It's about time for an update since it's been forever since posting last. When you come to a blog written by an erotic romance writer, you expect to find some hot, juicy stories. In time you will, but for now my life is still in transition. Later, after the holding pattern I'm in comes to an end life will be normal again. But for now, please bear with me. In less than three months I hope to be divorced. Till then, it's like I said. I'm in a holding pattern like a jet over LaGuardia Airport.


My alter-ego (I don't know what else to call her) is writing when she can, but sometimes has a hard time sticking with it. Her priority is to finish a contemporary romance she's working on. If you have a pen name, do you sometimes feel like  you have a split personality when you speak from either party? Don't you hate when that happens? That's what it feels like now, because I'm writing this as the "real" writer, but under Jade Rose's name. Confusing to those who don't use pen names, I'm sure, but after all, I'm a writer and I'm used to being in other people's heads, even if they are made up people.But, give me a few minutes and I can get into yours.

I'll get busy as soon as I can to finish my Christmas story and get it out to publishers. When that time comes you can come here and read a heated romance, I promise! Till then, or till whenever . . . Jade

Resolutions or Goals. Which do You Prefer?

I prefer to make goals instead of resolutions. A goal is – Goal- noun- the aim or object towards which an endeavor is directed. A resolution is – noun-- a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something. As I see it the key word here is firm. A firm decision. Look at determination. You’re determined to do this, whatever it is. But back to a goal. A goal is to aim toward something. I choose to set goals, to have something to aim for. Too many things can get in the way of a resolution. If you set a goal, it’s what you are aiming for.

Goals should be short term. It’s much easier to reach a short term goal. I don’t know about you, but if I think it will take me three months instead of a year, I am more likely to stick with it. When writing, I don’t look towards the end of the book, although that is the GOAL of course. I think of one chapter, one word, one scene at a time. I know I’m going to get to the end of a book, but my goal is to sit and write as much as I can. If I set a goal of 1000 words then I’ll aim for 1000 words, not 80,000 words. Eighty thousand words seems forever to reach, but 1000 words is attainable. No matter what your goal is, make it a short term plan.

If something happens one day that keeps you from your goal then it’s okay. Don't beat yourself over the head. Tomorrow is a new day, and you are close to your goal anyway because you set it to be short term-- reachable. You know it won’t be long before you have met the first phase of it. So, go ahead, set your goals for the New Year. Take it one step, or one day at a time. If you run into a wall one day, then start all over the next day. You can do it; soon you’ll be there. Think about your favorite book. Someone had to take one day at a time, one word, or one chapter. Plan it, think about it, and work at it. Get started!

You can meet your goals—
· Take it slow.
· Be consistent.
· Set short term goals.
· Think positive.
· Start over if you fall.
· Don’t give up.
· Be proud of yourself.
· Reward yourself!

Good Luck!

What is your goal for 2011?

Summer Time Blues

Summer vacation is about over. In a matter of a few days it will be like it was never here, but I have some pleasant memories to keep me reminded of the hot summer nights, full moons, starry skies, and late nights of writing romance. One story is completed and nearly through it's second editing. Summer seems so short in Michigan. Winter is so long, blah! We complain about hot days and muggy nights, and with reason, but when it starts to fade into fall, it feels sad. Life changes in many ways. Coats come out of closets, windows get frosted, the shovel comes out, and we have to make sure the window scraper is in the car. But, for now, I choose to remain in summer mode.

Labor Day will soon be here and I have to return to work.   No more late nights and sleeping in. P.J.'s are traded for work attire. Writing for hours will turn to writing when I can get it in. (Although I am going to force myself to get a writing schedule.)

My writing plan is to finish editing my holiday themed story and submit it. My other erotic romance is still waiting and I'm telling you my characters in that story are getting stir crazy. After that I have a few other things to work on, ideas to put together, and see where I can go from there. Plus, I'm still doing some writing under my other name. I have a feeling more and more stories will be written by Jade.

This is enough updates for now. Last night was a very late night and an early morning and my eyes are telling me how tired they are. Please visit my website at Jade Rose Madison, Erotic Romance Powered by Hot Heroes and Sexy Heroines.

Enjoy the rest of your summer.

Typing The End to a Novel

It felt like a long time coming because I put my holiday story on hold for so long. Now, with time running out for holiday submissions, I had to get it out. But, I finished it in rough draft, and have done a run through of editing. The major revising isn’t started yet, but I took advice a friend gave me on some things her editor looks for. And, I want to submit to her publishing company. 

