I won’t say I hate winter. I will say it isn’t my favorite season. I can live with the cold. But I am not a fan of snow. Oh, it’s pretty when it’s falling. And it looks nice the next day with the sun sparkling on it. And if there happens to be a moon that first night the silvery light on the snow is lovely. And then I want it gone. Actually if I had my way we would have winter between December 15th and January 31st. And Spring would begin on February 1st. Promptly! But actually winter is an excellent time for writing because I never want to go out. And thus endeth my first blog posting. Will I post again? Who knows?
Born in Manhattan, Bertrice Small has lived on eastern Long Island for 34 years, and she loves it! She is a Sagittarian, married to a Pisces, with an Aries son. Her greatest passions are her family; Finnegan and Sylvester, the family cats; Nicki, the elderly cockatiel who whistles the NY Mets charge call; her garden; her work, and just life in general.
She is the author of 49 novels. 38 are Historical Romance, 6 are Fantasy Romance, and 5 are Erotic Contemporary. Visit her website at www.BertriceSmall.comDo you have a great story inside you? Let a group of multi-published authors from Dunes & Dreams Romance Writers help you turn your idea into a novel and point you toward publication!
Join us for any or all sections of a four- part series at Huntington Public Library, 338 Main St., Huntington. Advance registration required. All classes run from 10 AM to 12 PM.
January 30, 2010 Session 1: Brainstorming Your Plot
This session will include tips and advice on plotting, characterization, your opening hook, and using a good balance of dialogue and narrative to move your story forward.
February 27, 2010 Session II: Whipping Your Sagging Middle Into Shape
Don’t let your story lose momentum and sink. Learn how to maintain the passion with your prose throughout those middle pages and keep your readers enthralled.
March 27, 2010 Session III: Reaching the Finish Line
A good story ties up all loose ends and completes the emotional journey between author and reader. This session will cover the need for a crisis moment and the subsequent satisfactory conclusion necessary for all fiction works.
April 24, 2010 Session IV: Releasing Your Story Into the Wild
The publishing business is filled with pitfalls where even the best and brightest can become hopelessly lost. Learn how to navigate the treacherous waters of print and digital publishing and the different aspects of each. Discover which venue is best for you and your work.
REGISTER AT THE HUNTINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY OR BY PHONE AT (631) 427-5165.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT DUNES & DREAMS ROMANCE WRITERS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
www.dunesanddreams.org
Together, Candace Gold and her alter-ego, Candy Caine, who writes the edgier, hot and sassy stories, have published over 200 short stories and two novels. They try to live together harmoniously on Long Island, NY, with her husband, Robert. Supportive with her writing career, he’s always willing to help her make certain the scenes for her Candy Caine stories are authentic. Read more about Candace and Candy at her website www.CandaceGold.comHappy New Year! I love the fresh pages of the calendar, ready and waiting to be filled in. There’s already quite a bit of Dunes and Dreams activities…the program at the Huntington Library and the monthly meeting on January 30. Of course, I’m most excited about the online workshop, ”No Matter How Busy You Are, You Can FIND TIME TO WRITE!” with Kelly L. Stone.
When I first saw the workshop title, I was a little disappointed. I thought, if you love to write, you simply make the time, and that’s that. But the hectic pace of modern life makes it easier said than done. I can find the time, but what am I actually doing with the time that I have? I was grateful to discover the workshop will be addressing that topic, too, and others such as:
- Finding a writing schedule that works
- Creating a Personalized Writing Action Plan
- Dealing with resistance to writing
- Dealing with interruptions
No matter how relaxed or busy your life is, someone or something is going to want a piece of your writing time. Once you find the time, how do you make it sacred and productive?
I look forward to devoting January to learning how and hope you all will join me!
Laura Hitchens has been writing since she was eight years old! A writer by trade, Laura has written non-fiction articles, papers and websites. Now, she's excited about writing fiction! Follow her adventures while she pens her romance novels on her blog http://life-with-lorelei.blogspot.com.With the tragic events in my personal life over the last few months (and a major blizzard last weekend) I’m still playing catch-up when it comes to gifts, baking, and decorating in December. But at least, online, I can look prepared for this month’s festivities. So,here are my wishes for all the ladies of Dunes & Dreams RWA for 2010:
Dynamite ideas
Oodles of writing time
Great workshops
Fascinating speakers
Completed manuscripts
Lucrative contracts
Bestseller lists
The best darn RWA chapter around (Oh, wait! We already have that!)
No matter how and what you celebrate, may you be surrounded by love! Nothing else in this world matters.
Gina Ardito writes lighthearted contemporary romance. Her alter ego, Katherine Brandon, writes sweeping historicals. While Gina is the co-founder and current President of Dunes & Dreams, Katherine avoids politics and maintains a low profile. Find out more about both authors by visiting their respective websites: www.ginaardito.com and www.katherinebrandon.comShe’s our very own Goddess on the Mountain. The one, the only, the gracious, the sassy, the sunny Bertrice Small celebrates her birthday today. If you’re lucky enough to know Bertrice the way we do, you know a lady whose generosity is only surpassed by her talent.
Her books are known all over the world in dozens of different languages. Her characters have resonated with readers for three decades. Butt-kicking heroines who take control of their own destiny, dashing heroes who may (or may not!) live happily ever after, rich history, passionate love scenes: Bertrice Small’s stories rock the romance genre!
We’re thrilled to know this lady, to share her little corner of paradise in Eastern Long Island, and most of all…to call her, “friend.”
Happy birthday, Bertrice. We’re wishing you another year of joy, love, and success!
