Meg Lacey's Blog - Posts Tagged "relationships"
Talking about... laughter
I think laughter is one of the happiest moments of all. It not only changes your face and your body, but it changes your outlook as well. How can you stay in the dumps when something unexpected makes you laugh?
Have you ever watched the face of a person reading a book? Every page evokes a feeling, and the face and body express it. I started thinking about it when I found myself smiling and nodding as I read a novel. At the time it was a romance novel, but the same thing happens when one reads suspense or mystery, or fantasy. Each of these genres provokes an appropriate physical response. For example, a mystery might cause a wrinkled brow as the reader tries to discover the puzzle, fantasy a pursed lip as the wonder unfolds, etc.
I started writing romance because I like happy endings and also because it was a field that welcomed a lot of new authors, with or without an agent. Generally, I had read a lot of thrillers, mystery and adventure, history and non-fiction, but not tons of romance, except for the classics like Georgette Heyer, Mary Stewart, etc. That changed after I read my first one. I remember it vividly. It was the first Harlequin Romance I’d ever read. It was called, “Dear Villain,” and was written by Jacqueline Gilbert, a British writer. I picked it up because it took place in a repertory theatre in England. As a theatre person, I was intrigued so I bought it. I loved the characters, the love story, the setting and the wit in the book. I wanted to write one too.
So I did.
I find that I gravitate toward stories of relationships and that is generally in the romance realm. I wrote for Silhouette and Harlequin, and most recently for Imajinn Books, Entangled Publishing and Samhain with my first book, “Million Dollar Mistake.” This is book one of the Million Dollar Men series. It is out now digitally and in print format. I am currently working on the second book in that series.
However, I also love fantasy, the idea of what if something happening that I can’t really see or hear or feel in everyday life… that led me to write my first paranormal romance and romance series for Imajinn Books. I find I love rituals and imagination and the ability to write a story that has those elements, plus mystery and adventure elements along with a sassy woman and hot strong personality man…. Bingo, that got me to “The Sparrow and The Hawk,” which is the first book in the “Tales of the Sparrow” series and is out in digital and print form. Book two, “The Sparrow and the Vixen’s Three,” is currently in the editing process.
My work is always filled with humor; a good sense of humor is a must for me to enjoy my work and my life. I also think I have a good sense of the ridiculous and enjoy exploiting it when it fits the plot. I think the “Tales of the Sparrow” series will be a lot of fun for readers. My first book for Entangled Publishing, is “Something’s Cooking.” It is a fun, wacky romance about a TV chef who can’t really cook and the investigative reporter who is determined to get to the truth. There are also recipes at the back as a bonus. It’s out digitally from Entangled.
I’ve been busy, but I am never too busy to find something amusing. It doesn’t have to be a big something. It can be a quiet chuckle or even a little smile. But, every time I find something that tickles my funny bone, I feel better. So find something to smile at each day. Happy endings can come to everyone when you least expect it.
How about you? Have you smiled or laughed today?
Sincerely
Meg
https://www.meglacey.com https://www.facebook.com/meglaceybooks
Twitter: @MegLaceyBooks
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Something's Cooking
Have you ever watched the face of a person reading a book? Every page evokes a feeling, and the face and body express it. I started thinking about it when I found myself smiling and nodding as I read a novel. At the time it was a romance novel, but the same thing happens when one reads suspense or mystery, or fantasy. Each of these genres provokes an appropriate physical response. For example, a mystery might cause a wrinkled brow as the reader tries to discover the puzzle, fantasy a pursed lip as the wonder unfolds, etc.
I started writing romance because I like happy endings and also because it was a field that welcomed a lot of new authors, with or without an agent. Generally, I had read a lot of thrillers, mystery and adventure, history and non-fiction, but not tons of romance, except for the classics like Georgette Heyer, Mary Stewart, etc. That changed after I read my first one. I remember it vividly. It was the first Harlequin Romance I’d ever read. It was called, “Dear Villain,” and was written by Jacqueline Gilbert, a British writer. I picked it up because it took place in a repertory theatre in England. As a theatre person, I was intrigued so I bought it. I loved the characters, the love story, the setting and the wit in the book. I wanted to write one too.
