Tiffany Clare

The Craft of Short Stories

Tiffany Clare — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:02:00 +0000

Every writer has their own writing process. For me, I tend to fly through the first half of the book I'm working on, then I basically stop and let the story sit for a month or two. During that time of trying to figure out the second half of the book, I am not idle. I'm editing, I'm forcing out scenes/or chunks of the story that happen in the latter half of the book, sometimes I'll move on to something else as I wait for the book to completely gel in my head, etc. This has been my process since I started writing. As you can see, I'm not much of a plotter :)

Every so often I try my hand at a short story while I wait for lightning to strike on my *big* story. I started a short story last year, and boy did I have a lot of fun with it! It's not done yet since I had to put it aside to work on a project with an actual deadline. I haven't written a short story since I sold my first series to St. Martin's, and can I tell you how refreshing it was? I felt rejuvenated. The one thing I love about writing short stories (and I had forgotten this since I wrote my last one) I don't have any hangups when I get to the middle because you don't generally have to hit the same plot crisis points or black moments in a short story as you do in a full length novel.

For those wondering about my short story, I will have more information in the next month or two on availability to my readers before my next release (November 2012) of the first book in my Mayfair Chronicles series. And remember, information will always be available to my newsletter subscribers first, so if you haven't already done so you can join my newsletter HERE!

Are you a fan of short stories? What do you like in a short story?

The Craft of Short Stories

Tiffany Clare — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:02:00 +0000

Every writer has their own writing process. For me, I tend to fly through the first half of the book I'm working on, then I basically stop and let the story sit for a month or two. During that time of trying to figure out the second half of the book, I am not idle. I'm editing, I'm forcing out scenes/or chunks of the story that happen in the latter half of the book, sometimes I'll move on to something else as I wait for the book to completely gel in my head, etc. This has been my process since I started writing. As you can see, I'm not much of a plotter :)

Every so often I try my hand at a short story while I wait for lightning to strike on my *big* story. I started a short story last year, and boy did I have a lot of fun with it! It's not done yet since I had to put it aside to work on a project with an actual deadline. I haven't written a short story since I sold my first series to St. Martin's, and can I tell you how refreshing it was? I felt rejuvenated. The one thing I love about writing short stories (and I had forgotten this since I wrote my last one) I don't have any hangups when I get to the middle because you don't generally have to hit the same plot crisis points or black moments in a short story as you do in a full length novel.

For those wondering about my short story, I will have more information in the next month or two on availability to my readers before my next release (November 2011) of the first book in my Mayfair Chronicles series. And remember, information will always be available to my newsletter subscribers first, so if you haven't already done so you can join my newsletter HERE!

Are you a fan of short stories? What do you like in a short story?

Hidden Talents, Home Made Presents for the Holidays

Tiffany Clare — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0000

I recently said to a friend (and I think it was Elyssa) that I was teaching my daughter how to crochet. She said, I didn't know you could crochet! I guess I probably hadn't ever said anything because I haven't crocheted for a number of years now (it's a time suck and I used to do it simply to kill the time when my kids were babies and sleeping in their bouncy chairs--bouncy with the aid of my foot)<--now you see why I had a lot of time to kill.

I recently picked it up again because my daughter has shown an interest, and because crocheted items make GREAT xmas presents. I'm making a total of five scarves plus one for my daughter (already made).

I can't knit at all, but I can crochet quite well. I think my love came from my great grandmother. I remember when I was growing up how she would make all her kids and grandchildren --there are like 50 of them (my mum, aunts and uncles, great aunts and uncles)--a lace doily every Christmas. Without fail. And when I was old enough she would make me one at Christmas, too! When she passed away a few years ago I asked the relatives if they had any doilies I could have, and they did not disappoint! So now I have a collection of the most beautiful lace doilies (stored right now) and a passion for crochet. I wonder if I would have ever learned how to crochet if I hadn't grown up with my great grandmother's beautiful doilies all around ours and our relatives houses!

Do you have any hidden talents? Do you make your Christmas/Holiday presents? If not, what would you like to learn how to make/create?

Deadlines and the craziness that is life

Tiffany Clare — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Yup, that sums up my life right about now. I'm on deadline for something by the end of the month, so I'm a writing maniac. I'm on deadlines galore for the day job, so I'm not really sure if I'm coming or going anymore. I don't think I've had a breather since . . . since . . . okay, I don't know when my last breather was. I'm totally taking a vacation with the kids in the very early spring because I don't feel like I've done that in an eon, either!

Not that I'm writing nearly as much as my NaNo friends, I do plan on putting 10K to paper in the next week and a bit. Here's the bit where I say I need competition. Cause I actually do. That actually makes me write faster if I think I can win (that's my competitive Aries ruling me)!

