Time To Put My Feet Up? I Should Cocoa!

Come, Dance With Me - Mary Middleton Available now
You might be forgiven for thinking that, having finally published Come, Dance With Me to Kindle yesterday (already copies going very well) I should now be able to enjoy a bit of relaxation, a bit of ME time but you'd be wrong. Creating a novel, crafting it as finely as you can, that's the easy bit. The most difficult bit of all is the marketing.
Many authors, like me, live solitary lives and are very shy. I often wonder if I chose to be a writer because I feel safer and more comfortable with long lonely hours than dealing with the hubbub and chaos of business. As a self employed author I call the shots, decide when its coffee time or if I deserve a day off. The decisions are mine, the nitty gritty of plot detail and book covers, mine alone and that suits me. The only time I wish I wasn't so alone is when it's time to wave the flag and blow the trumpet when, what I'd really like to do is hide beneath the desk.
When marketing your novel you tread a fine line. If you sit quietly and whisper 'I've written this nice little story and I think you might quite like it,' then you will have zero sales but, on the other hand, if you stand on the desk and blow a trumpet shouting about your fabulous novel that knocks the spots off everything else out there, you will alienate people and also get yourself zero sales.  So, if you can't leave it to luck and you can't spam the pants off everybody, what can you do?
I don't pretend to have the answers, I know about writing not about selling but I can tell you how I go about it and only hope that my methods aren't too irritating. The internet is a Godsend to authors, we can sit at home and blog and advertise about our work, join writers websites, flood Facebook with awareness, follow other people's blogs, go on blog tours, etc. etc. etc. And while we do all this we hope against hope that a few people will notice, buy our books and tell their friends about it.
I promote a lot of authors on my Facebook page and anything I post is transferred to Twitter and I like to think that they do likewise for me. You scratch my back, I will scratch yours.  I think it is a good way of doing things.  You are less likely to upset people if you are not banging on about your own stuff all the time and, fingers crossed, if sales are anything to go by, it is beginning to work.
That is why, instead of having a day at the shops or lunch with friends I will instead be on here blogging and raising awareness in the nicest way possible - through friendship.  So, should you find me a little in your face over the next few days, please don't think me mercenary or self-obsessed. I am just a writer, trying to find my path through the madness that is out there.
Have a nice day :)

Love is not just for St. Valentine's Day.

No romance author worth her salt would miss posting a blog on St. Valentine's Day so here I am, blogging on February 14th, 2012 about love and what it means to me.

 When I was a giddy young thing I believed there was nothing worse than a Valentine's Day devoid of cards and flowers - my (then) partner never dared to overlook such an important day or the resulting row would be horrible. So, for many years I had the red satin hearts and the flowers, not always roses for they are hard on a fella's wallet. But the gifts always seemed to lack something, perhpas I was ungrateful but I have come to realise that the thing they lacked was the sentiment.
It's easy to give flowers once a year and let that be the limit of romantic expression. I understand now that I was with the wrong man.

Now I am older, (some would say wiser but they'd probably be wrong) the cards don't matter so much and neither do the gifts. The thing that is important these days is the affection that is given daily. For almost twenty years he has been bringing me coffee in bed every morning and working extra hard, allowing me to write full time (despite never making enough money at it.)  I don't need roses or fancy cards one day a year because at least once a week, he comes home with something small thing he has seen and thought I might like. It might just be a piece of art deco china or a pretty vase to most people but, to me, it's special  because it comes from him. We don't dine out very often because it is nicer here with just the two of us.

As long as he continues to come home, kiss me on the cheek and ask how my day has been, I will be happy because it's the moment I have waited for all day.  So, if your partner forgot your card and left the hyped-up tacky gifts on the supermarket shelf, don't worry; as long as he comes home with a smile and a pleased-to-see-you kiss, you shouldn't really need anything more.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

Romance Or Not? Mary Middleton discussing the lack of distinction between love stories and sexual adventures.

Is it just me or does anyone else think that the romance genre could do with a bit of a shake up?  It used to be safe to pick up something with a ‘Romance’ tag because the reader knew she could expect a love story with maybe some rather steamy bedroom scenes thrown in. That was fine. But recently it has become more and more easy to inadvertently select things that are more akin to ‘pornography’ than ‘romance’.