So I did.
I find that I gravitate toward stories of relationships and that is generally in the romance realm. I wrote for Silhouette and Harlequin, and most recently for Imajinn Books, Entangled Publishing and Samhain with my first book, “Million Dollar Mistake.” This is book one of the Million Dollar Men series. It is out now digitally and in print format. I am currently working on the second book in that series.
However, I also love fantasy, the idea of what if something happening that I can’t really see or hear or feel in everyday life… that led me to write my first paranormal romance and romance series for Imajinn Books. I find I love rituals and imagination and the ability to write a story that has those elements, plus mystery and adventure elements along with a sassy woman and hot strong personality man…. Bingo, that got me to “The Sparrow and The Hawk,” which is the first book in the “Tales of the Sparrow” series and is out in digital and print form. Book two, “The Sparrow and the Vixen’s Three,” is currently in the editing process.
My work is always filled with humor; a good sense of humor is a must for me to enjoy my work and my life. I also think I have a good sense of the ridiculous and enjoy exploiting it when it fits the plot. I think the “Tales of the Sparrow” series will be a lot of fun for readers. My first book for Entangled Publishing, is “Something’s Cooking.” It is a fun, wacky romance about a TV chef who can’t really cook and the investigative reporter who is determined to get to the truth. There are also recipes at the back as a bonus. It’s out digitally from Entangled.
I’ve been busy, but I am never too busy to find something amusing. It doesn’t have to be a big something. It can be a quiet chuckle or even a little smile. But, every time I find something that tickles my funny bone, I feel better. So find something to smile at each day. Happy endings can come to everyone when you least expect it.
How about you? Have you smiled or laughed today?
Sincerely
Meg
https://www.meglacey.com https://www.facebook.com/meglaceybooks
Twitter: @MegLaceyBooks
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Something's Cooking
Relationships-Mother and Daughters
In my new book, “Something’s Cooking,” from Entangled Indulgence, a number of readers have commented on the realistic relationships between the Tess Banyon and her mother, Clarie, and sister, Marla, I’ve been told the loving and squabbling relationships they all share as Tess prepares to shoot her first tv show, and Clarie and Marla work behind the scenes reminds many women of their relationship with their mother or sister(s).
I am so delighted to hear these comments as this is what I want readers to feel. Naturally the romance between Tess Banyon and Josh Faraday is the heart of the book, but I’ve also tried to show a realistic relationship between the three women in the story. I think it adds a great deal to the understanding and enjoyment of Tess Banyon’s character. I’m so happy to hear many of you agree.
In the story when Tess starts her show, she calls on her Mom and Sister to work with her, believing with all her heart that they are the ones to help her bring her creative ideas to fruition. They are a key part of Tess’s team. Clarie is the kitchen genius and Marla is the crafty expert, while Tess thinks up the ideas and presents them in such as way that her fans cheer. They are essential to Tess’s success.
Their relationship is loving and giving, but at the same time they squabble, joke, annoy, exasperate and champion each other. Tess, Clarie and Marla can disagree, and often do, but when the chips are down they are always there with support, lending a helping hand, or even a witty comment to break the tension.
I wanted to show a loving, friendly and comfortable relationship between these three different women.
Tess is the overly ambitious one, as evidenced by the ‘Tess Banyon Living’ Network she is building with her cooking, craft and lifestyle ideas. Her sister, Marla, on the other hand is perfectly content with her marriage and her two daughters. This is the same type of role her mother, Clarie, had fulfilled when the two sisters were growing up. Both of these women chose to make a home and family their first priority and could afford to so—not an option for many women. Most of all, I wanted the three of them to respect each other and respect their individual choices.