Who wants to write 10K this week with me? Come on, you know it'll be fun and full of stressful awesomeness that is a reward in and of itself. So who's in? Anyone else feel like the universe is playing a crazy trick on them by making life hectic for the past few months?

NaNoWriMo

Tiffany Clare — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 08:22:00 +0000

It's National Novel Writing Month! I wasn't going to blog about this since I often don't participate in this event annually (and I'm not sure I can write 50K in one month--most I've ever done is 40K), but I do cheer on friends and set significant writing goals for myself for the month of November.

How many of our blog readers are joining the NaNoWriMo madness?

While I might not be officially signed up, I do have writing goals this month - to work on two projects simultaneously and accomplish a great deal of writing on both before the edits come in for the first book in my new trilogy--which I'm calling The Mayfair Chronicles.

So, let this be a goal setting month, readers.

Share your goals with us in the comments. And we can all hold each other accountable for achieving those goals!

Fun Facts & Author Bios!

Tiffany Clare — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Most authors I know hate writing their bios. It's so odd talking about ourselves when we make up stories about fictional characters for a living. My bio is incredibly short because I don't like to talk about myself, though funnily enough, it tends to be all about me one-on-one with friends.

I have a secret -- I don't like my bio. I want my about page to be full of fun so I'm thinking of updating it with fun facts. I know other authors do this (I can't recall which at the moment) but I always enjoy fun odd facts about people.

Some things you might no know about me:

I don't drive. I don't even have a driver's license. I once had my learner's permit, but let it expire because I didn't like driving.

My friend calls me Sheldon (Big Bang Theory) because I have major lunchroom OCD. Yes, I make people get out of my seat if they've daringly tried to steal it! And I will make others move on occasion to sit in the seats they are supposed to occupy while I'm in the lunch room.

That's all I have for now.

So what questions do you have for me? Which authors bios do you like most? Do you even read author bios?

Favorite Holiday Food, Happy Thanksgiving

Tiffany Clare — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:39:00 +0000

Thanksgiving comes early October in Canada! So I thought I'd share a favorite holiday recipe with our readers today of mixed vegetables and seasonal yummies.

What you need:

wash, chop, mix in a pan:

2 large yams (1 inch chunks)
3 medium potatoes (1 inch chunks)
1 rutabaga (1 inch chunks)
2 large green apples (1 inch chunks, keep the skin on)
4 parsnips (peeled and cut)
4 carrots (chopped)
1 cup of dried cranberries
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
(1 small Spanish onion--optional) I say this is optional because I don't eat onions and find it muddies most recipes

liquid mixture:

1/3 cup real maple syrup
1 stem of rosemary peeled and put in the mixture
1/2 cup of olive oil
4 cloves of garlic (I crush mine)

pour on the liquids.

place 2 sprigs of rosemary on top of the pot full.

preheat the oven to 400 Fahrenheit and cook for 45 minutes or until browned. (stirring occassionaly while it's in the oven)

I hope you try and enjoy my recipe, and have a great weekend whether or not you are celebrating Thanksgiving!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELYSSA!

Tiffany Clare — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:08:00 +0000

It's someone's birthday today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELYSSA!

May today be filled with chocolate, cupcakes and hot men :)

Man-titty and something Subarashii

Tiffany Clare — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0000

<--So I like my man-titty. Meet Tristan Bradley, Marquess of Castleigh. Isn't he hot? He's my new hero in the second book of my new trilogy.

Isn't he hot???

In case you weren't sure, I have MORE pictures. Look at the intensity in his eyes.

*wipes up drool*

The best thing about new heroes . . . That means I finished a book (see blog below). Leo and Genny have had their HEA, and now it's time for Tristan and his lady.... hubba hubba.

Are you wondering what Subarashii means? It's AWESOME in Japanese (at least I hope it is). Because, The Surrender of a Lady will be translated to Japanese!!!! How exciting is that?

Anyone else got some news to share? Also, don't you think my hero is hot? Tristan (btw) is a total player--teehee, until he meets his very worthy heroine.

Man Candy & Writing

Tiffany Clare — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 08:54:00 +0000

You like that, don't you? Though this hot man is in the True Blood series as a wolf shifter, he is also doubling as my man candy inspiration for my newest hero, Leo.

I haven't found a picture for Genny, but really, how can I look when I have pictures like
<----that in my image file?

I haven't said much about my newest trilogy yet, probably because I'm on an insane deadline to complete it before September (only 19K to go). This will also be my fastest book written to date (got a whole three months to do this project).

Hmm, me thinks I should do a shout out for anyone who wants to do a writing challenge.

Over the weekend, I did spurts of writing 1K in an hour with other twitter friends and will continue to do so over the next week and some. But if anyone wants to write 20K right along with me over the rest of the month, I'm totally up for the challenge. Just post in the comments that you are in and I'll do follow up blogs for everyone's process.

Happy writing!