So what does an author of colonial historical romance do on President’s day when she’s off from her RL job and she has the kids?

I had planned to take out some large chunks of time and devote it to my current work in progress that is becoming a Herculean effort. But instead, I cleaned the heck out of my room while watching the History Channels presentations on the presidents. They only played from Washington to Lincoln. But I enjoyed it.

Of course, that led to plot bunnies and more inspiration. I can’t take NEW ideas right now. I can store them away for a while until it’s time for their turn. I’ll be damned if I never finish this book. I have 14 to finish before I get to my next ‘thing’ whatever that may be. I hate that I can’t finish anything. But it will happen.

Now that H is not showing anymore presidents day stuff, I pulled up my Netflix and have one of my favorite musicals playing. 1776 There you go for more inspiration.

What inspires, or derails you?

Oh, and by the way, a Plot off is just brainstorming with my author pals and pluging plot holes.

No, I’m not singing ‘vintage’ songs…I’m communicating with my daughter. I’ve always known, and been taught that nonverbal cues constitutes the majority of our communication. So after three attempts at telling my daughter to put on socks to no avail, I put both hands on my hips, pursed my lips and glared at her, wide eyed with my eyebrows raised. No foot tapping occurred. But she took one look at me, detoured back upstairs and voila! No longer barefooted.

This got me to thinking about my writing and how I could make it stronger. Without words I compelled my sweet baby to do something. So, without telling you, the reader, I could explain the nonverbal cues, and compel you to feel and experience what the characters do/say/feel/hear/et cetera.

I wish it were that easy.

We all want to be liked. Let’s face it. It’s natural to desire approval. This could be true in varying degrees. Some people cultivate this naturally. Others seek it out, subtly or blatantly.

I don’t have that ‘it’ factor that some do, which garners that natural reaction of, “Oh, I LIKE her. I like HER.” But I do have enough confidence to feel that some people, with only moderate encouragement would say, “Oh, her, sure, she’s alright.” And I’m ok with that.

I have been known to look in the mirror and give myself pep talks, a la Stuart Smally. Those silly little moments really do wonders for ones psyche and ego. It was in that vein that I created a Facebook page for myself. It would be nice to have fans. And not just those in my family. (Thanks you guys!)

So then, why was I pleasantly surprised that I got fans? And even moreso to get a new twitter follow out of it. (Jennifer Keller, HI! and thank you)
I think it’s the nebulous concept of fans and fandom that leaks to the possible fanaticism that makes once fame starved celebrities shirk at the ’sudden’ onset of notoriety. I have no illusions that I will attain those heights (or lows as it were) but I do desire to have a respectable following.
As I am wont to do, I began thinking about fans. About the word fan. I assumed, erroneously that it was derived from the word fanatic. But NAY, according to wikipedia, it is short for fancy. Do you fancy that new colonial romance author? Why yes, I do.
To quote: There are certain common characteristics to be found in fans interested in different topics and these characteristics influence the behaviors of those involved in fan behavior. Those common characteristics include internal involvement.[1] Fans focus more of their time and resources intently on a specific area of interest than a non-fan would, and are not significantly concerned if non-fans (including family or friends) do not derive pleasure from the area of interest. Fans usually have a strong enough interest that some changes in their lifestyles are made to accommodate devotion to the focal object. As well, fans have a desire for external involvement – are motivated to demonstrate their involvement with the area of interest through certain behaviors (attending conventions, posting online, etc.). Fans often have a “wish to acquire” material objects related to the area of interest, such as a baseball hit by a famous slugger or a used guitar pick from their musical hero. As well, some fans have a desire for social interaction with other fans. This again may take many forms, from casual conversation, e-mail, chat rooms, and electronic mailing lists to regular face-to-face meetings such as fan club meetings and organized conventions.

Wow. I don’t think I’ll be auctioning off any of my sundry items; but the original (garbage) handwritten pages of Constance might be valuable once I sell the whole series to Hallmark for a movie.

In light of this and the fact that I’m watching the Golden Globes with some feigned interest, I want to thank my fans. All 33 of you. While I write with the hope that others enjoy my work, I do so out of the joy of the art.
Because I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggonit! People Like me!

My ideas come so sporadically sometimes that when I need to be productive I have to force it. And usually that doesn’t amount to very good work. They say that bad work is better than no work.
Why is it when I have projects for non writing tasks, the pressure just adds to the allure and quality of the piece? It’s not for lack of passion that my writing suffers. Discipline, maybe. Well, I do have a theory…it’s chemical. My muse gets silenced at times. But if I don’t partake of this Adult ADD thing then everything else suffers. You read (i hope) my previous post in which I described my ADD. It was not an exaggeration. Now, it was an example of my more hyper times. It’s not always like that.

