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Anne Marie    

While I was writing Her Reluctant Rancher, I needed to find an unusual fundraiser for Beth, who was trying to raise money to build a library.  I wanted something different and I remembered seeing a late-night sitcom where people were playing basketball on donkeys.  I Googled donkey basketball and discovered that donkey basketball was actually a real fundraising business and voile! I had a great fundraiser for Beth’s pet project.

As I wrote and incorporated the donkey basketball into the story, pieces started falling into place.  Character traits for my hero and heroine were revealed.  It showed to what lengths Beth would go to raise money for the library.  It highlighted Trevor’s dislike of participating in team sports; he preferred individual sports like golf and tennis.  And it became a very important turning point in the story when Trev was injured and Beth discovered she was in love with him.

Writing is always an adventure.  By choosing donkey basketball as Beth’s major fundraiser, key story points and character traits emerged just like magic.  If I had picked some other fundraiser, my story would probably have been very different.

Here’s an excerpt from Her Reluctant Rancher:

Trev followed Dave onto the court. He couldn’t believe he was on the back of a donkey. He concentrated
on keeping his balance, because he sure didn’t want to fall on his butt like the police chief.

He reminded himself he was doing this for Beth. Maybe he could make a couple of baskets and score some
points. Would she cheer for him? Would she be proud? Why did he care?

The announcer finished his pre-game spiel and the mayor won the toss. He passed the ball to one of his team
mates. The councilman took it down court, passed it to another player. Trev watched the guy twist, catch the
ball, then slide right off the donkey’s back. Ouch.

The ball was loose and Dave dismounted and grabbed it. He dropped it twice before finally remounting.
Trev sidled up beside him.

Dave grinned. “You and me, buddy. Go deep. I’ll pass it. Try for three points.”

“Not greedy, are we?”

“Hey, might as well go for it.”

“Right.”

Urging his donkey toward the goal, Trev successfully stopped the animal on the three-point line. Then Dave
dropped the damn ball. Trev groaned. The priest retrieved it and rode for the opposite goal. A nice toss and the padre scored.
The band played a victory song and the crowd went wild.

Damn.

Trev trotted over to Dave. “What was that?”

Dave shrugged. “I messed up. So sue me.”

“Strategy isn’t going to work in this game,” Trev said.

“Next time, go for the points.”

“This is supposed to be a team effort, Callahan.”

“We’re on donkeys, for crying out loud.”

“It’s just a game, buddy.”

“Yeah, right.” Trev hated to lose.

On the next play, Trev saw a chance to score. He stole the ball from the mayor and took it down the court.
Dave was up ahead. “Pass, Callahan. I’m wide open. Pass the ball.”

Trev didn’t want to pass the ball. He wanted to score the points. This was why he hated team sports. You had
to share the glory. Share the win. But there was no way in hell he could take a shot. His way was blocked. Damn.

He passed the ball to Dave. His friend neatly avoided two oncoming opponents and lobbed the ball. It swooshed
through the net and the crowd cheered.

Yes! Their team was winning. Trev was determined to make the next goal. He jerked on the reins, trying to
get his donkey to turn around. The animal tossed its head and stood still.

Trev tried again with no success. Was he going to have to get off the damn animal and push him? This had
to be the craziest thing he’d ever done in his life. Who the hell had invented donkey basketball anyway? Whoever it
was, he ought to be—

Before he could finish the thought, Trev felt himself flying over the donkey’s head. He hit the floor with a painful thud and suddenly everything went black.

Anne Marie   

Two things have been missing in my life this past summer. The first is hummingbirds. I love hummingbirds! They are quaint little creatures that are extremely territorial; they zip through the air like fighter jets, swooping and soaring at rocket speeds.

Every spring, I hang out my red feeders, waiting in happy anticipation for the first sighting. This spring, I waited in vain. I saw one hummer, then none. No worries, I said to myself. The influx of hummers usually comes in around Father’s Day. June came and disappointment ruled again. Where were all the hummingbirds?

The second thing missing in my life lately is my writing. I’ve been in a slump so long; it’s downright scary. My muse seems to have taken flight with the hummingbirds and stayed away. Not that I should wait for the muse to strike in order to write; writing should be an ingrained habit; just sit at the keyboard and do it. I’m sorry to say I’ve fallen out of the habit, and it’s making my life miserable.

So what’s wrong with me? I have a beautiful writing office, a lovely laptop, a published book and
another contracted and ready for release. Why do I still let the doubt demons rule? I don’t have the answer to that. Many of my writing friends also fall prey to the doubt demons, so I’m not alone.

But I must say, things are looking up. Last week, the hummingbirds returned with a vengeance. I put out my five feeders, and the tiny creatures are zipping and zooming all over the place. I’m also happy to say that my muse showed up, too. I’m working on a new novella, and I’m excited about the story. I also pulled out one of my favorite manuscripts and read it. Not bad. I’m going to polish that sucker up and send it to my editor. Because I am a writer, damn it. And that’s what writers do.

AM     

Last week, I had one of those "writerly" moments; you know, the kind that makes you smile, makes you glad you're a writer.  My writerly moment reinforced the fact that of course I AM a writer; it doesn't matter that I'm down in the dumps and believe I can't write worth a squat and that I'll never finish another story, or won't be able to think of a new story... you know--the doubt demon affliction.  Writers get it all the time.  Even though I've completed eight manuscripts, sold two and have several in the works, doubt demons still plague the devil out of me.

