Sloan Parker

Today I’m the guest blogger over at the Loose Id Author blog. I’m talking about what I do when I get a creative block. Can anyone explain why this stuff works?

Writing When the Muse Is Asleep

I guest blogged at Loose Ends (the Loose Id author blog) today. I talked about creativity and where it comes from. Stop by and let me know where you think people get their creativity. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Stretching the Creative Muscles

I’m the guest blogger over at Loose Ends (the Loose Id Author blog) today. I shared about my writing process and the recent bit of panic with the outline for my latest work in progress, Trapped.

You can check it out here

Hope you have a good one!
Sloan

Here’s this week’s quote I love…

I’m brainstorming for my next story right now, so I thought I’d share one of my fav quotes about writing.

“Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.”

-Barbara Kingsolver

Today was a frustrating writing day, but I usually get those during the plotting phase so I’m okay with it. Tomorrow will go better.

Thanks to all my on-line friends for your continued support!
Sloan

This one’s for my writing friends. Some good advice from short story writer Kurt Vonnegut.

Video embedded above. If you can’t view, try the original blog post.

Today was my first day blogging at the Loose Id author blog, Loose Ends. I wrote about why I like to read and write erotic romances.

I’d love for you to stop by and share your reasons for reading romance and/or erotic romance.

Why erotic romances? Is it more than sex & lust?

Many thanks,
Sloan

Once a week I post about something I’m loving (tv, movies, books, art, photos, romances, authors, or anything else). So here is this week’s For the Love of…

Writers are usually very solitary people. We spend hours and hours in our own heads, playing with thoughts and images until we get a story poured out onto the “paper.” We spend a lot of time listening to made-up people. It’s rewarding and challenging, but it can also suck when you get stuck on something. Group brainstorming can help.

Last weekend I spent two days with a group of local writers. We rotated between individual writing time and group brainstorming. It was a rare chance for me to get input and story inspiration from others, as well as an opportunity to help brainstorm in other genres. It was a productive, fun weekend. The entire process helped me get a jump-start on some conflict ideas for my next book.  (And let me just say, I’m so mean to my characters…it’s worth it though).

That’s the great thing about group brainstorming. No matter how many of the ideas I end up using, the entire process motivated me and also sparked my own ideas after I got home and my mind kept running through my story.

Thanks to my writing pals: Connie, Jennie, Lesly, Rita, and KateLynn. You guys rock!! I loved hearing about your stories. Best of luck on your writing!

Any other writers out there ever try group brainstorming, either online or in person? What process works for you?

I’d love to hear about it.
Sloan Parker

Here’s this week’s quote I love from writer Victor J. Banis…

“…I can get those ideas anywhere and everywhere – sometimes at the most inconvenient times. I have actually been making whoopee with someone and had this killer bit of dialogue slip into my head. Talk about losing your focus!”

Victor J. Banis (author)
From Rick Reed’s blog series Why I Write

Almost spit my OJ on the keyboard with that one. Thanks for sharing, Victor.

Once a week I post about something I’m loving (tv, movies, books, art, photos, romances, authors, or anything else). So here is this week’s For the Love of…

I love intense drama in the fiction I read and write. I love emotional and physical conflict. I love when characters suffer. I like to “watch” them squirm (both in and out of the bedroom). Yeah, I’m evil like that. ;-)

I want to experience their journey as they build themselves back up, stronger than ever. I like a love story where the characters help each other find peace and happiness–help each other become who each is meant to be.

And in the end? I want the happy ending. I want to go along for the ride on their emotional journey and feel that peace myself. To be reminded that even when the world around us can really suck, those moments of love and happiness make the journey worth living.

Yep, I’m a sap. How about you? Do you only read love stories with happy endings?

Sloan Parker

Once a week I post a quote I love. It may be related to writing, inspiration, lgbt issues, my own life, or anything else that interests me. So here’s this week’s Quote I Love…

“When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.”

Helen Keller

I’ve seen this quote many times over the years, and I still love it. This woman always amazed me. Nothing held her back. We should all be so brave and bold.