HelenKay Dimon

If you’re in and around Southern California this weekend, you have not one but two opportunities to see me – to the extent you’re so inclined – and pick up some signed books.

On Friday I will be signing with Vicki Lewis Thompson. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. Here is the location information:

Barnes & Noble Mira Mesa
10775 Westview Parkway, Mira Mesa

On Sunday I will be speaking with a group of talented authors: Vicki Lewis Thompson, Eden Bradley and Leigh Court. The event is called: “Books and Blogging: For Fun and Profit” and it goes from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Here is the location information:

Barnes & Noble Burbank
731 North San Fernando Blvd., Burbank

Stop by one or both and say hello!

There are about 1,000 books out there on and about writing.

Who am I kidding…there are about 10,000 books out there on and about writing. You can get dizzy trying to pick out a few good ones. But, I think I found one. It’s called Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules Of Writing. The Elmore Leonard in question is the Elmore Leonard. I haven’t grabbed the book, but here are the ten rules:

1. Never open a book with weather.

2. Avoid prologues.

3. Never use a verb other than “said” to carry dialogue.

4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb “said.”

5. Keep your exclamation points under control.

6. Never use the words “suddenly” or “all hell broke loose.”

7. Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.

8. Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.

9. Don’t go into great detail describing places and things.

10.Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.

That last one is the key. The others should not be ignored either. I plan to get this one.

A recent article on yahoo gives a little insight into certain male types. The not-so-attractive ones. The article is called, 10 Turnoffs that Make Great Gals Wave Goodbye. Think of this as a yahoo outline of what a romance novel hero should not be.

The article got me thinking about certain male types and characteristics/stereotypes in romance novels that make me lose the loving feeling for a book. Now, all of these can be done well and have been done well. I’m talking about those other times and what doesn’t (usually) work for me:

1. Heroes who are anti-commitment for the sake of being anti-commitment. [eyeroll here] These are the guys who never want to settle down…just because. There’s no logical reason for this lifelong decision other than, I believe, the Y chromosome requires an anti-commitment stance. Without something more, these guys cry out for a good shake.

2. Heroes with a military background where this history is mentioned only to telegraph to the reader that the hero has a sense of honor and duty. We have military and former military backgrounds all over romanceland. I know I’m supposed to have the “oh, I get it” reaction when the tidbit is dropped in a sentence and never related to anything or mentioned again. Instead, I always wonder: if a guy picked up garbage or served bagels at one point in his life, would we get to know that as well?

3. Heroes who were forced to leave town in their youth due to some indiscretion (usually having to do with getting the young and future heroine naked) and are now back with fat wallets and lots of power. This plotline may or may not include a secret baby. Either way, can you hear my head exploding? See, I grew up in farm country in Pennsylvania. I know small towns. I don’t remember any young men being run out of town by the wealthy family who lived at the top of the hill. I certainly don’t remember it happening on a weekly basis.

4. Heroes who break the law…but not really. This has a very Les Miserables feel (ie, he stole bread because his family was starving). It’s the idea that bad guys aren’t really bad guys. It’s noble and all but kind of boring on the seventieth read.

5. Heroes with ex-wives or ex-girlfriends who pop up for the sole purpose of throwing a wrench into the hero’s budding relationship with the heroine. The poor thing’s only job is to ruin everything. We know it. The ex knows it. Why doesn’t the hero know it? Does he not have caller ID like everyone else in America? Don’t answer the phone or otherwise let this gorgeous, flawless, bitchy creature into your life again.

6. Any combination of the above.

I am blogging at Sven’s Site today. The topic is why I write. It’s based on this quote from producer/writer/actor Bobby Moresco:

I write for the memory of my mother and father. I write for the future of my children and grandchildren who will know this world without me. I write because I can make a living at it. I write because someone once said I was good at it. I write because even though I know what I have to say is not nearly enough, ever; I know it’s all I have to give. I write because I hope tomorrow to have more.

Stop by and say hello.

Today is Veteran’s Day (or the weekday on which the government celebrates it). Thank you to all who serve, all who have served and to the families of both. Veteran’s Day makes me think of that speech by Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men:

Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who’s gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom… And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives…You don’t want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.

We use words like honor, code, loyalty…we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use ‘em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I’d rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post.

