The Rural Five!

This weeks rural five is a snippet from page 155 of 'Deceive Me in Ireland'. It is in my Hero's (William) POV and Jerry is what the Aussies would call, your 'Old Mate'. Hope you enjoy it!

Cara would be leaving soon and the thought left him wishing she’d stay a little while longer. Just… long enough for this infatuation to end.
And what if it doesn’t?
When Jerry’s hand cupped his shoulder, he jerked out his contemplations, his attention returning to the present.
‘Watch out for lassies like this one,’ Jerry teased, winking at Cara who finally wore a true smile. ‘They are hard to forget. And even harder to find.’

Beginnings? Endings? Or middles?

If there is one thing that I have always found with the books I've written (and those I still have to write), it is that the first three chapters are ALWAYS my favourite.

At the moment 'What Happens In Ireland' is just sitting on my desktop, 'Deceive Me in Ireland' is begging to be finished and yet... I can't help but write the first chapter of my latest Rural Romance.

I encountered this need at the beginning of the year as well and of course, I couldn't ignore it. With the aim of writing a short story for the Little Gem competition, I actually ended up writing the first chapter of a historical. And the next two... Until my priorities returned.

So, I think I have a little thing for the first three chapters. I love it when my characters meet, when true identities are revealed, when lies are exposed and when the attraction is just beginning. It is the beginning of my characters. They are growing as the words flow and they take shape in my head. The first three chapters really are the funnest chapters to play with!

Don't get me wrong, I love the middle, the end and all those wonderful bits inbetween but I think the first meeting is important.

Do you love writing the first three chapters? What's your favourite part of the writing process?

W

The Rural Five!

Here's this week's Rural snippet. Five lines from page 84 of 'Deceive Me in Ireland' the second novel in my Irish Series.

Cara felt her cheeks warm.
Damn, she hated it when he looked at her like that. Hell, she hated it when he touched her like that. It made her feel reckless and filled her with longing. Longing she was determined to deny.
‘Don’t give him a chance to deceive you again, Cara,’ the voice inside her head warned.

Happy reading!

Whitney

My First Conference!

Hi everyone!
Well, as you know I attended the RWA Diamonds are Forever conference, on the Goldcoast. And what a weekend it was!

Between pitching, panels, seminars and parties, I got to meet the wonderful writers I have meet over the last year and many more.

Now, when they said there would be giveaways and such, I did not expect to come back with this!

A big box of goodies!

Yep, with these and the shoes I brought, I struggled to get off the plane. But I was smiling. Who wouldn't? A woman who is depressed about owning a bag full of romance and shoes? Unheard of.

Anyway, I had a great time. I pitched my novel 'What Happens In Ireland' to two publishers and had much success with two full requests! I was very nervous about my pitch, even after attending a seminar on pitching hosted by Belinda Byrne. But if there is one piece of advice I can give it is this:
When you're pitching, remember who you are. What links you to the novel you've poured all that hard work into? When you sell your book, you sell yourself. So be yourself, be straight forward, honest and tell it how it is. :)

Well, for those of you who haven't been to a conference before, I cannot express how important it is for you to attend. There are so many opportunities. New friends, new publishers, agents and the panels are a great and in the case of the panels I attended, a humorous way to check out the market, to see what everyone is looking for.

Well, that's my much delayed conference post, but I really do recommend every writer who wants to get serious about their career go. Writing, in my opinion, isn't a solitary profession. You need a support group and you need people who are going to take you to the top. All those people, you are sure to find at the RWA conference.

In the next few weeks, I'm hoping to host a few new interviews and if you went to the Rural panel at the conference, you're going to love what I have in store for you in a few weeks time. I'll be hosting a discussion with some of your favourite RuRo writers on what makes Rural Romance. So keep your eye on this blog.

Whitney

The Rural Five!

Five lines from page 66 of my novel 'What Happens In Ireland'. Enjoy! I won't explain what is happening. I'll leave that up to you to decide or to dream up. :)

The second she’d stepped out a torrent of rain had descended. The heavy drops sent her racing back in and straight to her bedroom. She’d been soaked to the bone.
Just my luck.
Heaving the shirt that clung to her skin over her head, she froze at the sound of knuckles rapping on wood.

Happy reading,

Whitney

Time To Fly!

Well, at present I am sitting down to a much needed cuppa. I've been running around the last week with a lot on my plate. And have had no time to write! But finally, its Bon Voyage to the real world and Hello! to the wonderful world of being a writer.

I'll be pitching for the first time this weekend (fingercrossed I bring home some good news) and I will finally get to meet all the wonderful friends I've met over the last year.

I tell you what, packing your bags is not as easy as it sounds.Trying fitting the entire Desperate Duchesses series alongside Rachael Treasure's Stockman, four pairs of heels, boots and yes, I've decided to throw in some clothes as well. :) Yes, I know it seems impossible. And when you're only taking carry-on, it is. Sadly, only two books in my bag.

Anywho! For those who are going, can't wait to see you! For those who aren't, I wish you were going. And for those going to Claytons, have a ball!

Whitney

This Week's Rural Five!

Hey everyone,
It's been a busy week for me. The conference is next week and my body didn't agree with my never-ending to-do list. I've been a little sick but finally, I'm well again. Now I just have to catch up...
Anyway, here is this weeks Rural Five. Five lines from page 73 in 'Deceive Me In Ireland'. It's been great finding these little snippets. They bring back memories of they day you wrote them.
Well, I hope you enjoy!

She hadn’t forgotten William. How could she? The man was as unnerving in person as he had been a week ago. He’d returned to Killarney with them but had parted with them to manage his own property, Ballymore. Cara had not seen him since. But despite his absence, he still entertained her thoughts just as much as he had when they’d been sleeping down the hall from each other.
What was it about William that made him so different?
Perhaps it’s that Irish charm of his…