During recent conversations with fellow writers and friends, Amie Stuart and Calista Fox, the topic of quotes surfaced. Most likely because I’ve been sending out advance reading copies (ARCs) of my December 2007 release, SIN CLUB, to folks whose work I admire in hopes that they love my work and will give me a quote saying … well, that they love my work.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about quotes. But I’ll be the first to admit that, prior to becoming a published author, I never thought about quotes. Not even when I had a book in my hand that I was thinking of buying. My eyes would skip past the quotes, barely registering their existence.

The only time I read quotes was when I was annoyed. Like, when I picked up a book and turned it over to read the back cover copy and – instead of text – the whole back cover was an author photo. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good photo as much as the next gal, but when I look at the back of the book that I’m thinking of buying, I want to see words, not look at pictures.

So, after heaving a huge sigh, I’d open the book, looking for that little excerpt to entice me to buy it, only to find page after page of quotes. These I’d skim, looking for the ones that actually gave me a hint about what the book was about, barely noticing who gave the quote.

Alright. Off my soapbox. That was then …

Now, after I turn in my completed manuscript to my editor, I become obsessed with quotes for a month or so – sometimes I even experience quote-envy as I read the quotes given to other authors.

But despite my obsessive-compulsive quote seeking behavior and my occasional quote-envy, I still don’t buy a book based on its quotes. Am I alone here? Do quotes influence your decision to buy a book? If so, I’ll let you know when Dean Koontz says, “If you only read one book this year, read a Rachelle Chase romance!”

Okay. So, once again, I’m staring at my Word document that has total of a half of a manuscript page, wondering what to write. I glance at the top of my laptop screen, stare into the ‘motion eye’ and read the label, Enjoy live video chats with built-in camera. Though I’ve had my Sony VAIO laptop for 8 months (if you missed the report of this new love, check out My New Sex Toy), I have yet to remove the label or try this feature.

“Hmmm,” I think. “What better time to experiment than when I’m supposed to be writing?”

So off I go. I launch Microsoft Movie Maker, catch some live shots with my ‘motion eye,’ click and drag and drop and … voila … my very first video. If you study it hard and take good notes, you, too, can learn the secret to producing one page/week.

What do you think? Do you know the secret?

FINDING DEREK

I’ve gotten a few emails asking whether or not Derek had been “found” and folks somehow missed him, as wells as pleas for more Dereks. So here’s the scoop on Derek:

The Bad News: The “Finding Derek” contest is on hold.

The Good News: The “Finding Derek” contest is being revamped and will be rolled out officially in 2007 in a bigger, better, much more exciting way.

So, while I’m sorry to be such a tease, I think the new contest will be well worth the wait.

FINDING RACHELLE

I’ve got a few first-evers to announce to those of you in the San Francisco Bay area - my first solo reading and my first workshop this week (insert nail-biting visual here). Please join me so I won’t be the only one there! LOL

Book Reading @ Tango Diva Literary Salon - 11/14/06

Tango Diva is hosting a Literary Salon and Charity Shopping Bazaar on November 14th from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. at swanky Roe Restaurant. Not only will you be able to shop for the perfect holiday gift but, according to Tango Diva, “… you’ll suddenly feel like Playboy’s Miss July as our favorite erotic writer, Rachelle Chase, stimulates us with hot selections from her latest novel.” Please stop by so I won’t be reading out loud to myself! Sign up here and pay your $10 to help raise money for Families United. And check out me out on the Tango Diva home page (as well as the interview)!

Guest Speaker @ SV-RWA - 11/18/06

I’ve been invited to speak at the Silicon Valley chapter of Romance Writers of America (SV-RWA) on Saturday, November 18th. The meeting, which includes breakfast, starts at 8:30 a.m. I’ll be speaking on How to Get Published by Accident from 11:00-12:30. For an overview of my presentation, to register, and/or get directions, check out the SV-RWA web site.

Afterward, I’ll post an update or two here. So please check back for the details!

Last week, after overdosing on coffee and forgoing sleep to meet the deadline for my latest book, The Sin Club, I wondered why I felt so drained. Well, beyond the obvious reason, that is. And it finally dawned on me:

Just as the actual sex act – done right, LOL – can be exhausting, so is writing erotic romance.

Why is that? Well, for me it’s because sex is a major character in the story who must be present at all times. Even when the hero and/or heroine are not thinking about sex or having sex or even together in the same scene. What the hero/heroine is seeing, thinking, saying, physically and emotionally feeling, as well as smelling and tasting, must be used to convey sensuality consistently – before, during, and after the actual sexual intercourse. The reader must always feel the sexual tension regardless of what is happening in the story. And keeping that level consistent, even in the most mundane conversation, takes a lot of work. At least for me and the level of sensuality I try to maintain in my writing.

But it’s over. I’m done. The book has been turned in. And I feel like I would after a great round of sex: Satisfied and complete. I think the exhaustion was worth it – The Sin Club pleased me.

So … is it just me or do other writers feel like this after completing erotica/erotic romance? And from a reader standpoint, do you like sensuality present in every scene?

I’ve been thinking of a way to distinguish myself - physically - as an author. When I’ve run into people who know my friend Mary B. Morrison – but not by name – they say, “You know. The author with the blonde [dread]locks.” Or when referring to my friend, Liz Maverick, they say, “The one with the rings and sparkly eyes.”

So … what can I do so that people will remember me?

I’m thinking tattoos and piercings. I saw a woman today with an interesting combination of the two. She had this crimson Marilyn Monroe mole with a diamond stud in the middle. Her lipstick was the exact shade of crimson.

How does this sound? … “That red-lipped author with the red tattooed diamond studded mole who always wears red.”

Nah. Too wordy.

The search continues …

P.S. — On a different note, I’ve launched a blog. There are some fun contests going on, namely a chance to win a 6-month Aphrodisia Book Club Subscription, two unique products in the “What Would You Do With This?” contest, and “Finding Derek,” where visitors will get to vote for THE Derek Mitchell — after I find him. I hope you’ll stop by and check it out.