One way that I ‘force’ myself to do whatever is to minimize distractions. I like too much and usually all at once. I feel like i’ll miss something if I don’t keep it at hand. TV, twitter, FB, Divas. Whatever. Well, this is obviously not conducive to writing. So I do a small exercise to refocus myself. I switch projects to do something quick and less stressful, like a blog post for example. And once I ‘prime’ myself I feel refocused and ready to take on the task at hand. It also helps when the demand is down. I serve in multiple roles.
That is really no surprise. Wife, mother, housekeeper. Full time job that is quite demanding.
So, today I took a mental day. Day off from FT job. Got some housework done without feeling pressured. Less guilt now to sit down at pc and enjoy.

*sigh*
So now I can work on my other job. my unpaying one. The one that I feel could pay off in the long run if my ambitions are met. You know, the whole colonial series being contracted and made into movies for Hallmark channel. (Hey it’s okay to dream and I could dream bigger, but really, I think that’s pretty lofty!)

But it won’t go anywhere if I don’t ‘get ‘r’ done’ So, after this side project called today’s blog post, I will write. I will finish these last few pages of edits and I WILL WRITE!

right?

We’ll see. Another tool to get in gear is the timed challenges. I have spoken of these before in my You gotta have friends post.
Off I go. What? You want to challenge too? Be my guest!

Compromising Positions releases today!

Falling in love is the last thing on his busy agenda…but compromising positions can lead just about anywhere.

David Strong knows how to do a lot of things—run an international fitness company, finesse stock portfolios and stay out of emotional entanglements. That is, until he gets tangled up with Sophie Delfino and her Sensational Sex workout. He’s supposed to help her demonstrate Kama Sutra positions for her couples’ yoga class. The rigorous postures require more than just physical control. And his co-instructor unexpectedly tests his control to the limit.

Sophie’s been fantasizing about David since her teens, but she never dreamed she’d actually be expected to run through her intimate desires—with an audience! The class is very professional, tame even—or it would be, if she’d been in any of the positions before. But she hasn’t—except in her wildest fantasies about David. Sophie knows she wants David in every way, and she’s flexible enough to use whatever she has to get him.

David can’t afford any unexpected distractions. Besides the sensual positions he has to endure without embarrassing himself in public, there’s an embezzler stealing from his company. And then there’s Sophie—who is well on her way to stealing his well-guarded heart.

Warning: This is one exercise program you won’t need to consult your doctor before beginning…unless he’s hot and available for house calls. The Kama Sutra isn’t for the prudish or faint of heart, and neither is this story.

Read An Excerpt Online

REVIEWS

“With sensual love scenes, flirty repartee, and a man and woman clearly meant to be together, you get everything you could ever want in a romance novel. Overall, I have to say that Compromising Positions is a must read!”
~ Long and Short Reviews

“Compromising Positions would have to be one of the best contemporary romance novels I have read in a long time. Jenna Bayley-Burke delivers it all, romance, humor, and great chemistry between her hero and heroine. It is so well written. The pace is great, and the story line fantastic.”
~ Fallen Angel Reviews

“This thoroughly enjoyable romantic comedy has likable characters and a smart, spitfire heroine…Bayley-Burke delivers a really fun read. ”
~Romantic Times

So I have four google chrome pages up. I’m eating, watching tv and playing a game. I’m listening to music and I’m blogging. But how can any one thing get my full attention?

Well, it can’t. But it allows my easily distracted brain to not get bored. My current fascination is with the Celtic Woman clips on youtube . PBS had a showcase of their talent and I went to find more. And as I do, I had to find out about them. One of the members names is Maeve. A very lovely name. It will feature in one of my colonial books.

But for now I have the music playing on an autoplay, finding not only that particular group, but others with similar musical qualities. And it’s inspiring. While I should be continuing my work on the never ending novel of Constance, I’m moved to write Maeve. I don’t even have her story fleshed out yet. But the sounds move me. At least the accompaniment is peaceful. Very pleasant a soundtrack for writing, or for playing games or for ….oh look, a kitty.

For an author, I don’t write much. According to one acquaintance, I should blog more. And I guess I should. Well, I know I should. If anyone expresses interest in me, I get googled. And according to FaceBook applications, it appears I’m rare. They said I was the only Leigh Royals. Which feels pretty good. But really? The only one? How many people did they ask/look through?

