2007 June « Dee Savoy

Archive for June, 2007

Jun

Now they tell me . . .

By writerds 4 Comments

Categories: blogosphere, publishing and the secret life of dee

As if the great unwashed masses still seeking an agent or editor didn’t have enough to worry about, here comes news that there may yet be something else to worry about. Your website or blog may be killing you–or rather killing your chances of finding said agent or editor.

Over at The Midnight Hour, Chey MaCray posts comments from 11 editors and agents about how your online presence can piss them off.

We writers like to communicate. That’s why we’re in this business. But where do you draw the line between a little venting and full blown kvetching? Where do you draw the line between a little honest commentary and being an ass? Damned if I know.

I’ve always tried to let humor be my guide in what I print here. Often times people have taken me more seriously than I intended (damn internet!) but I admit I’ve done my share of ranting, too. When I first started blogging, I thought that was de rigeur. Even if it is, I don’t give a crap anymore. I’d rather try to brighten (he, he) folks’ day with my own brand of wit than follow the rant du jour. But that’s just me. YMMV (your mileage may vary).

Jun

Gumbo Comes to the Bronx

By writerds 5 Comments

Categories: blogosphere, publishing, reading and sounding off

Figuratively speaking y’all, though I wouldn’t mind if it did. I’m talking about Roux in My Gumbo author Kim Robinson. Kim is making the rounds of the blogosphere promoting her book. Kim asks the following questions.

Now that I am speaking at churches about my past and how I survived it I know that I am doing what I was put here for and there is only one person who can judge me, but I have gotten some mixed comments from a lot of people and I would like to ask some of your opinions.

Scenario – You meet an author at a literary convention and you sit and dine with her, laugh and talk and you find her to be a really personable individual. You purchase her book, not really knowing that it is her life story. You take it to your room and start reading it find out that she was a Madam, call girl, drug dealer and addict for over a decade. Now she is helping others and telling her story all over the country and she has written about it, not holding anything back.

How has this knowledge changed your opinion of that person?

I’d be interested in a discussion of Kim’s scenario, but also what readers think of authors when they meet them. What turns you on? What turns you off? Whatever?

Let’s hear from you. Then if you haven’t already, please visit Kim at www.kimrobinson.com. You’ll find her Roux most enjoyable.

Jun

Around and around and around she goes

By writerds 0 Comments

Categories: entertainment and wtf?

A funny thing happened while I was watching the inaugural run of the Iowa Racetrack this morning. I noticed they don’t break for commercials. They split the screen and run the commercial on the right while the action plays out on the left. So I was thinking if there was a sport that needed constant monitoring less than racing I didnt’ know what it was. All these folks do is travel in an oval two or three hundred times. The only thing that could make it more interesting would be if someone crashed, and lord knows we wouldn’t be content to watch that on instant replay.

No sooner does that thought enter my brain than, WHAM! Two drivers try to pass my girl Danica, one on her right and one on her left. Damn bastards! Anyhoo, this little stunt takes down five drivers in all, including Danica. Damn! She’s the only reason I was watching in the first place. She started out in eleventh place, drove her way up to the #2 spot before she needed to pit. It was right after that all the drama happened.

Ah well. I don’t know what the moral of this story is. Just disappointed Danica didn’t get to finish the race when she’d been hoping for a win this time.

Jun

Romance Slam Jam Website Goes Live

By writerds 0 Comments

Categories: Uncategorized

Represented by one of the nicest looking conference websites I’ve seen in a long time, Romance Slam Jam 2008 is online. Registration opens in July, so get your reservation on. I’m looking forward to what I’m betting is going to be a truly wonderful event. See you there!!

Jun

That’s What You Say

By writerds 2 Comments

Categories: blogosphere, fun stuff and the secret life of dee

Here’s why writers like to read other writer’s blogs. We’re all so damn clever. I present to you now PBWriter’s take on what writers are thinking while others question. All I can do is mutter a delicious he, he, he.

Now back to work. (Sound of whip cracking, and not in a good way!)

Jun

Angelina (not so tres) Jolie

By writerds 10 Comments

Categories: entertainment and wtf?

