Meet the Cast of Wicked Ways

One day when I had five free minutes an idea came to me about my upcoming novel, WICKED WAYS. As many of you know that is the sequel to GETTING HERS. Well, I wanted to do something a bit different this time. So I let my characters lead the way... the result is my Wicked Ways blog.

Here you can see and meet the characters, read what they have to say about themselves and each other. And I will plant some information along the way, leading up to the release of Wicked Ways on Oct. 2.

So when you get a minute, stop by Wicked Ways

Bear with me as I continue to build the site. But in the meantime feel free to leave your comments!

Paige's Tangled Web Revealed

I did it once before with a previous release and it was fun, so I thought I would try it again. Here's my one on one interview with the main character of Paige's Web.

Paige Christine Webb is the #1 Events Planner in North Texas.

Shelia Goss: I heard as a single woman, you have several rules you follow. Do you care to share it with the audience?
Paige: Sure. Rule number one: Date More Than One Man. Rule number two: Never Agree to an Exclusive Relationship. Rule number three: Run Like a Track Star at the First Sign of Love.

Shelia: Those are some rules. So how many men are you dating right now?
Paige: There’s Marvin. He’s a computer programmer. He’s a few years younger than I am, so I guess you can call me a cougar (smile). Now Alvin (fanning herself), I can’t get enough of Alvin. He’s older than I am, but you would never know it because he has more energy than the energizer bunny.

Shelia: Sounds like you have your hands full with those two. Anyone else?
Paige: Oh how could I forget Tyler. Tyler and I have been friends for a few years. We met during an event hosted by Antonio, my ex-fiance, events.

Shelia: Is your ex-fiance the reason why you don’t trust men?
Paige: I never said I didn’t trust men. I would rather play them before they play me.

Shelia: Can you elaborate?
Paige: Yes. As you can tell, meeting men is not an issue. My problem is with the “ever after.” I don’t think men really want a serious commitment. Take Antonio. He knew he was stringing me along but didn’t tell me he didn’t want to get married until the day of the wedding. How do you think that made me feel?

Shelia: I’m sure it must have hurt.
Paige: It hurt deep to the core (touching her heart). I felt humiliated and let down. I got depressed and vowed to never allow myself to be put in the position to fall in love again.

Shelia: Sorry to hear that. I know there are many of the audience who have gone through heartaches before. How do you find the time to juggle the men you mentioned?
Paige: I’m the owner of one of the fasting rising event planning companies in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. My organizational skills are superb. Managing three men is a piece of cake compared to my day to day business operations. (A one carat pear-shaped diamond ring sparkles when Paige moves her hand).

Shelia: That’s a nice ring. Did you buy it to ward off men?
Paige: Well, uh. No. (Averting eyes)

Shelia: Hmmm. Is there something you’re not telling me?
Paige: There is, but if you want to know more, read Paige’s Web. (Paige leaves a copy of the book on the desk).

More about Paige's Web:

The idea for Paige’s Web came to me out of the blue. I thought it would be interesting to show that men aren’t the only ones who have commitment phobias. People assume that it’s always the woman who wants to settle down; but in Paige Christine Webb’s case, it’s the men. She finds herself tangled in a web of lies as she works her way through her insecurities.

Paige was a fun character to write. Some of the situations she finds herself in are comical and will have readers laughing out loud.

Paige's Web will be in stores in October.

Shelia M. Goss is also the author of My Invisible Husband, Roses are thorns, Violets are true and Double Platinum (coming Spring 2008). Visit her website for more information: www.sheliagoss.com.

The process of manuscript to novel to published work doesn't end when the publisher sends the book to the distributor for pre-sale orders in the bookstore. The next major phase of marketing and publicity is fully underway. This is the time when reviews, booksignings, interviews and other publicity are conducted.

My book - Straight To The Heart, a September release, has already been sighted in Walmart. It's available in bookstores for a month, via on-line sources like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or eharlequin.com for an extended period. As a first, the book's format is also available as an e-book via http://eharlequin.com/. All future books will be in print and electronic.

Straight To The Heart is the third in a series. Bad news is that Sweet Surrender (Book 1) and Here And Now (Book 2) are sold out, even on my publisher's site. Good news is that http://barnesandnoble.com/ and http://amazon.com/ may still have copies.

Reviews for Straight To The Heart (published Harlequin - Kimani Press) are coming in:

Romantic Times Bookclub: Multilayered characters, intertwined lives and stories with an unexpected twist make Straight to the Heart (4), by Michelle Monkou, intriguing.