I picked up a book the other day with a three star heat rating, which to my calculation in a one to five star scale, should categorise it as ‘mild to warm’. It should not have much in it to shock a woman of my age, but from page one it was rough, hard and fast sex, with a total stranger, in fact as I read on, his best pal joined in too. Very good friends, obviously. 

I stuck with it for a while hoping it would get better but when I discovered very little plot or character development or point to it really, I put it down again. The book had several good reviews, no explicit content warning or anything to suggest it wasn’t a run of the mill romance.  With the covers of softer romances becoming steamier and the content of the harder romances (I use the term loosely) becoming more imaginative, the margins are now becoming so blurred that the reader doesn’t know what to expect.

Often, when I tell people I write ‘romance’ they assume a suggestive expression, look at me sideways, ‘Oh, yes?’ they say, imagining me bashing away at my keyboard turning out a literary equivalent to Debbie Does Dallas. That isn’t the image I particularly want to cultivate and I am sure that goes for alot of other romance writers.

Now I guess you are all thinking, 'That Mary Middleton is a bit of a prude,' but that honestly isn’t the case. I just like to know roughly what is in store when I open a book and I would guess I am not alone. It’s rather like opening ‘Hello’ magazine and finding it filled with hard porn photos.

To me the difference between the two is that ‘Romance’ makes you smile softly and the stuff at the opposite end of the spectrum is more likely to make you wince.  There is the ‘heat’ rating, I suppose but I’m not sure it is working as well as it once did. I sense a shift in people’s expectations and sensibilities and what was once considered ‘saucy’ now seems to be categorised as ‘sweet’ and what once was considered ‘hot’ has now become ‘mild.’  My ex mother in law loves the old fashioned, pastel covered romances and I wonder how long it is before she picks up something new and is shocked to the marrow by it. I think publishers need to make things a little bit clearer and remember that old ladies like to read love stories too.

I suppose it’s all subjective but it seems quite clear to me that the romance tag should encompass love, and sex if you like, within a loving relationship. Sexy stories outside of that setting, especially if it is kinky or violent or involving many partners, should be categorised as something else, just so the reader knows. I am not calling for a ban or anything like that and I realise that many people enjoy the hotter end of the scale, I am just calling for a clearer distinction to be made between the two. I am sure when a fan of five star heat rated accidently selects a three star they are as equally disappointed at the content.

My own romances have plenty of sex in them but since I am consiously writing about everlasting, wonderful, unbeatable LOVE in capital letters, you can pick up one of my novels safe in the knowledge that  it will not be centered on sex for sex's sake but on the precious gift of  lasting love.

Coming  Soon to  Amazon Kindle

January - Janus Looking Back to 2011 and Forward to 2012

January is named for the Roman god Janus, a god of doorways, portals, transistions and new beginnings. He is usually depicted with two faces, one looking back and one forward.  That is what I am doing right now. Looking back  to 2011 and forward to 2012.

2011 was  hard, although there were many sunny days, it also held disappointments, sickness and sadness. Luckily I had my best friend with me and we had some good times among the hard. I am fortunate that my best friend is also  my husband. 

This year though we hope will be better. We are both looking forward to some big changes in both home and working life.  We are putting our house on the market, downsizing to something more manageable, seeking pastures new. This will give  me time to write without feeling guilty about the lank lawn and weed choked flower beds or the dust that is collecting in the sitting room.  A smaller house will give us both the financial space to take life easier - have more fun.

One good thing that happened in 2011 was that I finally became published as a Romance author. With the advent of Kindle I was able to publish in quick succession For One Night Only, a gently erotic romance set within a tired marriage, Vittorio's Virgin, a more complex story about a man's struggle to come to terms with his traumatic upbringing and first marriage and find love and trust with the honest but sharp tongued, Jennifer Trent. Then came The Greek Tycoon's Secret Daughter, which examines the complex relationship between Charlotte Martin and billionaire playboy, Nicholas Barberis Jones.

At first things were quiet, sales were slow, but soon some nice comments and emails began to arrive. 'I've read them all now and want to know when the 'next one' will be out.'
Since I hadn't even begun to write it I published a small booklet of short stories to give myself some time. Something for the Journey is also now being well recieved.

I cannot stress how much these reader's comments mean to me. They really help. The don't just provide a much needed boost to my creative ego but help me discover what my readers really love ... and what they don't.  By using a mix of their praise and criticism I am now able to move forward with Come, Dance with Me with more confidence than ever before.