Over the top and misguided in light of what happened to Santiago (the dead marine), yes, but still true in terms of honor and duty. The military performs a necessary job and one I’m happy that someone other than me performs. Having spent 12 years living in the D.C. area (where there is a strong military presence) and now living in San Diego (what feels like the home of the Navy), I’ve developed a fundamental respect for people who serve. It’s the government officials who commit them to these assignments that upset me…

I also enjoy reading the romanticized version of military men in novels. The mention of a military hero in a romance novel conjures up certain qualities and characteristics. One of my early favorites (early as in one of the first I read) was MacKenzie’s Pleasure by Linda Howard. I like the MacKenzie series. I adored Zane and his book. A SEAL rescues a diplomat’s daughter, falls in love in about a day, she gets pregnant, they go on the run as he fights off bad guys. Loved it! Real or not, I love military heroes.

Anyone have a military hero fav?

It is Sven check in day. Go post those totals and give us a little update.

Speaking of update… I’m in the middle of writing a Christmas novella for the Oct. ‘08 anthology release, TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT. Up until this point, most of the novellas I’ve written start with a hero and heroine who do not know each other before page 1 of the story. They meet, fall for each other, overcome some obstacle and more forward all in a very short time. That leads to a how-do-I-write-a-believable-romance-from-start-to-satisfying-ending-in-100+-pages feeling. ‘Cause, really, I need one more writing thing to worry about.

I’m thinking this quickness is why some readers don’t like novellas. They fear there is not enough time to tell the story. I have to disagree. Novellas can be just as satisfying. In fact, I adore novellas – writing and reading them – and am always interested to see how the author is going to fit it all in and make me care. I also wait to see how the author goes about making the relationship about more than quick sex.

Which leads me back to this one… This time around, the hero and heroine know each other. She used to date his law partner. These two have a past. They did not have sparks before. So, the challenge this time is in finding the attraction where there previously was none. Frankly, this is just as hard as starting from scratch in a relationship. Finding the “something new” between my folks – especially since the heroine has lost a lot of weight and I don’t want the hero to come off as a shallow doofus – has been a bit tricky.

Having tried the knew each other before route and the someone new route, I’m not convinced one works better than the other. Will let you know once I get a bit farther along. Will also start publishing some excerpts for the 2008 releases soon. Stay tuned.

I picked up Men’s Journal (Dec. 07) the other day. There is a menacing photo of Russell Crowe on the cover. The title of the article on him is: Our Favorite S.O.B. How could I resist that?

Inside was another article that caught my interest. The editors name the 15 best literary thrillers ever written. They are, in countdown order, as follows:

15. Havana by Stephen Hunter - The editors call it “a double shot of escapism” which sure is intriguing.
14. Red Lights by Georges Simenon - Called a psychopathological thriller.
13. From Russia With Love by Ian Flemming - Bond, baby. Bond.
12. The Last Good Kiss by James Crumley - Apparently there is a beer-drinking dog in the first sentence.
11. Hard Revolution by George Pelecanos - Read it!!
10. The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan - Called “the great-grandfather of the spy thriller…” I like that description.
9. Dog Soldiers by Robert Stone -I didn’t think I’d hear of this one until I read the blurb. Now I think I read it.
8. The Deep Blue Good-By by John D. MacDonald - The world of Travis McGee. Not a big suprise to this author on the list.
7. Freedomland by Richard Price - The editors say: “Think Charles Dickens beamed into a Newark ghetto.” Ummm…?
6. The Great Escape by Paul Brickhill - This one is a true story, or based on one, and includes Nazi POW camps.
5. The Tears of Autumn by Charles McCarry - Called “indelibly American” and I’m not sure what that means.
4. The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler -Philip Marlowe. You knew Chandler would be on the list somewhere.
3. Kill Shot by Elmore Leonard - Another author you’d expect to be on the list. No idea how the authors narrowed his work down to one.
2. The Spy Who Came In From The Cold by John le Carre - I tried to read this one a few times and couldn’t get into it.
1. Rogue Male by Geoffrey Household -Never heard of it.

The men have spoken. At least Men’s Journal has. Any book you’d put on there instead?

I’m over at the Brava Blog talking about Christmas romances.

The topic is somewhat timely since I’m writing a holiday romance right now. It will be in the Brava anthology TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT that comes out October ‘08. Yeah, I know that seems like it’s a long time from now. In publishing terms, it’s the equivalent of next month. The best part is the identity of my fellow anthology authors – Jill Shalvis and Donna Kauffman. How lucky am I to be teamed up with these talented authors?

