My Cyber World

I love to blog because it is an outlet for my writing soul. But the main reason I love to blog is because I have met some very fun people and created a wonderful little Cyber World of friends. I'm not going to mention every blog in this post (too long--check out my blogs I follow or look at the sidebar on my page).
But I do want to share the few that have made me laugh out loud or taught me a thing or three about writing or technology.

First up, the Petits Fours & Hot Tamales made me LOL with their most recent post about Thongs. Then I zipped over to my good friend's blog, The Edited Life, and learned about Mind Mapping. She's always coming up with interesting topics. The other day I chuckled when I read one of my chapter mate's blogs about the Dunking Booth in Okay, Listen Here. She's new to the blogging scene, but not to writing (actually, she's two people). I always love to read my group blog, Romance Magicians. And I've added a few new friends to my Cyber World, including Jody Hedlund, Ellen Brickley (over in Ireland!), Karen Gowen, and Justine Dell.

I also read agent blogs, blogs about publishing and blogs that are just plain fun. I don't read every blog I follow every day (I'd never get any writing accomplished). But I do like to touch base with my Cyber Buddies on a regular basis. This is my coffee break time, my office chatter with other writers and my way of feeling connected to others when I'm slogging away on my computer and writing.

Writing is a solo pursuit. But it doesn't have to be lonely, especially in this day and age.

A Few Good Books on My Nook: Read to Write Well

I blogged about my brand new toy, THE NOOK after Mother's Day. The timing of the gift coincided with my renewed desire to read more books, not just for analysis of my genre, but for pure pleasure. For quite some time, I had spent hours writing. I had spent hours reading blogs about writing. I had spent hours learning about writing via online courses and reading books about the craft.

I had not spent a lot of time READING. What had once been a passion for me had transformed into only work. I resolved to change that in the new year. And I've been happily reading books by Suzanne Brockmann, Nora Roberts and slews of other writers. I've read YAs for fun, Women's Fiction and pure romance.

Remember Romance? Remember when it was simply about a boy meeting a girl, falling in love, falling in love with their love, feeling sad when they reached their romantic black moment, wondering how they'd patch things up, and finally cheering for them when they reached their happily ever after?

I do. I have missed the purity of the original romances I read when I was a teenager, a young adult, a new mom and an active school parent. Sure, I like action stories. I read them. I love thrillers written by Grissom, Clancy (guess who the Dowager Feline is named after LOL), and Ludlum. I enjoy a great read with epic sweeping themes. The classics. Love them.

But I really love a great love story. Best of all, all of this renewed reading has affirmed a decision I made about my writing. I want to write about love. The relationships and the characters matter to me. The plot is secondary to my characters. Sure, I know I have to have the external plot, but it's the love story that sweeps me away as a reader.

Good to know if I'm writing love stories. Good to know if I want write great love stories.

So I've made a conscious effort to read every day, for an hour, minimum. And not just at night when I'm bone tired and falling asleep, but reading during the day when I am alert. Reading to escape. Reading for fun. Reading to get lost in a story that fills me with hope.

Okay, so here are the books I've read so far on my NOOK.

The Bride Quartet Series by Nora Roberts.
*Vision in White
*Bed of Roses
*Savor the Moment

Loved all three and can't wait for the 4th book to come out in November. They are written in classic Nora Roberts' style and yes, there's a bit of head hopping, but it's seamless. And she gets people and relationships and love and all the gunk that happens between two flawed individuals as they struggle to find their way to lasting happiness. I love her stories because they are pure romance. Period. And if I should have the pleasure of meeting her in Orlando, by accident, in an elevator or wherever, I will seriously have A FAN GIRL moment. And I am not typically a fan girl kind of person. But I do believe I would hyperventilate if I met her and she spoke to me.

I just finished a wonderful romance by Emily Griffin called Something Borrowed. It reads like a chick lit with a ton of romance. There aren't any bombs or SEALS in it. There's a friend getting married, a selfish girl at best who has a best friend, the heroine, who is learning to free herself from her self-imposed "good girl" rules. And wow, does she ever find a fabulous way to do it! Read the book cover to find out about her story.

On the docket? I've got the following books queued:

Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallery
Once a Cowboy by Linda Warren
Best Friend, Future Wife by Claire Baxter
The Next Best Thing by Kristin Higgins

I know reading for pleasure will enrich my writing. So what's on your bookshelf? Or in your E-Reader? And if you're a writer, I hope you're reading, too!