want a straitjacket and the men in the white coats to pay a visit.
Yep. It’s true. I hear voices. Voices that clamber for stories. I write romance to get these people off my back. When I start writing a character’s story, you’d expect the voices to go away and leave you alone. The voices only get louder. They tell me all the wonderful things I need to know about them. They make sure I dot my i’s and cross my t’s. Like I don’t know to do that.
Truthfully, I thank God for those voices because they do force me to pen my romances that enrich my life, keep me sane, and give me hope. Characters that are brave, vulnerable, sweet, lusty, and unpredictable fill my head. The power of their lives tingle in my fingertips and their emotions rip through my heart. It’s all about their struggle to learn what they need to learn and stay true to themselves while they do it.
Sounds like I believe these people are real. For the duration of the story, they do become real to me. I have to delve into them to wring every last shred of story out, so that my work is complete.
And that lets me be true to myself.
So I’ve given in to some of those voices and got a three book mini-series—Undercover Lovers. My upcoming release Up Close and Dangerously Sexy is book #1 and will be out March 1. Book #2 is slated for October 2009 and Book #3 in April 2010. I also have “Surf’s Up," a novella coming out in a Harlequin Blaze Anthology with Julie Kenner and Jill Monroe in July 2009.
Fess up. Does anyone else hear voices? Talk to me and I will give away to one poster an autographed copy of a book from my backlist. You must be registered at Cigars to be eligible to win. Good luck!
I’d like to thank Sam and the other Cigar regulars for having me today!
»
Welcome Karen!
Karen, so great to have you here! I love that cover, and can't wait to pick up the book. :)
As for voices, you reminded me of an article I read, I think it was by Marti Noxon (Buffy writer), who said she could never work in crowded cafes or places like that because she often had to sit and be quiet and listen to her characters, and hear their voices. Considering how catchy and fun the voices of Buffy are, I think that obviously works for her.
I'll admit, for me, I tend to see more than I hear -- I have flashes of scenes, and I find I am always picturing what's going on more than hearing it, which often leads my cps to mentioning things like making my characters sound different, something I have to work on as a writer.
Interesting topic, though... and looking forward to visiting with you today. :)
Sam
Hearing Voices
Thank goodness you hear voices (or see action in Sam's case) because if you (and other writers) didn't I wouldn't have anything to read. And the only voice I hear is my mother's voice from beyond when I am tempted to do something she wouldn't approve of. Not quite the same thing.
Hearing Voices
Thanks Ellen. No, it's not quite the same thing, but that voice is priceless. My dad is still alive and even when I'm tempted to do something, I hear his voice. "Karen. . .do you really think that's a good idea."
Karen
Up Close and Dangerously Sexy, 3/09
Glad to be here!
Thanks so much for having me today, Sam. It's a pleasure to visit.
It's a funny topic, but also a serious one, too. I know, for me, even though they drive me crazy, I'm thankful for those voices and what they tell me to do. It "makes" my fiction.
Looking forward to the discussion.
Karen
Up Close and Dangerously Sexy, 3/09
Hi Karen!
Congratulations on your new series. I don't think I hear voices but then I'm not an author. I'm glad you and all the other many authors who write stories I love to read are hearing those voices and getting them into a book.
Hi Karen
Thanks Maureen for reading. It sure would be lonely without those voices in my head. And without you, the voices would die. Writers and readers--isn't it great the way that works out?
Karen
Up Close and Dangerously Sexy, 3/09
Welcome, Karen!
It's great to have you here today, and I love your new cover!
I can't say that I hear voices in my head, but I definitely see moving pictures, complete with settings and characters. When I get a story idea, the whole thing plays out in my head like a movie and I can't wait to get it down on paper.
Congratulations on your three-book mini-series; I can't wait to grab my copies!
Welcome, Karen!
Thanks Karen. That's a great name, by the way. LOL. It's so fun to write for Blaze and they are letting me write the stories I love. Can't beat that.
