Do you accept me: Where it all began...for me at least.

I was in 8th grade or it was probably the summer before 8th grade and my dad bought me the sequel to one of my favorite movies, The Prophecy with Christopher Walken, Eric Stoltz, and Viggo Mortensen. Can you say yum? I had already had an attraction to angels, I believe, from the amount that I liked that movie so of course I had to watch 2.

Enter angel Danyeal (hottie Russell Wong), He has come to Earth and a woman "hits" him with her car she takes him in to care for him and of course they end up doing the due. During the sex having Danyeal asks the hottest words ever muttered on full screen, "Do you accept me?" Oh my Gawd! My little 13 year old heart went pitter pat. The woman, of course says yes and BAM, it is done...his angel seed is planted and days later she is like in advance pregnancy. What happens next is interesting but it is not important for this post. Because up until that moment, I wasn't aware of the fact that Angels can and have been with human women and now was aware. The thought was so hott to me.

I love bad boys so a fallen angel?...Yes I find that appealing, very (in fantasy life ok? So any angels reading this if you were to approach me in real life I would turn you down...regretfully). I don't like the Demon fallen angel mind you I don't find them sexy. They scare me, but the ones that love God but only have fallen for love? Oh yea I find that damn Hott! Every girl wants that! A guy to choice her over everything else? Yes! Most women won't admit it but I will. Yes, deep down I want a guy to pick me over any and everything and one. I do. I am not ashamed to say it, PICK ME DAMN IT! So a Nephilims or Nephalims (as I spell it in my books because there are many celestial beings who took human wives the A for the angels that bore/spawned them) they are the ultimate bad boy that make the ultimate choice for love. Yes, I wants that.

"Fallen Angel" by Dalia Kochnev

©Dalia Kochnev. All rights reserved!

He was sitting there, staring into nothing, looking like it, and if it wasn't for the wings, one would never come close. And none of the people walking by would see them.

He hadn't been banished.

 He walked away.

That is why I write novels about fallen angels. That is why I read novels about fallen angels. That is why I love fallen angels and love what I do...



Keep writing, reading and sharing,

Casse NaRome!

If my current WIP were a movie...

I was going to blog about the hotness of Fallen Angels but I cannot find the picture I want anywhere so I will try and get it scanned for my next post.  Lucky for us thought there are plenty pictures of the actor and actress from my favorite show Being Human on BBC/BBC America. 

If I were to make my WIP into a movie I would beg that they cast Aiden Turner and Lenora Crichlow!
Here are the Heroine and Hero of Death Knows My Name...Of course Aiden would have to get a little more "Solid/lean muscles" & paint on a face tattoo but he is so hott!  Enjoy.

Also more important here are some links I find helpful: Query Shark and LarsenPomada.com

Keep writing, reading and sharing,
Casse NaRome!

Mythos of an Author

You hear a lot of horror stories about writers who don't want to help one another out and in my experience this far, I find that completely untrue. I have only come across wonderful women who are always willing to help and offer advice. The authors I have come across are down to earth and want to lead you in the right direction. So if anyone tells you published authors want to keep the aspiring writers out because they are afraid of competition, I am telling you that is for the most part false, authors love books so of course they want new voices out there because they want to read your books too. I am sure there are a few less than helpful ones but thank God I have not come across them.




Also people often mistake an author's unwillingness to read an aspiring writers manuscript as being snooty, but that is not the case. They are covering themselves. I understand that completely. So if you ask an author tells you no, don't get rude on them because they are not trying to be unhelpful but they really have to protect themselves. If you want a published author reading your MS I would suggest getting a mentor.



This leads me to Critique Partners and groups. This is an important relationship I have found out. I love all aspiring writers so I am always willing to read other aspiring writers WIP or finished MS to tell them my opinions and feedback. It is just who I am. I love books and want to help get good ones out into the world so if I can help by reading a fellow writer's work than by all means, I will do it! But being a CP is a responsibility. It is a give and take. I take my CPing duties seriously. I have heard horror stories of hateful CPs just tearing their partner down; I can only assume it is out of jealousy or trying to make sure no one will make it before them. I find that ridiculous! When one of my CPs do well I am celebrating just as hard as them. I am over the moon happy for them and I walk around with a grin on my face like it's my MS. Why? Because I love love love books, writing and writers so I want success of all these things.