When I’m near the end I get so excited. My fingers can’t seem to type fast enough, and the thoughts start pouring out to make the last little bit special for my characters and readers. I figure if I get emotional, or my characters get emotional, my readers will get emotional. So, even though I finished, I’m excited to go back and make sure loose ends are tied up. 

I had to create a time line so I could get my dates correct. Something big happens on Christmas Eve so I wanted to be sure to get all the days prior to that in the right order. It’s fun to do and see it all come together. I call editing the pleasure/pain part of writing. Many more ideas come along during the revision process and knowing what to cut and when is sometimes a challenge. We create these words and we don’t always want to cut them. On the other hand, sometimes there are words you can’t wait to cut; they never felt right from the beginning.

Oh, the photo of Coit Tower and the full moon? It's a scene from this book. Beautiful and awesome because I actually saw this scene on a trip to San Francisco. I was there in the beginning of December that year. A sight I will always remember.

Now it’s time to get back to editing.  

Technorati Tags: the ending,jade rose madison,novel,Christmas,San Francisco,Finished,edit,revise,complete

A Beautiful Day for Anything

(Anything on this blog is safe to read at this point in time.  When that changes, this blog will be labeled Adult and you will have to be over 18, but for now, everything is safe to read.) 

It's a pretty day today.  Looking out over the city makes me yearn to get out and walk.  I just might do that.  It gives me time to clear my mind of all my worries, and to think of good things.  It's good for my soul and my body. 

After the walk, my afternoon will be spent writing.  As I said in the previous post, my story is at a turning point, and I have to decide what to do.  I have half way decided, and I'm going to start writing with my first decision and see where it goes.  I see no reason why I can't have it both ways.  I think it's what my characters want.  After all, my blog is called erotic love stories powered by hot heroes and sexy heroines, so I guess they can guide me in writing this part.  I read a blog by another author who pretended to be the character and wanting her author to find her and get back to the story.  That was so cute.  I wish I could remember where it was and I'd add it here.  Maybe it was a facebook profile.  Yes, that's what it was. 

Anyway, the sunshine is calling me and it's time to put on my sneakers and hit the path.  I'll be thinking of more details for my hot story.  Yes, it's very hot.  Maybe hotter than you can handle?  Want to find out?  All I need is to finish this and then find a publisher.  Ugh, the hard part.  But, it will happen.  It happened twice before, and I know it will happen again. I'm so happy to be writing in this new genre.  More later! 

Till we meet again...  Keep smiling.

Scotland, Chapter 19, Short Story, Oh My!

I'm so excited to be nearing the end of Chapter 19 in my Work in Progress. It's flowing like I want it to, and I'm thrilled about that. I'm at a turning point in the story, and I'm waiting for my characters to tell me what they want to do. Okay, this might sound foolish to someone seeing or hearing that if they aren't writers. But, yes, often times our characters write their stories. Many times there will be a part that I write, but my characters tell me, through the words and the way the story moves, that they want to do it this way or that way. It sounds weird, I know.

I've done a little research for this book, like Scotland! And, I've researched different wines to go with certain desserts. I love researching, but it's easy to get distracted, which happens a lot. You know with the internet, one thing leads to another. It's been fun, and I learned some interesting things about Scotland, and then that went off on other things like tartans, cities, environment, and the people. My hero is from Scotland, so I have to learn enough to make my story real. More research is needed for the government and I'm getting to the point where I have to stop and do it.

Research is important for writers. We are always told to write what we know. My thought is if I don't know it I have to research it until I can write it like I know it. You Tube and Google Earth make it so easy. I can watch video's, and I can use Google Earth to see a lot of the terrain. If you're a writer, I know you use these tools. People who aren't writers use these as research, but probably don't even realize that's what they're doing. When I started writing, I didn't have the internet at my fingertips, and I used the library all the time, and it was so time consuming, but I did it.

I'll keep you posted on how this story is moving along. I can't wait to get it finished!

I wrote a short, short story to post on my website, but the thing is, I'm not sure I want that story to end where it ended. There might be more to add to that story. So, right now, that is my dilemma. I so want to add it so you can get a sample of what I write. Keep in mind that I write erotic romance, so it is adult rated due to sexual content. I'll make sure you are the first to know when I post it, or continue it.

Till the next time, I'll be thinking about you all!