Very good point! Especially the part about signing it 500 times at a book signing.
Thanks for the insight. I frequently find myself editing what I'd already written and then wondering if I am wasting my time and that's what an editor is for. Huge thanks!
Hi Angela, I love a strong character who doesn't solve problems via brute strength or magical abilities, but through intelligence. Someone who thinks outside the square. And who acts, even though they are afraid. Theresa
Juanita, why don't you go with Anita Leigh? it's handy to have a middle name, "Leigh," that is not only gender-neutral, but can be either a 1st or last name. It's got a nice ring to it [the "ee" sound twice], it's short, catchy, easy to pronounce and to remember. I wouldn't try to use 3 names, they won't all fit easily on a book cover! You have a good assortment of names to pick from, you can mix them around depending on what genre your pen name is for.
I have read your article and I really appreciate you posting it. The pen name I had picked out was one that I am very familiary with and is similar to my name now. It is my birth name (I am an adult adoptee). I know I could use the first and middle name but can't decide which last name. Now for some people it might not be an issue but for me it is. I have permission to use my natural mother's maiden name which is the one that is on my original birth certificate. I just don't know if I want to use that last name or not. Any suggestions? I have posted names below. First and Middle name is: Anita Leigh Last Names to consider: Pratt Weigel Thanks again for posting the article. Juanita D. Houston I have one poem published under this name but that is it.
It's so comforting to know we're not alone in our peeves, isn't it?
Great article Angela. I went by a pen name online for almost 6 years. Harley D. Palmer. It just stuck and it fit perfectly with my personality but I always knew I would published under my REAL name. So what happened? I've spent the last 4 months switching every single acount with the Harley name to my real name. The sad part is, when I was reading your post here I was like "But my name is long and complicated and spelled funky! OH NO!" LOL But, I don't think Anastasia V. Pergakis is really all that weird compared to some others right? Plus, a name like that on an epic fantasy cover would just LOOK awesome (or so my friends say lol)
Newbie frantically taking notes in firmly bound notebook.. carry on!
I am LMAO at the back hole comment!!! So true. Blech. In fact, at least one of my publishers specifically forbids it in their style guide along with any *ahem* oral stimulation on the male after visiting the back door(as if they had to tell me, *snort*. I'd sooner blow dry my hair while showering, thanks.) The big misunderstanding is the worst one. I refer to it as "Three's Company Syndrome" and I will immediately write a book off for it. The other one is weird dialogue during sex. I get sexy talk. A line here a line there, muttered in the heat of things, but a soliloquy is off-putting. Especially if it's a guy saying words like "caress" or "sensual" or "must" ala "I must have you." Who says "must" out loud? No one, that's who.
Hi Angela, I don't read a lot of erotica (I mostly stumble across a couple of them a year accidentally, yes that actually happens-lol ) But I have to agree with you on #3, even as it relates to contemporary romance-- regardless of the steam level. I am always distracted from a story when there is no hand washing when you know it's called for. Also (and I'll admit it right here and now, I'm a bit of a neat freak) I always give a "ruh roh" when full fledged "sessions" are initiated first thing in the mornings and there's no brushing of the teeth to be had. I can see a peck here and there, or quick convo, but not a full fledged action scene, if you catch my drift- LOL. But I'll admit that may just be the Adrian Monk in me coming out- lol.
Hi Angela, You got my votes for #1 and #2. I don't read a lot of erotic, so I pass on the commentary around #3. And Like you I think Briggs is handling the rape issue extremely well. One thing that also gets me going is gross stupidity. Some characters seem too stupid to live - personally, I think we should let them die or at least give 'em an IQ boost. MCs who cannot figure out a simple, and I do mean simple, plot twist will have me closing a book and not reopening it. Those are my roll-my-eyes moments, and I dial up the next book in the Kindle queue. I also become irritated with what I like to call the mid-plot bait and switch. The tone of the book starts off all dark and edgy, which I love. Then about 2/3s of the way in, the tone goes light and fluffy, leaving me completely confused and wondering if a bubble-gum twin of the author actually finished writing the book. I've seen this one lately in a couple of pretty high profile YA releases. Thanks for blogging about this.
#3. BIGGEST pet peeve in erotic romance!! Let's see... I'm not a fan of chauvinistic a$$hole alpha heroes who inform their women they'll be getting down below waxed and drive them to the salon themselves to make sure it happens. I also freak out when there is too much carrying going on. As in, the woman never gets to walk ANYWHERE because the man is carrying her. Oh, and when he dries her off after picking her up out of the tub, too. I'm all for being taken care of, but it irks me in all three of these situations that the woman is treated like a doll with no mind of her own, waxed and carried around as if her sole purpose is to please the hero. Great post again, Angela. Can't wait to see what other people can't stand in their books!
A spider on the wall trumps it all... (oo that even rhymes! :D ) But the thing that makes me cringe is cheesy and unrealistic dialog. There's nothing worse IMO than than a kick ass character doing his or her thing when POOF! All of a sudden they spout some cheesy line that's totally out of character. Great post!
"Does it sound like a porn star?" LOL!! yes definitely, when choosing a pen name, don't play that game where you combine the name of your first childhood pet with the street you lived on to name a pole-dancer/XXX movie star/blues singer/ etc. "Frisky Union" "Cuddles Vista" "Smokey Madison" "Corky Lombard" ....a fun way to name characters but ... Great article Angela, you raise excellent points. Also check out Kris McConville article on her Writer's Court blog here at Savvy [under Industry] http://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/conte...ived-This-Week for issues to consider regarding pen names and contracts and copyright. Thanks! DMac
Thanks for the update, Angela! More importantly, I like how you've opened up the erotic romance world to more than just traditional type erotic romance. *rubs hands together* This was exactly what I was hoping for!
Excellent post. I'm in this boat currently, so it's nice to hear from the other side of the fence. Thanks!
This was a timely post, Angela. I just got three comments back from a contest. And on three major points, two people loved my performance in a particular area, and one thought it was weak. And the kicker was, it was a different combination of two judges on each of the three issues. "Then you're stuck in the middle of subjective hell. Welcome."--love that! Thanks!
It's when we talk about subjects like this that I'm glad I'm not a fiction writer. I think I would be a nervous wreck if I had to enter contests and wait for someone to critique my work (nevermind the whole submissions process, lol!)
This is so true! In every contest I've entered, my scores split two in the 90's and one in the 60's. Every. Single. Time. Usually, the best feedback comes from the lowest score so I skip right to that to see what they have to say. If it's obvious the score is low because the content isn't their style, I take that into consideration. Subjectivity is alive and well. Then again, this is a small slice of our target audience and it's fascinating to see the different emotions your book conjures in people. Thanks for the post, Angela! PS - Me, too, Merlyssa. Excited, but biting my nails. It's definitely possible!
Great advice Angela. Quite a timely post too. I was a finalist in the Drive 'em Wilde contest here at Savvy recently. It was my first contest and the judges differences in their comments were interesting to note. The editor results for next round are due on Thurs I think. I am in Lindsey Faber's category. I'm not sure if I'm looking forward to seeing how she scores me or not Is it possible to bite your nails while being excited? I wish I'd had a chance to take your workshop before the editor got to see my work. hehe. Thanks!
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