I try and make sure my partnership is not one sided but if I see that my partner is closer than I am I will focus on helping them and I let them take the spotlight and not email them every day like did you read mine did you read mine did you read mine yet? Because when it comes down to it, they have to work too and my time will come soon too so it’s a give and take- ying and yang.



RWA.org has a great handout where it talks about all the partnerships a writer may possibly have. Here is the link. Hope it helps. And if you write romance, I recommend joining Romance Writers of America


Keep writing, reading and sharing,
Casse

Just finish the first draft THEN edit.

That is what I have been screaming at myself because my internal editor/perfectionist is killing my word count. I keep trying to explain that I can revise until my heart is content but first finish the story!



I need need need to finish this MS. You wouldn't think it would be all that hard since it is already outlined the last 4 chapters. It seems so good too but I am nervous. Bad critique has shaken me a bit. It is actually the first taste of negative feedback on this particular project. I can feel my gator skin growing nice and think. Because although I know you have to have thick skin in this business you also have to be able to pick apart the feedback and decide what you need and what you need to throw away to keep the story true to what you are trying to tell, it is hard to hear some things.



I am thinking about submitting a short story to cellstories and smashwords. Two different stories. The cellstories is a short story on a girl’s first time and is very sweet. And the smashwords is I am not sure exactly but it will be paranormally and fantasy like. I will let yall know and I am going to try and outline and not fly into the mist. Wish me luck.



Casse

This is my co-author

Thanks for reading!

Casse NaRome & Zoey!

Just a quick update

I have been doing a lot of old school writing lately, you know pen and paper. I hate this because that means I have to type it up later. That is not my favorite thing to do and my assistant... erm I mean sister refuses to do it for me, not like my hand writing is even readable either. But oh well I still have some pages to type up too, so my word count on the sidebar of blog is lower (much) than it should be.


The reason I am rocking it old school is because I try and squeeze some writing in at work because usually during the week I may have to watch the Monster, because she likes to say "surprise" I am not sleeping tonight and the devoted aunnie that I am stop my writing time and cater to my Zoey Monster. So on those days my daily word count depends on that old school writing I did at my day job. I get less interruptions at my day job (which is customer service at a grocery store) than I do at home in the wee hours of the morning. What can I say, my house hold is a bunch of early workers, which is weird since we all love to sleep.

I have a writing window of midnight (I get home from work usually around 10 so midnight everyone else has laid down for the night so I can sit and write.) Until 3:50 a.m when the first alarm goes off. And if Zoey wants to play and not sleep before 3:50 the window is smaller. But it's the aspiring writer's life I wouldn't change it. I don't complain because at least there is no deadlines! Imagine if I had a deadline like published authors do? I would go crazy, so its easy now because it's my own time. I will get it done.



I have been doing more editing lately than writing. I had to get chapter 6-10 into one of my CPs hands and then go over the edits and suggestions for Chapter 1-5 that CP sent me so I can send it to CP two to comb through. She has English degrees out the wah-zoo sooo I am pretty sure she is going to shake her head and think boy Casse is an idiot. I have no idea the proper comma us and I am in love with ellipsis. You know what most people call dot dot dot (...) Yes it has a proper name! I figured I should know it since I use it so much lol.



Well I have to go, the alarm should go off in oh 2 minutes, so my writing work day is now...done.



Keep writing and keep sharing,

Casse!

Romancing my romance: Putting the Romance in my Paranormal

I just realized that I need to romance up my freaking romance.  This is harder that one my think.  Why, you ask?  Because I don't live in a romance novel so I have to pull this stuff out of somewhere and not make it so sweet that it gags me.  Hard stuff, because my ideas of romance is a guy buying my cat a cat toy and me food!  That does not cross over well into a romance novel. lol  Now, throw in paranormal and you have a different ballgame!  How do these people find time to save the world, have mind-blowing sexxor and ROMANCE each other.

My hero needs to step the hell up!  He is letting his heroine spend too much time with her friends when he should be taking her when and where ever she can be had!  Because I think her best friend is waiting in the wings hoping to be her one day guy (if we aren't married by 35 guy.) 

This is what I am dealing with so I am hitting up my CPs for suggestions, well not just them but everyone.  How the hell can I bring the sexxy back and put the romance back in my Paranormal love affair?!

Heeeelp!

Keep writing, sharing and reading,
Casse NaRome

No news is good news except, when it's bad news.

Okay, I found out that I did not make the finals of the writing contest.  But that is fine.  I actually found out Thursday night when I peeked at the Yellow Rose RWA chapter prez' blog and she said all finalist had been notified and since I wasn't notified by process of deduction, it wasn't me :-D  See I am a great detective. 