It is never too late to buy a copy (or 40) of YOUR MOUTH DRIVES ME CRAZY (note the handy link where you can click to buy it). I don’t pimp it every single day (tho I am tempted), but folks still are picking it up and reading it. I love those people. To entice you to do the same, here are two reviews I got for the book last week.

YOUR MOUTH DRIVES ME CRAZY (note the second handy link for those who prefer Amazon to B&N) got a Five Rose review at A Romance Review. The lovely Cynthia (and the woman is undeniably brilliant) says:

HelenKay Dimon knocks another one out of the park with this sexy, witty, romantic suspense. Even as you are falling out of your chair laughing you will want to search for your BOB. If you are looking for a truly entertaining read Your Mouth Drives Me Crazy is the book for you. If Kane isn’t enough of a hottie for you wait until you meet his best friend.

By the way, the friend in question is Josh and I’m writing his book next. It will be out in 2009.

Onto review #2… Frequent visitors will recognize Mr. Wonderful (who we find quite wonderful) from his joint reviews with his charming wife, author (and equally wonderful) Darlene Ryan. Mr. Wonderful read YOUR MOUTH DRIVES ME CRAZY (I will skip the link here because, frankly, if I haven’t broken your will and persuaded you to pick up that credit card by now I never will). Here are Mr. Wonderful’s thoughts:

If most guys found something washed up on the beach it would turn out to be a dead fish or a pile of seaweed. Not Kauai Chief of Police, Kane Travers. He finds a beautiful woman at the water’s edge. Naked. So of course he takes her home, warms her up in the shower and then handcuffs her to the bed.

Since I have a short attention span, I would have liked the story to move a bit faster at the beginning but once the pace picked up the book was very good and the ending was excellent—very romantic. The mystery was well plotted and Kane and Annie became more human, more real for me as the book went on. Very well done.

Huge thanks to Cynthia and Mr. Wonderful! To everyone else, go buy the book or I’ll keep linking to it…

Here’s one of those things that could only happen to me: I got shut out of my website over the weekend. Could not sign on and draft a new entry. Couldn’t even look at the site. Yeah, I am waiting for a swarm of locusts to attack my house.

While I was not online, I spent some time reading Entertainment Weekly. Three unrelated books caught my attention – Hot Mama by Jennifer Estep, Never Enough by Joe McGinniss and Rhett Butler’s People by Donald McCaig.

First up is Hot Mama. The paranormal aspect here is about superheroes not vampires, werewolves or other creatures of the night.

Congrats to EW for reviewing paranormal romance. Huge congrats to Estep for being one of the few to get this spotlight!! EW reviews romance but generally only in small doses with a group of other romance novels. Estep got a regular ‘ole review.

Now, the reviewer didn’t love the worldbuilding in Hot Mama but did like the book. She said:

Estep’s tongue-in-cheek use of genre trappings and the abundance of supporting characters (like superhero Halitosis Hal) are snappy and diverting.

UPDATE: Jennifer Estep is holding a contest to celebrate the release of her new book. Check it out HERE.

Next is Rhett Butler’s People. As you may have guessed, this one is related to Gone With The Wind. Margaret Mitchell’s estate authorized this one. Rhett is the Rhett.

The book runs parallel to Gone With The Wind and tells the story from Rhett’s perspective. Actually, it starts before Gone With The Wind and covers a greater time period, but the point is you know about Rhett by the end. Who he is, what shaped him and what he thinks of Scarlett.

An interesting concept and not the first Gone With The Wind related book. Alexandra Ripley wrote Scarlett years ago. It sold well but reviewers were not happy. The reaction to Rhett Butler’s People has been better, but this reviewer didn’t love it. Gave it a C+. Since it’s #5 on the B&N list right now, I’m thinking book buyers don’t care what the reviews for this one say.

The final book is Never Enough. Never Enough is written by McGinniss who also wrote Fatal Vision, a true crime masterpiece (except in the opinion of Jeffrey MacDonald who is sitting in prison and blames McGinniss, at least in part, for that fact).

I read Fatal Vision years ago and got hooked on true crime novels as a result. So, McGinniss writes a book and I buy it. I’m loyal like that. And, the reviewer likes it. Called it “riveting and compulsively readable” and that works for me.
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Any of these do anything for anybody?