~ The Kissy Bits ~ - Romance Writing Without Cooties

When are they coming back?

2007-02-01T12:34:00.000+11:00

The Kissy Bits will return to their monthly schedule after Chinese New year.
Turns out making kion dancing costumes is a job and a half!
on the plus side, we'll have a YouTube video for our efforts. Yay!

in preparation for the April show (or maybe May), send me your favourite book video/book audio promo links.
I'll also have the yearly show schedule up soon so you can send me thoughts, ideas and anything else to do with upcoming shows. Stay tuned!

The Kissy Bits #17 - Where We Return

2006-12-11T09:58:00.000+11:00

Yay, the Kissy Bits are back!
What's been going on? A lot of excuses, obviously.
Also, a brief look at things to come.
It was a looong excuse. ^_-

Listen to the show

The Kissy Bits will resume in December

2006-11-28T12:31:00.000+11:00

Yes! After all these empty promises, I've finally managed to carve some time out for recording.

Expect some major revisions to the show's format. Same content, only shinier!

Thanks for everybody who's emailed me or left comments about the show and what you would like to see. I've definitely found a number of great topic ideas here.
So make sure your feeds are ready for next week, when the Kissy Bits continue.

Where are the Kissy Bits?

2006-10-02T15:35:00.000+10:00

Sorry everybody.
I know you probably all think I've given up on the podcasting world, but fear not!
I'm trying hard to get everything set up and recording again.
After losing all my recordings from the conference, it took me longer than I liked to regroup. But I'm still here!
Despite broken hand, broken iPod and general brokeness, I promise you, the Kissy Bits will be back.

in the meantime, why don't you tell me what you'd like to see in upcoming shows?

Conference Kissy Bits

2006-08-17T10:35:00.000+10:00

The conference Kissy Bits recordings went a bit differently than expected. The conference shows will be posted up daily starting from next Monday.

Right now, it's crunch time to make up for lost writing time, organise kung fu-related and other such issues, and catch up on sleep, housework and cooking.
Oh, and a cat in dire need of attention.

New proper episode coming the week after. Stay tuned. I hope you're allw riting well.

The Kissy Bits #16 - The heroine

2006-07-29T06:28:00.000+10:00

Show Sixteen – the heroic heroine

Finally!

Why have I been holding out on the heroine? Cause heroines are that much harder.

“Just shut up and give me more page time with wonder boy here!”

When you ask people to describe their heroines, they’ll often give you a physical rundown.

The ingredients that separate a true heroine from just a mediocre one are based on what's inside of her.

First, a romantic heroine must CONNECT.

Second, a romantic heroine must have STRENGTH.

Third, a romantic heroine must DESERVE YOUR HERO.

A heroine embodies all our hopes and dreams of a perfect love.

Heroine archetypes:

The BOSS.
The SEDUCTRESS.
The SPUNKY KID.
The FREE SPIRIT.
The WAIF.
The LIBRARIAN.
The CRUSADER.
The NURTURER.

Think of your favourite heroines of all times.

The next few episodes are going to be a lot different to what we’ve had so far. It’s conference season for romance writers everywhere, and as I’ve said, I’ll be heading to the Romance Writers of Australia conference at the Gold Coast.

If you’ve got anything you want to know about the conference, about the writing journey, about romance in writing, you know how to reach me!

If you’ll be on the gold coast for the conference, drop me a line and we can get together for a chat. I promise I’ll be nice to you.

Show link:
Heroine Archetypes

Listen to the show

The Kissy Bits monthly

2006-07-21T09:37:00.000+10:00

Hey Kissy people.
The Kissy Bits will be moving to a monthly schedule until September, due to deadlines (yay, deadlines!).
I haven't forgotten about you all, and the new show is coming on the weekend. No, really! Stop laughing!

Also, I am going to try and corner authors (both published and unpublished) during the RWA conference next month, so if you've got any questions you'd like me to ask, or a specific Aussie author you'd like me to approach, drop me a line, either as a comment, or via email!

Now, to torture my heroine with an egg beater...