Karen
Up Close and Dangerously Sexy, 3/09
Hi there!
So, Karen, when you've finished the story, do the voices go away? Do any come back and say Don't you want to know what happens after the wedding? Don't you want to know what happens to us ten years from now? Because I'd love to read that!!
There was once a cartoon of Charles Dickens pictured with his feet up on a desk and all the characters he had created were floating above his head in little balloons. I could just imagine what they were telling him!
I do hear voices. They're not as fun as yours though! I call them my angels because they help keep me in check. Not that I've got a raging desperado trying to get out but, more, they remind me to keep my bitterness (for example) in check. Mainly because it hurts me more than anyone else!
I hope the rest of the covers for your trilogy are as great as that one!
ani
Hi there!
Ani - Once I finish a book, I know in my heart that these characters lives are going to be beautiful and they're going to be together forever, so, yes, their voices go away. But there are more voices to fill the gap in the form of secondary characters that I created for the primary story. In Up Close, I created six new characters that I hope to write future stories about. That does create more of a din. But, I handle that by writing down a quick and dirty blurb on each to appease them and promise them that their story is coming. That seems to quiet them down some.
I've seen that cartoon of Dickens and that's exactly my experience. LOL
Angel voices are good. Like Mom and Dad voices they keep us out of trouble.
From your lips to Harlequin ears. I sure do hope they come up with other great covers. I did get a title for my second book in the series yesterday. It's Dangerous Curves. I love it.
Karen
Up Close and Dangerously Sexy, 3/09
What I Hear
I hear story ideas, but I'm afraid that I'm not listening to them currently. I would love to be a writer, but now just doesn't seem like the right time.
Deidre
What I Hear
Deidre - Everyone has to do what's right for them at the right time. If it's meant to be, I believe it'll happen. Thanks for commenting.
Karen
Up Close and Dangerously Sexy, 3/09
Hi Karen, I am not an author
Hi Karen,
I am not an author and do not hear voices in my head.
I am so glad you and other authors hear these voices so there are books to read.
Hi Karen, I am not an author
Estella - Another reader! Yay. That makes me happen. Keep reading and not hearing voices.
Karen
Up Close and Dangerously Sexy, 3/09
Voices
I am not an author, but a reader. I may not hear the same voices that you do. My voices is the ones in my head telling me to get off of that computer or put that book down or you want get anything done. I read every night before I go to bed and I have this little voice in my head that tells me I had better put that book down or I will be up all night reading. Sometime I don't want to hear that little voice.
Voices
What's that my father used to say? Everything in moderation. But when you're addicted to books, easier said than done. Don't put that book down for too long, especially if it's mine. LOL.
Thanks for commenting.
Karen
Up Close and Dangerously Sexy, 3/09
Nope...
no voices here, unless you count the ones that implore me to ignore the laundry and finish that lovely book sitting on the counter instead... and of course, that box of chocolates beckoning from the pantry ;)
As others have said, thank goodness you do hear voices, Karen! (And not just the chocolate variety ;))
Nope
Yes, Fedora, I hear those chocolate voices and they're so persuasive, damn them.
Karen
Up Close and Dangerously Sexy, 3/09
Voices
Hi Karen,
Congrats on your upcoming release. I do hear voices. This mostly happens when I'm shopping and a voice will usually tell me to buy something or tell me not to buy it because it's too expensive. I don't always heed the voices.
Voices
Jane - I hear you. Shopping is one of those activities I love to do, but lack the resources. It's good not to heed those voices every so often. We work hard. We should enjoy a little treat here and there, even if it is a little expensive.
Karen
Up Close and Dangerously Sexy, 3/09
Thank You!
Sam, Cigar regulars, and posters - Thanks so much for having me!
Karen
Up Close and Dangerously Sexy, 3/09
The Winner!
Deidre - You won! Congratulations! Email me at karen@karenanders.com with your snail mail.
Thanks again for participating.
Karen
Up Close and Dangerously Sexy, 3/09