Magical Nights

I discovered that a flash while it is snowing leads to magical pictures.

Winter in Wyoming

It snowed a couple of days ago, giving the world around here a clean stark look.  I thought I'd share some of my pictures.

Christmas is for Bad Girls

Given that I am actually trying to produce things these days, time to restart my blog. 

First, an invitation to everyone to submit a story to my edited collection, "Christmas is for Bad Girls," that I will be doing for the innovative new press, Elm Books (http://www.elm-books.com).  This will be their first romance publication.  Because time is short to get things out by Christmas, stories are due 11/4/2012.

The blurb:

So many romance stories focus on Bad Boys.  This is a call for steamy Christmas stories about Bad Girls--wanton women, bad babes, actresses, seductresses, and runners with wolves--and the sexy men that love them.  Stories can be historical, contemporary, fantastic or futuristic, 5000-15000 words with a seasonal Christmas or other solstice holiday theme.  From the darkness of winter should come light, hope and love.  Lots of action and adventure a plus.  Heat level should be 2.5 to 4 on a scale of 5.

Drop a note to LilyCallahan75 *at* gmail *dot* com.  Free PDF sample of historical short story for those that think they might be interested in participating.

So why do Bad Girls and Christmas make an exciting theme for a romance collection?  First, Bad Girls.  For me Bad Girls is a short hand for any of us who have broken society's traditional rules.  We work before and during marriage, want to have control over our finances, enjoy sex, and don't tolerate bone-headed statements about what women are supposed to be like or who we are supposed to love.  This makes almost all of us Bad Girls in the eyes of someone.  This is the collection for us.  I also welcome diversity in your stories.  Romances can be as segregated as church pews on a Sunday but there is no reason why this has to be.

Christmas stories are also a great setting to show off the strength and desires of Bad Girls.  Emotions always seem to me to be particularly sharp around the holidays.  The longing for love, depression at being alone, feeling the loss of family or security are balanced by the desire for happiness and belonging that a good celebration of Christmas, Chanaukah or any other winter solstice holiday can bring.  I think Christmas metaphors are also powerful tools for a writer--think about light and dark, evergreens in the middle of winter, birth balanced by death.

Would love to see your ideas on this!  Drop me a line: LilyCallahan75 *at* gmail *dot* com.