The Kissy Bits #15 - Naming Your baby

2006-06-26T11:22:00.000+10:00

The Kissy Bits Show 15 – Naming Your Baby

- with real-life examples from yours truly! -

1. Keep it short.

2. Avoid fancy words.

3. Make sure your title reflects your story.

4. Make your title original.

5. Brainstorm.

6. Alliteration always attracts.

7. Tried and true with a twist.

8. Use words that contradict and/or conflict with each other.

9. You can't copyright your title.

10. Have a backup.

Next Show: All About Your Heroine

Listen to the show

Show 15 comes next week - promise!

2006-06-13T08:21:00.000+10:00

Due to a rather imortant deadline this week, I didn't have time for a new show yet, but there will be one next week (and there are no real deadlines in sight that cause me to drop everything, so yay!)

Don't forget to email or post a description (see last show), too!

Keep writing.

Switchpod problems - yet again.

2006-05-26T14:59:00.000+10:00

Switchpod deleted all my files when they moved servers (or wahtever it is they did, I forget).
I'm currently uploading all the old episodes again, going backwards, so please be patient. They should become available again soon-ish.

The Kissy Bits #14 - Bedroom Edition

2006-05-26T14:45:00.000+10:00

The Kissy Bits Show 14 – Closing the bedroom door almost all the way

Why has the show been so late?
I lost my microphone.

Anybody who is going to attend the Romance Writers of Australia conference in August, drop me a line!

Warning: This episode contains words some people might find offensive, and descriptions of scenes not suitable to minors. If you or anyone within earshot might get offended, turn around now.

Talking about sex is one thing, but writing about it is, in some ways, even worse.
- "what if Mom reads it?" syndrome.

- Why romance writing is better than writing murder mysteries.

- How do you get over the embarrassment?

- celebrating sex for all the beauty it symbolises

- difference between having sex and making love

– tension

- Be brave with it!

Promo: Confessions of a Struggling Writer

- Push your comfort level, but don't write to someone else's standards

- Remember you are not writing about yourself

- Sexual tension is more important than sex itselfprolonged the wait, the sweeter the reward.

- Don't follow a formula

- Sexual experiences is part of the plot

- Use all the senses

- Voice

- What do we call "IT"?

Got any questions? Comments? Feedback? Drop me a line on the show’s blog at kissybits.blogspot.com.

For an upcoming show, I’ve got a challenge for you. I won’t do the show until I get enough replies, so you’ll *have* to do it if you want to find out why.

I want you to dscribe someone’s face. And I want you to make it romantic. It can be first or third person, as detailed as you like or as general as you wish to make it, but I want you to convey a sense of attraction in your description. After all, that’s what we’r talking about.

In the next show, we’ll talk all about your WIP and you. Naming your baby and letting go.

Until next time, stay in the mood.

Listen to the show

Mr Flu, meet Mrs House Renovations. Charmed.

2006-05-22T08:39:00.000+10:00

Sorry everybody!
I know I said I'd be more on the ball with the next show, and wouldn't you know it, the day after I uploaded the last show, Mr. Flu came to visit. And boy, did he make himself at home.

But my voice is back, and as soon as our landlord is finished with his random "improvements", I'll record a new show for you guys.

Hope you've all been doing well with your writing!

The Kissy Bits #13 - First Kiss

2006-04-27T10:41:00.000+10:00

The Kissy Bits #13 - First Kiss

We're back after a long hiatus!
Lots of writing has been done in the meantime. My chicklit novel is getting ready for podiobook goodness, yay!
Also, your host has taken another step towards 30, shhhhh.

The Kiss: expression of unique emotion between unique people.
Don't make it anybody's kiss.
Kiss as plot device
Is your kiss only making the right noises?

PROMO: Morevi

Beware of purple prose.
High tension or low tension, where should your kiss be?

Challenge: Write that perfect kiss.

Next show: The Kissy Bits #14 - Opening the Bedroom Door, or: Is it all about the smut?

Show Links:
The Site of Podiobooks: Podiobooks.com
Morevi the Podiobook

Listen to the show

New show coming tomorrow!

2006-04-26T15:11:00.000+10:00

I would have had the show up today, but due to technical difficulties (read: need to reinstall Audacity), it'll have to be tomorrow. but it's all recorded and everything, so whee!

Last delay, I promise!

some delay with the next show

2006-04-07T13:47:00.000+10:00

Sorry verybody, but until I get the admin side of my life sorted out, I hardly have the emotional energy to write, let alone podcast.
I'll try and get show #13 up as soon as possible, but I can't guarantee when that'll be.