I understand this relationship because it mirrors my own experiences. I have three daughters, all grown now, but the three of them are actually my best friends. That’s not to say we were always that way. OMG-No! When my youngest daughter was thirteen she patted my shoulder and said: “Don’t worry, Mom, it’s just a phase. I’ll grow out of it.” I told her she’d better hurry up or I’d have to freeze her until she was twenty-one. Obviously she figured that having two sisters before her left me at the end of my rope. LOL
Raising three daughters with minds of their own wasn’t always easy. I had to remind myself that I was the parent and it was my (and my husband’s ) responsibility to raise them and not be their ‘bestie,’ when it would have been easier to give in. I made tons of mistakes, and so did they. But the end result for my daughters and myself is a mirror of my relationship and friendship with my own mother, Ruth, who is no longer with me, and whom I miss every day.
My three daughters have become people I can be very proud of…they are funny, mouthy, independent, creative, thoughtful, and caring. At times they are also single-minded, critical and volatile—not any different from their mother, now that I think about it.
More importantly my daughters have grown into people I respect, can talk and laugh with, disagree with, and in short—they’ve become women I like to be around. If that is how people feel when they read about Tess and her Mom and Sister, then I’m absolutely thrilled.
So please tell me about your relationships.
Meg
I am so delighted to hear these comments as this is what I want readers to feel. Naturally the romance between Tess Banyon and Josh Faraday is the heart of the book, but I’ve also tried to show a realistic relationship between the three women in the story. I think it adds a great deal to the understanding and enjoyment of Tess Banyon’s character. I’m so happy to hear many of you agree.
In the story when Tess starts her show, she calls on her Mom and Sister to work with her, believing with all her heart that they are the ones to help her bring her creative ideas to fruition. They are a key part of Tess’s team. Clarie is the kitchen genius and Marla is the crafty expert, while Tess thinks up the ideas and presents them in such as way that her fans cheer. They are essential to Tess’s success.
Their relationship is loving and giving, but at the same time they squabble, joke, annoy, exasperate and champion each other. Tess, Clarie and Marla can disagree, and often do, but when the chips are down they are always there with support, lending a helping hand, or even a witty comment to break the tension.
I wanted to show a loving, friendly and comfortable relationship between these three different women.
Tess is the overly ambitious one, as evidenced by the ‘Tess Banyon Living’ Network she is building with her cooking, craft and lifestyle ideas. Her sister, Marla, on the other hand is perfectly content with her marriage and her two daughters. This is the same type of role her mother, Clarie, had fulfilled when the two sisters were growing up. Both of these women chose to make a home and family their first priority and could afford to so—not an option for many women. Most of all, I wanted the three of them to respect each other and respect their individual choices.
I understand this relationship because it mirrors my own experiences. I have three daughters, all grown now, but the three of them are actually my best friends. That’s not to say we were always that way. OMG-No! When my youngest daughter was thirteen she patted my shoulder and said: “Don’t worry, Mom, it’s just a phase. I’ll grow out of it.” I told her she’d better hurry up or I’d have to freeze her until she was twenty-one. Obviously she figured that having two sisters before her left me at the end of my rope. LOL
Raising three daughters with minds of their own wasn’t always easy. I had to remind myself that I was the parent and it was my (and my husband’s ) responsibility to raise them and not be their ‘bestie,’ when it would have been easier to give in. I made tons of mistakes, and so did they. But the end result for my daughters and myself is a mirror of my relationship and friendship with my own mother, Ruth, who is no longer with me, and whom I miss every day.
My three daughters have become people I can be very proud of…they are funny, mouthy, independent, creative, thoughtful, and caring. At times they are also single-minded, critical and volatile—not any different from their mother, now that I think about it.
More importantly my daughters have grown into people I respect, can talk and laugh with, disagree with, and in short—they’ve become women I like to be around. If that is how people feel when they read about Tess and her Mom and Sister, then I’m absolutely thrilled.
So please tell me about your relationships.
Meg