Gina Ardito writes lighthearted contemporary romance. Her alter ego, Katherine Brandon, writes sweeping historicals. While Gina is the co-founder and current President of Dunes & Dreams, Katherine avoids politics and maintains a low profile. Find out more about both authors by visiting their respective websites: www.ginaardito.com and www.katherinebrandon.comWhat an amazing year this has been for Dunes and Dreams! At a holiday brunch at the Cooperage Inn, members gathered to celebrate the year of hard work and toast to future plans. It was a time to connect and chat, for board elections, and member awards. We talked about everything from works in progress, how it was in the early days of romance writing, and the ever-changing face of publishing. We looked to the future as we discussed a road trip to RWA National in July and the upcoming weaponry presentation in August. It was a warm, welcoming place to be. It was incredibly inspiring to sit at a table with best-selling romance writers as well as those who are pursuing their dream. As a new member, it was wonderful to be so openly and instantly accepted. The dedication of the board and chapter members created a solid foundation in 2009 that will propel the chapter forward in 2010. There’s so much in store in the coming year and I am so looking forward to being part of it.
Happy Holidays!
Laura Hitchens has been writing since she was eight years old! A writer by trade, Laura has written non-fiction articles, papers and websites. Now, she's excited about writing fiction! Follow her adventures while she pens her romance novels on her blog http://life-with-lorelei.blogspot.com.Last week our members were treated to tax presentation that was full of surprises! First, you might think giving a tax specialist the floor at a meeting of romance writers might either be odd or perhaps a little boring – let me assure you, this meeting was anything but.
Patrick McDonald of Physical Solutions, Inc. arrived armed with information to the questions some of our authors had asked prior to the meeting. Everyone from aspiring to published authors learned the ins and outs from a “schedule C” to how long we should keep those cancelled checks (I was informed my 27 year collection of cancelled checks could be reduced by at LEAST 20 years…my husband is thrilled. Now to get this packrat to comply 
) Our Tax Specialist was well informed and came prepared with handouts too. But please don’t think we didn’t charm him right back, before he left he asked when the next romance would be out featuring “the tax man” and we assured him we’d get right on it. 
Got a tax question? Patrick McDonald can be reached at pat.mcdonald@natplan.com and tell him the romance writers sent you!
While our year is winding down and we’ve got those pesky taxes on our minds, it’s time to enjoy the season and give thanks for the new friends we’ve made this year. To celebrate, Dunes & Dreams RWA will hold their first annual holiday brunch on December 6th at the Cooperage Inn! From first drafts and first sales to the groups first successful year of programs, leadership and writing support – this brunch will be an event to remember!
Hope to see you there!
Debora Dennis is co-founder and the current Vice President of Dunes & Dreams and writes all types of romance! Her tastes vary from the paranormal to romantic comedy and everything in between. She freely admits to being a caffeine addicted control freak and has no qualms about sharing her strong opinions with anyone who'll listen. Visit her website and blog at www.deboradennis.com
Hard to believe we’re just a few weeks away from year end. And after the holiday celebrations comes that figure scarier than the Grim Reaper, the devil, and the boogeyman combined: the taxman. To help alleviate your fears and help you plan ahead for your future writing career, Dunes & Dreams RWA is proud to present this month’s meeting: Taxes for the Writer, hosted by Patrick McDonald of TaxHampton, Inc. Learn what you can write off, what you can’t; when the IRS considers your writing a career vs. a hobby, and how to look ahead to that mega bestseller or movie deal!
I hope you’ll join us for this helpful workshop. Guests are welcome for the presentation at 2:30 pm at the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Library. Our Members Only business portion will begin promptly at 1:00 pm. For additional info, please see the Dunes & Dreams website.
Exciting news for the Dunes & Dreams community: Please welcome our newest member, Laura Hitchens! Laura’s working on her first romance novel and hopes to benefit from all our chapter has to offer.
Tags: Dunes and Dreams RWA, Meetings, New members
Gina Ardito writes lighthearted contemporary romance. Her alter ego, Katherine Brandon, writes sweeping historicals. While Gina is the co-founder and current President of Dunes & Dreams, Katherine avoids politics and maintains a low profile. Find out more about both authors by visiting their respective websites: www.ginaardito.com and www.katherinebrandon.com
Myths, legends and the truth to ghost hunting are coming alive in a presentation by the Long Island Paranormal Investigators for Dunes & Dreams members and guests!
If you’ve ever had an “encounter” you can’t explain, ever wondered if the legends of Long Island could be proved, then this could be the program for you attend.
The Long Island Paranormal Investigators come with all manner of ghostly evidence and the tools they use to prove or debunk claims of the paranormal right here in our local towns and villages. Whether you write paranormal romances or you’re just an interested family member or friend, you’re welcome to join us.
We’ll be meeting at the Patchogue/Medford library on Saturday October 24th. The LIPI program will start at 2pm. You can find all the details on our website http://www.dunesanddreams.org
Hope to see you there!
Debora Dennis is co-founder and the current Vice President of Dunes & Dreams and writes all types of romance! Her tastes vary from the paranormal to romantic comedy and everything in between. She freely admits to being a caffeine addicted control freak and has no qualms about sharing her strong opinions with anyone who'll listen. Visit her website and blog at www.deboradennis.comOne of our valuable members, Trisha Keifer, is celebrating her birthday today. Trisha is a charter member of Dunes & Dreams and there are times I wonder how we’d get along without her. Her humor, willingness to get involved, and personality make her a special asset to our chapter.
Happy birthday, Trisha! May this be the year your dreams come true!
Tags: birthday
Gina Ardito writes lighthearted contemporary romance. Her alter ego, Katherine Brandon, writes sweeping historicals. While Gina is the co-founder and current President of Dunes & Dreams, Katherine avoids politics and maintains a low profile. Find out more about both authors by visiting their respective websites: www.ginaardito.com and www.katherinebrandon.com
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