Tag: Cowboys

Growing as a Writer…

As a writer you have to learn from your mistakes. I’ve changed my writing quite a bit since the first published book. I’ve started to slow down the process a little. Now I actually go back every so many pages and edit. Not every time, but some of the time.

I’ve learned to write from my heart and not to try to please everyone. It’s hard to please all the wants of your readers. Sometimes I add a couple of elements that readers request. I even made some changes to one of my older publications to please a couple of readers requests. They just wanted a little extra information on the characters out of curiosity.

It’s been a wild ride this writing gig. I’ve started several blogs and Twitter pages. So, I guess I’ve grown in social media. As I’ve said many times, I’ve never been a social media butterfly. My blog posts have evolved also. I’ve listened to readers and gained a lot of friends and followers through it. 

I’ve realized that not everyone is going to like your writing and not everyone is going to like cowboys. Why I don’t know, but that’s ok.

Have you grown as a writer? Do you learn from your mistakes? 

As always good writing and May God Bless You…

Horses and Romance Novels…

ImageSomeone asked me not too long ago why 95% of my novels have horses in them. I smiled and said well I love them. They just looked at me and laughed. I don’t know what was funny in that statement but I smiled and went on my way.

Have you ever just sat and watched a horse? Ok, so maybe that’s just a thing I do, but really have you? They are so graceful with everything they do. Even when they’re spooked they sidestep gracefully. The strength that emanates from them is extraordinary. I love to just stand beside a horse and feel the strength. I know it sounds strange, but try it sometimes.

Horses have been a part of our culture since forever. Before we had cars we depended on them to get us from point a to point b. They pulled our plows and did the hard stuff. If the horse was down, we were down. Most people owned a horse of some sort. When cars came along the horse was slowly pushed out of the way. 

They’re so useful in many ways. They can be used in therapy for many ailments or disabilities. A child can be brought out of depression just by rubbing the nose or coat of a gentle horse and interacting with them.  It’s really amazing, I’ve seen it. 

For me I use them in my novels to help with the story. Who doesn’t like a good cowboy romance? Well maybe not everyone, but I sure do. There’s something about a rugged, weathered cowboy falling for his love. A true cowboy almost always has good character and hard work ethic. Their hands are weathered from the reins and hard work. No soft male hands with a cowboy. Not a dime store cowboy, but a real cowboy.

Ok, well I’m off my horse and cowboy rant for the day. Just a look into my warped mind. Scary I know, but it’s me, take it or leave it. I’m a country girl and just keeping it real. No put on here. 

As always, good writing and May God bless you…

Horses & Cowboys! Oh My!

Well, I don’t normally blog on Saturday night, but since deer hunting season has hit, I am going to be spending a lot of time alone, so get used to hearing a lot from me. I’m fine being alone, it gives me time to write and do things around the house that usually get put to the wayside. So, I make good use of the time.

If you have read my books you will know that there is always horses and cowboys. If you can’t tell by now I love horses and what comes with horses, well cowboys of course. I had someone ask me this week why I always write about girls falling for cowboys. I always smile and say it’s hard not to fall in love with a cowboy.

I was driving up the road I live on this morning and one of my neighbors has horses in his back pasture. I was watching one of them, a gorgeous jet black one. It was walking so majestic and regal. I couldn’t help but smile. I have always loved horses and the power they have. They are such gentle animals and sometimes so misunderstood. In one of my books a character is in an accident and she loses her eyesight. Through therapy with a horse, she regains her sight. They can be so helpful with all sorts of disabilities. During the writing of that book (Moonbeam & Roses) I did a lot of research on the topic of using horses for different types of therapy. It was amazing what can be accomplished through these wondrous creatures.

As for cowboys, it has been a longtime dream of mine to own a ranch. Maybe one day I will own that ranch, but until then, I will live through my writing. I have known many true cowboys and they are a special breed of person. There is something about a Stetson and cowboy boots, not to mention the cowboy swagger that just makes me smile.

Basking in the glow…

Well as I bask in the glow of the first weekend of “A Love Never Lost” my newest novel, I contemplate what next? I know in my previous blog I talked about finishing one of the many that have been started. Well, boy was I wrong. As I sat with my trusty laptop on my lap watching television, my mind kept drifting to the 2nd part to my “Flames of Love” series.

All that has been started on that one is the name, which usually doesn’t come to me until midway or after I type The End. This one came to me before I ever finished the first book in that series, “Tender Flames”. It has done really well on the free offering on Smashwords.com as it has garnered over 1000 Downloads.

Today I will follow my heart which is what any romance author should do. That following will lead me into “Rekindled Flames” and carry on the “Flames of Love” series. I know my assistant is probably going to strangle me, but I have to follow my gut feeling and it says go for it, step out there and jump.