Single Titles.Com: Straight to the Heart is like smooth dark chocolate, and got this reader’s attention from the very beginning. Omar and Stacy are realistically created characters that felt remarkably like close friends. When they shared a scene, there were fireworks. Both are intelligent and self-reliant, warm and loyal to those they care about, passionate and sexy. Manager, Brenda is a little on the “hard-edged” side, but understandably so; she adds that extra “something” to make the storyline fresh and original. Author, Michelle Monkou is a gifted writer with the uncanny ability to draw the reader right into the lives of her characters. Definitely an author to watch, she has certainly made a fan of this reader.

Upcoming booksignings:

BWI airport (Waldenbooks) on Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Turn The Page - Author Nora Robert's family bookstore on Nov. 3 (see http://ttpbooks.com/ for schedule)

To stay connected:
Join mail list on http://michellemonkou.com/
Add Friend on http://myspace.com/michellemonkou

Marathon

I'm currently taking a mental break in writing my latest short story Marathon. My main character, Alex, is dealing with the loss of his right leg while serving in the military overseas in Iraq. The devastating effects have taken their physical, mental and emotional toll on Alex and his relationship with his wife, Cynthia.

I've been on a roll this past weekend and getting ready to put the finishing touches on the short story. It took me a minute to get into the mood to write again because I wasn't sure how to begin. I approached this task similar to the way I wrote each chapter for my novel One Love: create a handwritten outline identifying the characters, settings, themes, goals, etc. I wanted to accomplish in the story. Sometimes the ideas work and sometimes they don't, depending on the direction my writing takes me. Below is a sample of an outline from One Love (Spoiler Warning: If you haven't read One Love and are interested in doing so, you may want to skip this part!):

One Love - Chapter 22

• P.O.V. - Regina/Gigi
• Chapter's goals - Gigi confronts both Cami, her best friend, and Leon, her ex-boyfriend.
• Setting - The Crimson Moon Coffeehouse and Camille's, Cami's hair salon.
• Round II - Gigi vs. Cami
• Gigi was suppose to meet Leon at the Crimson Moon, but he no-showed.
• Cami reveals to Gigi she didn't go through with her abortion. Gigi will have flashbacks about her experience while Cami's talking. Gigi will also regret her decision.
• Gigi's lines in this chapter:
• "Someday, Cami, I may find the heart and the strength to forgive you, but I won't ever forget what you said."
• "A drunken mouth speaks a sober mind..." (This was omitted!)
• April, the girls' friend, will be there as a mediator, much to Gigi's surprise.
• Leon leaves Gigi a message on her answering machine at home.
• Gigi calls Chris, her romantic suitor, the night before but he never returned her call (This too was omitted!)
• Gigi picks up a flyer for the One Love poetry series that features Chris.
• The main objective will be the end of Gigi's and Cami's friendship. On the flipside, it's the beginning of Gigi's and April's renewed friendship.
• April will call Gigi later that evening to speak with her. She'll reveal to Gigi she had an abortion. (This was changed slightly as April wound up coming to Gigi's house unannounced!)
• Crimson Moon Coffeehouse
• ceiling fan, zebra and leopard print chairs, African tapestry on orange wall
• multicolored ceiling lights and beige sofa
• silver beaded curtains
• dessert trays
• black mermaid along red wall
• music playing - A Tribe Called Quest's Award Tour (This was changed to Common's The Light).
• Koko Darling, the owner - scarlet dress, black flats, brown skin complexion, silver earrings, black scarf
• cafe latte, cappucino (Gigi winds up drinking the former)

Good music also puts me in the mood to write: a song that represents the essence of what I'm trying to capture in any piece - poem, short story, essay, chapter, etc. For Marathon, I've been repeatedly listening to Don Henley's New York Minute because it's the perfect for the story's theme: appreciating all that you have.

Well, the night is young and I need to get back to work. Hope this advice was beneficial for you.

For more information about me, please check out my website and the following links:

http:/www.BillHolmes.com
http:/www.myspace.com/BillHolmes
http:/www.myspace.com/BillHolmesPoetry

Take care and be blessed.

;-)

Bill Holmes
Poet, Writer and ESSENCE Best Selling Author of One Love
www.BillHolmes.com

"Every word I write is an extension of my breath, my heart, and my soul that I want the world to share and to remember long after my life has come to an end."