And I wouldn't want to let you down on your first kiss... ^_-

The Kissy Bits #12 - Emotional Honesty

2006-03-24T10:10:00.000+11:00

The Kissy Bits #12 - Emotional Honesty

New intro!

Since a lot of people have been asking me when I’ll put the Kissy in the Bits, I’ve decided to dedicate the next few shows to the craft of romance in writing.

Is romance really just about making the right noises?
Let’s talk a bit about getting emotional.

Learn about the Stanislavski method of acting

Deep POV gets you there.

Employ all the senses, go into the deepest details. And once you’re there, dig deeper. And once you’ve added as much depth to a scene as you can? Go deeper!

Your love scenes are not interchangeable. They happen in that order for a reason.

Don’t pull your emotional punches. Dig deep. Strike gold. Make emotions matter in your fiction.

Show Links:
Patricia Kay's Writing The Love Scene
Gary Chapman's The Five Love Languages

Listen to the show

The Kissy Bits #11 - From the Mail Bag

2006-03-16T14:45:00.000+11:00

The Kissy Bits #11 - From the Mail Bag
just having a look at some feedback.
Also, the first time recording with a new microphone. What do you reckon?

Listen to the show

The Kissy Bits #10 - Second Try

2006-03-08T12:22:00.000+11:00

The Kissy Bits #10 - Writing About Real People

For those of you that couldn't get the show to download last time, here is a fresh new file, all tasty and ready to go. If there are still problems with this one or older files, please let me know, and I'll bang my head against the wall some more.

Listen to the show

Files are up again - finally!

2006-03-07T14:11:00.000+11:00

I finally managed to get both show #10 up and running and the two older shows that spontaneously decided to stop working.
Phew.
If you are still having problems with any of the episodes, please let me know.

I'll upload show #11 (and #12...) soon.

Switchpod problems - again!

2006-02-27T16:55:00.000+11:00

Switchpod is having problems with its file archive again, it seems. You can't access most of the podcasts at the moment. I hope they're going to fix it soon. Grrrr.
Sorry everybody! There *should* be fixed files for everything up to show #10 now, but for some bizarre reason beyond me, it doesn't weant to work. Patience...

The Kissy Bits #10 - Writing About Real People

2006-02-17T13:05:00.000+11:00

The Kissy Bits #10 - Writing About Real People

Legal issues in writing
How to keep it real: Do your research.
What about your friends and family?
How to deal with helpful story offers

What do you want to hear about on the Kissy Bits? Let me know!

Listen to the show

The Kissy Bits Valentine's Special!

2006-02-14T10:03:00.000+11:00

The Kissy Bits Valentine's Special. Let's talk about emotional honesty here. And a confession: I don't like v-day. Even as a romance writer, I can see why it's a bad day. Can you?
Let's talk about the Big Gestures and how you can make them more meaningful. These tips are for real life AND writing. How neat is that?

Show Links:
Valentine's e-cards
Anti-Valentine's e-cards

Next show: Writing About Friends or "I'm not like that!"

Listen to the show

The Kissy Bits #9 - Subletting The Brain

2006-02-10T11:30:00.000+11:00

Subletting The Brain

Muses
The canonical nine muses
Muse Obedience School
Muse as a measure of story idea
Exercise: write down 20 reasons why a woman walks out on her first date.

Promo: I Should Be Writing

The inner editor
Editors are good for you
Finding a compromise
Working together with your inner people

Taking responsibility for your own writing

Listen to the show

The Kissy Bits #8 - The Chick Lit Show

2006-02-03T17:15:00.000+11:00

What is chick lit?
Chick lit sub-genres
Chick lit vs romance
Chick lit vs literary chicks
Chick lit people
An actual example by yours truly
First person
Exercise: Narrow your point of view; write a chick lit

Show links:
Chick Lit Writers of the World
Chick Lit Books(with a great list of sub-genres!)

Listen to the show

Gung hay fat choi

2006-01-29T11:47:00.000+11:00

Show #8 will be delayed until mid-next week due to a very hectic schedule over Chinese new year. Hope everybody's safe and happy!