At first I was supper bummed and didn't want to write but when I get prime inspiration dropped in my lap via one of my best friends, it's hard not to snatch it up and seize the day.  I am sure either my CP or my hard ass wench of a beta reader (love you cousin) will hate it and demand that it not make the final cut.  It cheered me up to write and I snickered the entire time while writing it.  So here it is witthout further adou.

*******

  It was dark as Becca drove me to the airport. She tapped the wheel with her long slender




fingers to the music. She suddenly sat up straight in her seat and turned her head to look at the



restaurant that we had just passed.



“Eyes on the road Becca, I am serious. I knew I should have taken a cab.” I scolded as I



shook my head.



“Was that Eric Bana we just passed? I think it was.”



I shrugged. “In Washington, I highly doubt it.”



“No, I am for real. I think it was Bana!”



I rolled my eyes. “Oh sure. Who cares Becca. You are married and not like he would



choose you over me and I, am off the market.” I flipped my hair hotly. Taken by another Eric.



I added silently and fought to hide my grin behind my hand and failing miserably.



She glared at me. But I only pointed to the road trying to draw her attention back to it.



Sheesh. How the hell did she get her license when she never freaking paid attention to what was



in front of her.



“What Becca, it’s not like you have a good track record? Remember when you claimed to see



Hugh Jackman?” I threw out there innocently.



“I did! At the stop light on the corner in Blue Ridge you know the light that stays red forever.



We both looked over at one another at the same time. It was a moment, Mayne.”



I stared at the side of her face to show my disbelief. “Uh-huh. In Seattle because all the



hunky Hollywood stars hang out here.”



She eased on the brake at a four way stop and turned to me pointing angrily. “Hugh and I



shared a moment. It was real and it was deep!”



I laughed. “No, Becca you and a random nobody shared a long red light stare down.  Sounds creepy to me



but I guess it was the hottest 5 seconds of your life. I am sure to that poor upper-class Joe Shmoe, it was



something too. Red light love. Hey maybe Jackman will make that a Broadway play?”



“You are one mean little woman when you want to be. You will see. One day Hugh is going



to be talking about the one who got away and guess what. He will tell the red light story.” She



huffed at me pouting. I turned my head so I can grin out the window. She was crazy and I



missed her all this time. I was glad now I could spend more time with her. Now that I knew



that I wouldn’t bring anymore pain.



My heart suddenly clenched. When she died, she wouldn’t be my memory to keep but



Anya’s. I sighed and shook my head. I had to find away to stop this. I was one thing but



Anya that was another. I didn’t want her to be as confused as I was growing up.



Becca stopped and I looked at her confused. I guess I had been lost in my thoughts because



we had made it to the airport.



She raised her eyebrow. “We are here. What? Did you want curb side service?”



“No, it’s just, that was fast.”



“Want me to drive around the block?” She asked teasingly.



“No. You could have least pulled up to the unloading zone.”



“It’s packed and I don’t want to wait. Luke is with the girls and he wants to put them to bed



early so we can-.”



I hopped out the car. “Ewl. Too much Rebecca. I don’t care.” I yanked my bags from the



car and closed the door. I took a step away from the car and as she prepared to pull away I went



back and opened the door and bent down to peek inside. “I love you sis.”



Her eyes widened and the she smiled softly. “I love you too. Call me when you get home.”



I nodded agreeing that I would. I knew that deep down that this time, I really would call her. I



smiled and turned from the car and dragged my bags towards the airport entrance as she pulled



away.

Nerve racking

  I hate putting myself up for abuse and that is exactly what I did.  This past January, I joined Yellow Rose which is a chapter of RWA and then entered the "Winter Rose" contest.  WHY!  I was so calm and peaceful with only a few panic moments when I thought "someone could be reading my words right now.
  Well, tomorrow is the day I find out if they loved it or hated it and I am on pins and needles.  I am crazy nervous.  I know I should get use to it but I need a drink.  I have been snapping at people all day.  I am seriously surprised my day job didn't fire me.  I did not provide very good customer service today.
  *Sigh*  I have changed a lot of my WIP I entered since January so I am nervous about that.  I wish I was better prepared for the contest because I would possibly be a little less nervous.
  I will post how it goes later, if you hear sobbing from my corner of Texas, yep it's me. 

Casse NaRome