So as we go into this dreary southern Monday (it is raining in Georgia, finally), have a good day and remember it is only 5 days until the weekend.

It’s Done!

♥It is official. My new book will be debuting at the end of this week on Amazon and Smashwords. I am really excited about this book. It is the longest manuscript I have completed and it is now my favorite of all my books.

I just have a good feeling about this one. It is a contemporary romance novel, intertwined with suspense. It has been a work that took a lot out of me. I have struggled with how certain parts would go. But when all is said and done, I am pleased. So here is an excerpt, so hope you like it:

She slowly turned in his arms. She heard his sudden intake of breath. She looked up into his eyes and saw what she had feared. He was feeling the same thing as her. His eyes were dark with desire. She had to get a grip, but that was past reasoning.

He looked down into her eyes. It was as though this moment was made for them. They were the only two people on earth. He ran his hands slowly up her arms and framed her face with his hands. He was holding his breath. He finally took in a cleansing breath.

He knew he had to kiss her. If he didn’t he would surely explode. He slowly lowered his lips to hers. She realized what was about to happen. This was wrong somehow this had to be wrong.

She pulled her head back and turned back toward the window. He just stood there. He was unable to move. He wanted to kiss her so badly. His whole body was vibrating with desire for her.

He turned her back toward him. She kept her eyes focused on his boots. He reached out and lifted her chin so that she was looking at him. He could see desire and confusion in her eyes.

“What’s happening here?” He asked the question, but he knew the answer.                               

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s the circumstances.” She tried to pull away but he held her steady. He leaned his forehead toward hers. They stood there for a moment just trying to breath.

She put her hand on his chest. She could feel his heart beating wildly. She knew that he wanted to kiss her. She was so afraid that things would never be the same for them if they kissed. Her heart told her that it would never be the same if they did not kiss.

Well that was just a small tidbit, don’t want to give too much away. Look for it by the end of the week. The trailer video should be up this afternoon on Youtube. Just look for Stephanie Hurt videos.

Have a wonderful day and good writing as always!

Third Cup of Coffee!

Well, it’s Thursday morning. My son is at school and my hubby has gone to work. My mind in swirling with words to put into my current book. I am so excited about this new one.

I just can’t seem to type fast enough to get the words out of my head. I can see the whole ending and I am chomping at the bit or keys as it would be. I worked last night in between watching “The Voice”. My son kept looking at me like I was crazy. I was actually smiling and chewing my lip as I typed.

Have you ever been so into a manuscript that your every thought was focused on it? I had a new thought yesterday for a new spin that has totally rocked my manuscript. One of my characters is going totally on another direction from the original thought.

It is funny how your mind works when you are into a manuscript. You think you have the right answers, but as you type your mind goes ahead of your fingers and totally changes everything. It is so cool how the process just develops on the scope of the work. I can’t tell you where the idea is going, because that would be a “spoiler”. I can tell you that my editor/assistant read up to what I had finished yesterday and she is now not speaking to me. She said she could not believe that I let her read it to that point and left her hanging over a cliff with no reprieve. I just smiled and knew I had accomplished what I wanted.

I know I have said other books were my favorite, but I can honestly say this one has taken 1st prize in my heart. I have honed my writing skills and took into account different reviews of my other books. I have changed techniques and ways of describing characters and places. Just can’t wait to type the end, but then again it has been such a big part of my life for the past month or so that I will probably have withdrawals. LOL!!!♥

Check out “Ghost Lover” on Amazon, Smashwords, and CreateSpace.

Check out “Ghost Lover” on Amazon, Smashwords, and CreateSpace..

“A Love Never Lost” Oh the turns it’s made!

“A Love Never Lost” My “New Book” as it was affectionately called until Tuesday is almost finished. The cover is ready and it now has an official name. Now I have to finish it.

When I started this book I had an idea of where the characters were headed. I knew what I wanted to be the premise of the story. Well, in the writing world, as many of you know, my characters have had a mind of their own. This week one of my characters took on a whole new mindset. It has been exciting seeing where they would go.

Those that are not writers are probably saying to yourself, this lady has truly lost her mind. Well that would be true (Smiling and nodding yes!), but in the case of my writing, I have to go with the flow. Let the river turn and churn where it needs to in order to make it interesting.

I have loved all my published books, whether anybody else did or not. This book seems to be taking center stage in my heart. I lay awake at night wondering what will happen next. It has been an awesome ride. This will be the longest manuscript of all my books yet.

The release of “A Love Never Lost” is scheduled for mid September, or no later than late September. It is so exciting to see your baby start to try to take small steps. Well that is where it is at.

Hope everyone has a great Thursday!