Anyway, I've been working on a story for the past year, but can't seem to get beyond a certain point.  I printed out a hard copy, went through it with a red pen, entered the edits on the computer and figured out where I went wrong and thought I might finally be ready to move on.  After backing up the new copy,( I'm pretty obsessive about backing up), for some odd reason, I decided to look through my document files.  I came across one named "Arabella.doc" and brought it up.  The manuscript was formatted and I had fourteen pages written, but for the life of me I couldn't remember writing it.  I know I wrote it, because my name was up there in the header. <g>

I started reading it and hooked myself!  OMG!!!  I couldn't believe I had actually written it!  The writing was crisp, the pacing fast, the characters delicious... OMG!!!

The thing was, I had no notes, no project notebook, no character charts, nothing in regards to my usual pre-writing rituals.  I'd obviously decided to write it by the seat of my pants, with no prep work at all.

Needless to say, I'm hooked on the story, the hero and the heroine, and I've been writing on it ever since (still by the seat of my pants).  I'm having fun again, and isn't that what's it all about?

This will be my first novella.  I've been wanting to write short for some time now, because I want more ebooks out there on the cyber-shelves.  I believe there's a market for shorter stories in digital format, and I want in on it. <g>

Just thought I'd share...

AM     

Look for

CHASING THE MOONLIGHT

 from The Wild Rose Press


Bad boy Mitch Defalco roars into Stone Creek, Texas, on the back of a Harley with his newly discovered daughter riding behind him. Single mom Sarah Cooper cannot believe he's moved next door. Mitch dated her older sister back in high school, and Sarah had a secret crush on him.
As Mitch struggles with his new role of fatherhood, Sarah admires how he's turned his life around. She asks him to help her with a problem: her fear of men. Mitch knows he's bad news for sexy Sarah, but how can he refuse her dangerous request, when she's determined to move forward, with or without his help?

Coming Soon!!!

Twice a year I host a month-long writathon, one in April (Madness), the other in October (Obsession).  During these months, writers commit to writing, whether new pages, tweaking old pages, plotting out mss, etc.  It doesn't matter what you work on, as long as you get back to writing. One friend writes songs, so there you go.  

Some of us let life get in the way and make excuses not to write.  "Oh, I'll write tomorrow," many of us think, but somehow tomorrow never comes.  We procrastinate and put it off.  As a result, we're loaded with guilt and remorse for not writing.

April Madness provides many of us a much-needed kick in the rear and a jump-start to get back on the writing wagon, to get back in the groove.

There's a BIAM Yahoo loop where BIAMers cheer each other on and commiserate with set-backs.  It's not a very busy loop, but we're there if you need us.  There's also a database to keep track of your progress.  Also, there's a dungeon where you can lock up your inner critic and internal editor.  There are files with encouraging articles and helpful links.

If you are interested in joining the Madness, visit my website at www.annemarienovark.com and contact me from there.  Look for information about BIAM (Book in a Month) in the side-bar.

Come join the Madness!!!

Hey Everyone!!!

I'm having a book signing this coming Saturday, March 21st, down in League City at Boomerang Books from 1-4pm.  I'm signing with two other Wild Rose Press Authors, Anna Kathryn Lanier and Skhye Moncrief.  Come join the fun.  We'll have prizes and refreshments and of course, copies of our books.

Boomerang Books
907 W. Main St. (FM518)
League City, TX  77573
281-316-1404

Hope to see some of you on Saturday!!!

Anne Marie 

No place like Texas. No place like home.

These two themes appear again and again in many of the stories I write. I’ve lived in Texas all of my life. Texas is in my blood and in my soul. Home and family are very important to me. I’m lucky to have most of my family living close by.

When people think of Texas, they usually think about cowboys, ranches and horses. But Texas is more than that. It’s not just a place; it’s an attitude, a state of mind. Everything is bigger and better in Texas, or so it seems to those of us living here.

My favorite kind of hero is tall, dark and Texan. Whether a rugged sexy cowboy or a single-dad teaching at the local high school, these heroes are strong men waiting for strong women to call their own—no matter how hard they fight it, no matter how loudly they deny it.

I hope you enjoy reading about my Lone Star Heroes and the women they fall in love with.

There are those who say life’s too short not to live it as a Texan. I say life’s too short not to LOVE a Texan.

Happy Reading!!!

Anne Marie  

Available NOW!!!

Construction tycoon Trevor Callahan returns to Stone Creek, Texas, to settle his grandfather’s estate. He wants to sell the Rocking C Ranch so he can put his unhappy past behind him and move on. Living with his stern grandfather taught Trev an important lesson: Caring makes a man weak.

Single-mom Beth Evans once confused lust for love and will never let it happen again. She drives the Stone Creek bookmobile and is trying to raise funds to build a new library. In his will, Hank Callahan bequeathed a million dollars for the project, but attached one stipulation: Do not let his grandson sell the ranch.

HER RELUCTANT RANCHER ISBN 1-60154-251-8

To order a digital copy: www.thewildrosepress.com

To order in paperback: www.amazon.com
                                        www.barnesandnoble.com