If I am the only one, which, sorry FB, but I think I’m not, that would be great. Neat! Heard of that author? Leigh Royals? The ONLY LR in the world? (the FB world, sure.) Yeah, she’s that awesome writer of historical romance? Can’t you tell how much she loves history by her words? She must have researched the revolutionary war for days! Hours! Can you imagine?

That would be nice.

You know another nice thing? My books can be (er…will be) found between Nora Roberts and Danielle Steele. (Roy is after Rob and before Ste….) I didn’t plan that but rather noticed it after I settle on my name. It’s good to be me….

So, what have YOU all been doing? Oh fans and friends of mine?

Agent #1 Pro’s: Over 25 years experience

Clients on NYTBS

Very well respected.

Writer and agent.

Has spoken at conferences. Quite knowledgable.

Con’s:    Doesn’t cover romance.

Agent #2: Pro’s:  Young and eager.

She “is” the market.

Represents a wide variety of romance, one of my favorite authors included.

Will advise clients against a deal if it suits them better.

Con’s: Says my genre is running out of fresh stories (did I read that right?)

Agent #3: Pro’s:  Has a sense of humor, wry cutting wit.

strong editor and copyrighter

Con’s: New to the agenting world

Agent #4:  Pro’s: AAR member

Con’s: doesn’t take unsolicited queries. (Per P&E)

So, the search continues….

Sometimes I wonder if I should even bother with an agent yet….

There’s a song in my head right now. “I wanna be like Harry Houdini…” I can’t remember the whole song or even the point. But it’s there. Thank you Squirrel Nut Zippers.

But it got me thinking. There have been a variety of marketing done with that phrase in mind. Remember “If I could be like Mike?”

Or, “Don’t be like…” Avoid the noid, stuff like that.

But who do I want to be like? At work, my coworkers like to tease and say I’m like our Director. (all in all not a bad thing, but they don’t mean it well.) Which bothers me, because I want them to see me for me.

I want to emulate goodness. I want to be like the kind of someone whom one would want to be like. How do you do that? Mom would say, “Just be yourself.”

Well, that’s silly. Who else could I be?

Is that my answer?

Can it just be, I want to be like…me?

I am tickled with that title. I’d like to think of myself as witty and clever. Truth is, my humor is less wry than corny. But I digress.

This weekend I had the privilege to drive a four hour trip to a beautiful destination. The beauty of which I enjoyed far less than I wanted. Time permitting, duty and all that. I only wish I had a decent camera to capture two particular images. One, the most amazing reflection of a sunset through stratus cloud cover over a marsh, and two, the cute Scotsman in a kilt at the resort where my conference was. (I kid you not, I asked for directions just to hear him talk!) Oh. Again. I digress.

The point: (teeehee, I’m blushing.) I didn’t know this area. Still don’t. So, my beloved husband, (with a lovely spanish accent of his own…see a theme here?) let me use his GPS. I am so grateful I had that. I certainly would have been lost.

First  of all, in Hilton Head Island, SC there is this notion of ‘nature preserve’ that while I find it’s an admirable and noble cause, it surely makes for more difficult habitation of humans. The buildings are uniform in color. Nature tones. Greys, browns. Meh. Ok. It’s alright. Then too, there are far less street lights than I would have imagined. I could not see 300 feet in front of me. I was turning into parking lots I thought were roads and not getting the turns I needed because I thought they were driveways. In the day time, much easier. With Ms. Garmin, fairly easier. But, she didn’t tell me to turn in until I was right on the spot. I’m sure there were annoyed motorists behind me. Unless, Like I, they were directionally challenged.

It is lovely to have these navigation tools. If I did, and boy, I did more than a handful of times, make a wrong turn, it would sing to me in that lovely stilted voice, “Re-cal-cul-at-ing.” What a relief to know that I could go any wrong way, and she would guide me back from that circle I inadvertently entered. Although, once or twice she gave me the longer version. (such as in Charleston. I could see that I only needed to go straight. She wanted me to make a right, a left then a right?)

Wouldn’t it be nice if there were such a tool to use when we write? As soon as I head hop something says, “Re-cal-cul-at-ing.” Or if I veer far from the plot that chime sounds to redirect me?

Well, there’s not. You just have to keep practicing and honing your craft. And it is a craft. (yes, I started a sentence with And. Shoot me.) So, read ‘maps’ for writing. They do exist. When you think you’ve made a wrong turn, refer to that map.

Good luck, and safe journey.