I would have sworn we’d left behind the days when a white actress in “Little Egyptian” make-up could pass for a woman of color. But I guess the ghost of Ava Gardner isn’t quite dead yet–not when you consider that Mother Angelina of the third world adoptions has decided to take on the role of Mariane Pearl the Afro-Cuban, Dutch-Jewish wife of journalist Daniel Pearl who met an untimely demise in enemy hands.

Sorry Angie, but having the lips doesn’t make you a sistah any more than having a dowager’s hump makes you a whale. Even if Mariane Pearl, given her mixed bag of heritages, doesn’t self-identify as as anything other than a “European woman” (and I haven’t done much checking to ascertain), here’s a note to you, Angie, hon: if you have to put on brown face and a kinky wig to play a role, perhaps that’s not the right part for you.

As for me, I won’t be watching it even if Netflix gives it out for free.

Jun

Does this sound like anyone you know?

By writerds 6 Comments

Categories: Uncategorized

I had this posted at one of my more esoteric blog sites but figured it might be apropos here as well.

AFTER SEX TALK ACCORDING TO YOUR ASTROLOGICAL SIGN

Aries:
“Okay, let’s do it again!”

Taurus:
“I’m hungry pass the food.”

Gemini:
“Have you seen the remote?”

Cancer:
“When are we getting married?”

Leo:
“Wasn’t I fantastic?”

Virgo:
“I need to wash the sheets.”

Libra:
“I liked it if you liked it.”

Scorpio:
“Perhaps I should untie you.”

Sagittarius:
“Don’t call me I’ll call you.”

Capricorn:
“Do you have a business card?”

Aquarius:
“Now let’s try it with our clothes off!”

Pisces:
“What did you say your name was again?”

Was it good for you?
(asked by Dee, the Scorpio)

Jun

How I’m Spending My Summer Vacation

By writerds 0 Comments

Categories: fun stuff, romance and writing

My Spring writing workshop has sprung, so now I’m onto the next quarter of the year–summer. What better way to celebrate the heat of the season than to focus on bringing the heat to our writing.

Whether you write romance, romantica, erotica or just plain fiction, many publishers are looking for a certain level of spice in the mix. And it’s not all about boys, toys and other joys (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Most of arousal, whether fictional or otherwise, is seated somewhat north of the gonads. That’s what our little course will focus on. Here are the dirty details:

Summer Sizzler Writing Workshop is now accepting students!!!

National bestselling, award winning author Deirdre Savoy will be facilitating this month-long workshop set to begin the week of July 16. This workshop is designed to help you bring that certain sizzle into your writing:

Course syllabus:

July 16: Biology of sexual chemistry
July 23: Making the most of the 5 senses
July 30: Euphemisms Anonymous: Ridding the purple from your prose
August 5: Slow burn to quick sizzle and everything in between

Each week, a lecture and assignment will be posted. Completion and posting of assigned work for peer review is not mandatory but advised if students want to get the most from the class.

How to register: Apply for group membership here. You will receive a student questionnaire and told how to make payment. Once tuition is received, you will be added to the group.

Tuition: $50 (plus $2.00 processing fee)

BONUS: FREE SCENE CRITIQUE (OR SYNOPSIS CRITIQUE IF YOU PREFER) FOR THE FIRST FIVE STUDENTS TO COMPLETE REGISTRATION!!!

Jun

Hello Out there

By writerds 4 Comments

Categories: non-smoking journal and the secret life of dee

Ye gods and little fishes, as my grandmother would say. I can’t believe this is my first post for June of this year. I went from being totally prolific on this blog to being drip-dropific. Shame, shame. Part of it is coping with the after effects of giving up smoking. After being smoke free for a little more than three months I am freaking falling apart. Or I was. I had that Respiratory Infection that Wouldn’t Die for a while. But now even that is gone. I just feel wrung out. I guess it’s time now for Dee Dee to gain some more strength.

Anyhoo, I’m back. Anybody got anything interesting they want to talk about? If so, give me a buzz.


Get into your most comfortable reading chair,
take off your shoes,
turn off the phone
and let Ms. Savoy's incredible talent take you away.


  --Debra Ross,
     Romance in Color

A skewed sense of humor has kept me sane through 10+ years of teaching and almost as many writing. I invite you to come in and look around. Leave a comment if you like. My goal is to leave you with a smile on your face and a few new thoughts to mull over. If you like the blog, please tell your friends. If not, tell your enemies.