And make sure you keep writing. ^_-

The Kissy Bits #7 - Writing Discipline and Writing Commitment

2006-01-20T10:01:00.000+11:00

Writing Discipline

- Just 100 words a day will get you there?
- Most writers hate writing but love having written.
- Work out your writing muscles each and every day.
- Why can't we do it?
- What works for you?
- My to-do list

Writing Commitment

- Don't quit your day job? What day job?
- You only get out what you put in
- How much does writing figure in your life?
- How many novels do you want to write?
- Writing time + editing time = finished MS
- are you an XYZ with a writing hobby or a writer with a second job?

Next week: The Chick Lit show!

Listen to the show

The Kissy Bits #6 - Contests

2006-01-11T09:14:00.000+11:00

Some layout changes: PayPal donation button and Frappr map button are now at the top of the page.
Help out The Kissy Bits by visiting the blog and clicking on the Google ads at no cost to you.

We're on Podcast Alley, so vote for your favourite romance podcast out there (is there another one?)

Today's show: Contests, the good, the bad and the ugly.

- My contest history
- Is it about winning?
- Some choice morsels of contest feedback
- Which contest is right for you?
- When should you enter contests?
- Money versus gain
- If you are not a competitive person, what then?
- How contests can make your writing worse

Show links:
Contest divas
RWAus
RWAm

Show 07 – 20 January 2006 – Writing Discipline/Commitment

Listen to the show

File Problems - Resolved?

2006-01-08T19:19:00.000+11:00

Sorry about files not being available this past week. i had some technical problems on teh Switchpod side of things.
I've changed all the file names and uploaded everything again, so things *should* be working.

Thanks for everybody who dropped me a line about this, and hopefully things work out now. if not, comment on this entry, and I'll see what I can do from here to fix it. Except glare at switchpod and iTunes menacingly, of course.

Edit: Seems like FeedBurner has a problem changing over files on existing posts. Working on that.

Edit 2: FeedBurner doesn't like my file. Not sure what the solution for that is. i republished the post, and it still shows up with the wrong file link in FeedbBurner, but the correct one on the blog. Odd.

Edit 3: Everything should be working fine. I tested the download in iTunes and it worked. If you still have problems, please let me know.

The Kissy Bits #5 - Dealing With Feedback

2006-01-07T19:07:00.000+11:00

Hi. My name is Kiki. I write romance.
How do you deal with that ubiquitous question, "What do you do?"

There's some feedback on past shows.

A typical exchange of polite pleasantries:

“What do you do?”
“I’m a writer.”
“So what do you write?”
“Novels.”
“So have you written anything I know?” or “Oh, like JK Rowling?” or “What’s your book about?” or “Have you written one yet?”
“I write romance.” Or even, as I used to say, “I write chick lit”
Silence.

Be proud to be a writer.

The Top Ten Replies to People who Criticize Romance Novels:
1. Bite Me.
2. Come closer and say that.
3. What bothers you more: the sex or the romance?
4. No, I'm not laughing with you. I'm laughing at you.
5. You! Off my planet.
6. I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter.
7. When I want your opinion, I'll give it to you.
8. That explains a lot.
9. Kiss my crayon-colored ass.
10. Three words: 51 million readers.

Got any more? Post them!

How to deal with the friendly, the overzealous, the mocking and the hostile.

If you’ve got a story to share about how people react to your writing confession, or if you’ve got anything else to say, leave a comment for this show on the blog at kissybits.blogspot.com.

Next week’s show will be all about contests. Contest season is coming up, so I’ll tell you about my experiences with contests in ’05, the good, the bad and the very, very ugly. I’ll also plug some contests that I think are of interest. If you know good romance-focused writing contests, let me know!

Show link:
be the story

Listen to the show

File problem

2006-01-04T08:33:00.000+11:00

A few people have pointed out to me that the files for the past shows have become unavailable. The problem seems to be the host, switchpod, which seems to have disappeared off the face of the internet. I'll give it until the next show to see if they recover. Otherwise, I'll have to find a new hosting solution.
If anyone knows one, do let me know!

The Kissy Bits #4 - Writing Resolutions

2005-12-30T22:40:00.000+11:00

Sorry this show is up late, I didn’t get round to recording the show on Wednesday, which is my usual recording day, since I had a lot on this week with my parents and what have you. Blame the holiday season. I know I am.
Also, listen out for my cat on this show, as well as some lovely traffic roar.