Writers are babies (or is it just me?) In order for them to continue writing they need to know that their work is appreciated.  An email, a short comment on a blog or an Amazon review or Facebook of 'I loved it' or 'I told all my friends about it,' can make all the difference.  So, if you read a book and love it, let the author know, if you hate it also let her know but gently, please, she is a sensative soul and only wants to please you.  I write a lot of reviews but tend to avoid being less than positive. Constructive criticism is the key to helping an author improve.  We appreciate that - thank you.

As I said, Come, Dance with Me is coming along nicely.  It is set within the world of ballroom dancing competition, a growing interest and armchair sport in both the UK and America.  It is a world that I find fascinating and repelling. WRiting in this genre also means that I can sit with a clear conscience and watch re-runs of the hit dancing show, Strictly Come Dancing, all in the name of research.

When Sasha finds herself drawn into the glizty, glamorous world of ballroom and is swept off her feet by the beautiful Russian heart throb, Andrei Kovalevsky, at first she can scarcely believe her luck. But, as ever in the world of romance, the path to true love is not an easy one. When the curtain falls,will they live to dance again?

 All four of my current Kindle books can be found on Amazon Kindle, please download a free sample and see if you like them too.

Mary Middleton on Kindle

More details about me and my work can be found on my web page

Getting Back to Romance ...

One Rose, Two Hearts.

I always had trouble with a new school term, it took a few weeks to get back into the rhythm of study and I'm having similar problems getting my head into gear after the Christmas break. Up until Christmas preparation came between me and my key board things were going well. I have a first draft of sorts and put it away to begin editing in the New Year.
The trouble is that New Year is now almost a week old and I haven't really begun. I have the edited the first chapter but can't seem to find the discipline to sit down and do the rest.  I love writing the frist draft when my creative juices are flowing and I am swept away with the romance of it all but picking out the flaws, untying the tangles just doesnt have the same appeal.  so, I have been procrastinating and running out of time.
In February I am attending Kate Walker's advanced romance writing course in Fishguard and I need to take my first three chapters with me. If I don't get my finger out they won't even be properly finished.
I am writing this in the hope that it will dislodge the unsightly lump that has come between me and my novel ...ME!  Did I mention I was on a diet? :))
Oh, and before I go, have a wonderful romantic 2012 and may all your dreams come true.

A Shameful Consquence Carol Marinelli - A Review by Mary Middleton

I read a lot of romances. Most of them are enjoyed, put aside ...forgotten. But not this one.  From the first pages Carol Marinelli hooks the reader into the story. Instantly, you empathise with Constantina, tricked into a loveless marriage from which there seems to be no escape. Then, along comes Nico Eliades and poor Constantina's troubles increase. 
The author leads you through the twists and turns of the plot so competently that you forget the toppling washing pile in the kitchen, that the children need collecting from school and that you have your own half written novel to complete. It's probably best to set aside a weekend where you can be alone with it, undisturbed.
You will live in this story. The characters are convincing, the settings seductive and the sex scenes are wonderful, not so hot as to makes you cringe but warm and sensuous so that you check your watch to see how long it is until your partner gets home.
Wonderful stuff, Ms Marinelli but, please, don't leave us hanging like this, there must be a story to follow for Zanda.

Plotting and Planning

I've been quiet lately, keeping my head down, marketing my books, promoting the work of friends, reading and reviewing.  Now, however, I am back doing what I really love, writing.
It is unfortunate that authors today have to spend so  much time away from the keyboard. How I'd love to have been a writer in the 1950's, hammering away at an old typewriter keyboard while someone else worried about selling the thing. To be able to focus purely on the work in progress would be bliss but it is a luxury that even the biggest authors no longer enjoy.

I don't have a title for my next novel yet but I'm thinking along the lines of Tango or Foxtrot and no, it isnt a detective drama!  I, and millions like me, am enchanted by the celebrity show, Strictly Come Dancing and I can't wait to get stuck in, place my characters in a similar world. I have the protaganists in my head, their motivation, the conflict and the resolution are all sketched out nicely on the page. All that remains is for me to add the passion and a sprinkle of sequins. I promise you, this will be one to keep; you are going to love it.

I will keep you posted on the progress. Just give  me a few months and it will be with you.