On today's show: Writing Resolutions

- Good versus bad resolutions

- Sticking to resolutions
--- Choose Carefully
--- Make a Plan
--- Monitor and Reward Progress

Promo: I Should Be Writing

- Resolutions for the prolific writer

- Resolutions for the time-pressed writer

Next show: Dealing with feedback, “What do you do?”

Link:Book In A Week

Listen to the show

The Kissy Bits #3 - Romancing The Category

2005-12-23T07:44:00.000+11:00

The show about romance subgenres and romance in other genres.

- Most romance novels should contain two basic elements to be considered "romantic"

- When is a story with love a love story?

- Single title vs category

- Harlequin Mills&Boon lines
-- Harlequin NEXT
-- Harlequin Everlasting
-- Blaze
-- Harlequin Intrigue
-- Historical Romances
-- Harlequin Presents
-- Harlequin Romance
-- Superromance
-- Medical Romance
-- Modern Xtra-Sensual
-- Silhouette Bombshell
-- Silhouette Desire
-- Silhouette Intimate Moments
-- Steeple Hill Love Inspired

- Sub-genres
-- Historical Romance
-- Regency Romance
-- Contemporary Romance
-- Futuristic Romance
-- Time-travel romance
-- Fantasy Romance
-- Paranormal Romance
-- Romantic Suspense
-- Romantica
-- Erotica
-- Inspirational

- Is genre-crossing possible? What makes a good cross-over romance?

- Why are some genres more easily blended in than others?

- Romance elements in other genres

- You can often tell male/female writers even under pseudonyms

Show 04 – 30 December 2005 - Writing Resolutions

Listen to the show

The Kissy Bits #2 - I Need A Hero

2005-12-14T15:43:00.000+11:00

Show Number 2, yay!

In today's show: How to create a memorable hero.

- hero as secondary protagonist
- The Eight Hero Archetypes
- first impressions
- naming
- outer view and inner view
- round versus flat characters
- bringing them to life
- appearance, speech, attitude, actions, thoughts
- just a starting point
- tell me what you want in future shows!

Thanks for listening.
Also, if you're a fellow podcaster and have a promo that you would like me to play on this show, let me know!

Listen to the show

The Kissy Bits #1 - Why Romance?

2005-12-09T11:57:00.000+11:00

Wheee! It's our first show!
In this show, I talk about what romance is, and why so many people seem intent on badmouthing the genre.
It's a very short show, and the recording quality isn't great, but I hope you enjoy it anyways.

Let me know what you think!

The Kissy Bits #1
(You can also click on the title. Or subscribe through the links on the right)

We're ready to go!

2005-12-07T12:48:00.000+11:00

The site is up and running with our own logo, name and personalised link list.
What do you reckon?

I hope to have the first show up by the end of the week, once I figure out what the best way to host them would be, so stay tuned, you'll get to hear something soon!

If you've got any comments about the layout, design or anything else, drop me a line. Also if you've got a link that I should add to the sidebar.

Cheers!

Name that Podcast

2005-12-05T09:16:00.000+11:00

The podcast is almost ready to go, butI'm not going anywhere without a name!
I'm horrible at making up titles (as those who've had the doubtful fortune of reading things of mine can attest to), so that's where you guys come in.
Name my podcast. it will be a podcast mainly on writing, maybe about readig as well. It's all about romance (and chick lit), and I want it to have a more global feel to it (which means no US-specific anythings, thanks).

Some suggestions so far (not all of them mine, phew):

- RosePod
- Cootie Cast
- Romancing the Pod
- The Romance Writer Show
- For The Love Of Words
- Pink Ink
- She's Got To Have Spunk (I'm aware of the implications of thins one...)
- Out of the Emotional Depth
- The Kissy Bits
- Chocolate for Writers
- Romantically Speaking
- Hot Fudge
- Sense and Sensuality
- The Sensitive Side of Writing
- More Than Kisses
- The Sweetest Thing
- Take Off Your Shirt
- The Right/Wright to Romance
- Ladies' Laughter
- All Fired Up
- Lovelorn
- Romance Academy
- Just Say It

I'll add to it as they come in (post here or email me).
Also, what sorts of things would you like to see convered in shows? What have you already heard waaaaay too much of? Talk to me. ^_^