For an admitted loner, I’ve met some great people over the past couple years.

Today, author Sharon Hamilton drove to meet me for lunch – she persisted in finding me despite getting extremely lost.  It was kind of funny because we both approached the same woman sitting at a counter at the coffee bar, separately, to ask if she was ‘we’.  Like, I went up to this woman to ask if she was Sharon and Sharon went up to her to ask if she was Julia, because she looked like a writer.  Seriously.  Anyway, Sharon is a wonderful woman and she’s encouraging me to actually meet other writers, participate in groups (oh lord!) and communicate with people.  Sharon possesses two attributes that turn me green with envy – in a non-malicious way.  A.  Her fingernails are gorgeous, totally perfect, as opposed to my own, which are chewed-to-the-quick, and B.  She has a literary agent.  Sigh-o-licious.

You have to realize if left to my own devices, I’ll talk to my dog and my cats and maybe the birds…sometimes the hubster.  If my horse was still alive, I’d be with her almost all the time.

In summary, over the past two years I’ve been fortunate enough to meet Anny Cook in all her glorious, outspoken, wise woman, person-hood.

Donna George Storey, an incredibly unique, elegant, and fearless/unapologetic writer of erotica.

Mia Watts: if there’s one word to describe her, it’s hilarious – but she’s also compassionate, empathetic, brilliant and filled with sex-a-palooza-ness!

Sharon Lathan, as sweet and humble a woman as I’ve ever met, accompanied by a great husband.  The pride he feels for her shines from his eyes like a beacon.  Sharon is the consummate professional.  I am soooo not!

I swear I’d like to have a slumber party and invite all my author friends – those I’ve met IRL and those I’ve met online -for pizza and beer, and sex talk.

Jake update:  He was freaked out about hiking today – hid in my bedroom when I got the leash.  We went to a different wilderness park and he relaxed, but we did have to hike along a cliff edge where there are three downed trees.  One, the big one, I climb over, two I duck under on my hands and knees.  Jake was unwilling to let me help him over the big tree.  I had to pull myself up a nearly vertical slope along the fallen tree trunk and convince him to follow me; then jump over the tree where the diameter of the trunk is smaller and then slide down the slope.  Took a lot of convincing, but he seemed to regain his confidence after he succeeded.  German shepherds…such babies.

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“In turns funny, insightful, and always erotic, this novel follows the sexual adventures of beautiful blonde Lydia through a modern Japanese male landscape. Donna Storey’s eye and nose for the redolent detail is a treat for all the senses as she spins her tale into a savory concoction not unlike the “cooked-to-your-liking” pancake of cabbage, egg, and smoky fish sauce called okonomiyaki that serves as the heroine’s comfort food. An Amorous Woman is literary erotica at its best. — Liza Dalby Author of Geisha and The Tale of Murasaki

“AMOROUS WOMAN is definitely arousing but it is much more than a light-hearted bedroom romp through Japan. It is a believable and moving tale of one woman’s journey of sexual self-discovery. I enjoyed Amorous Woman more than any erotic novel I’ve read in a long while. — Lisabet Sarai The Erotica Readers and Writers Association

“Focusing on sex in Japan is a great departure from the more usual erotic scenes and I certainly enjoyed getting a peek into such a different culture. Storey clearly has a love for and an interest in this land, and that comes through with her writing. A piece of erotica that works equally well story-wise and for an insight into a whole other life makes this a great addition to your erotic bookshelf. I have no doubt I’ll be rereading this in the future. — Field Marshall MacBirdie LoveHoney

“Like her heroine, Donna George Storey has lived and worked in Japan andtheres a freshness to the descriptions and a coming to terms with her needs and desires which lifts her beyond the two-dimensional. A highly enjoyable read. — Elizabeth Coldwell UK Forum

“Amorous Woman by Donna George Storey is a work of elegant eroticism with a very special perspective on elements of Japanese culture that is related with a blend of humor, social critique, and literary skill that is impressive from beginning to end. — Margaret Lane MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

“Written with sparse but passionate prose, Amorous Woman is the kind of book that demands you slow down and savor exactly how good erotica should be written.” — Gwen Masters CLEAN SHEETS.COM

I hung out with the author of the above-mentioned book yesterday.  I ordered her book today and can’t wait to read it.  Donna and I did a little tasting – picked up some French macaroons from an actual French bakery and some Japanese sweets from this totally cool Japanese import shop that I had walked by a dozen times and never noticed.  I bought a few red bean treats – I do like red bean paste.

We traded stories about travel and food and the pitfalls of writing and publishing and we discussed the difference between erotica and porn and we agree that there is a difference!

Here’s a very brief excerpt from the book:

“The day I left Japan, I stared at my reflection in the mirror in the airport ladies’ room and made the following vows: I would never tell another lie, especially to myself. I would never let desire overwhelm common sense. I would never sleep with a man who was married to someone else, mime fellatio with a complete stranger on a stage, or take money for sex again. In fact, to cover all bases, I would never have sex again with anyone, man or woman, for the rest of my life.”

http://www.amazon.com/Amorous-Woman-Donna-George-Storey/dp/1905619170/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270649743&sr=8-1

http://www.donnageorgestorey.com/

It’s always exciting to meet an author you’ve been corresponding with in person!

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I read a lot, IRL and around the blogosphere and I’ve decided my free-form blog needs a catchphrase.

You know, like, D’oh!

But since my brain is one big free-form, stream of consciousness, blurt-o-thon I don’t know what sort of catchphrase I’d assign myself.  Maybe catchphrase isn’t the right word, maybe what I need is an overall tone, you know like Karen Knows Best is snarky, Mandi at Smexy Books is open minded and sweet and seeks the positive, Katiebabs is sensitive, emotional and wears her heart on her sleeve, Dirty Sexy Books presents a logical progression of ideas, Stumbling Over Chaos is…well, stumbling over chaos.  Some of my author friends write the sexiest stuff on their blogs – I wish I was more like them – I’m so envious of their way with words – in a good, non-hating and rather loving and supportive kind of way.

What to do?  I’m a fly by the seat of my pants kind of woman, an anarchist, don’t do well with rules and regulations and if someone tells me I can’t do something, well then, I must do it.  You know, like sticking my tongue on a lamp post in sub-zero weather and running with sharp sticks.

Here’s what I know – Katiebabs recently wrote a sad, significant and thoughtful post on bullying – very topical.  Check it out.  http://kbgbabbles.blogspot.com/2010/04/when-bullying-kills.html

Rebecca at Dirty Sexy Books is really, really smart and savvy – and insightful and I totally envy her sense of organization.  http://www.dirtysexybooks.com/Dirty_Sexy_Books/Home/Home.html

Chris, at Stumbling Over Chaos is supportive as hell, generous with her time and her site, and she loves animals.  http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/

From what I’ve observed, Mandi, at Smexy Books, pays attention and has a kind heart.  http://www.smexybooks.com/

Karen, at Karen Knows Best, scares the shit out of me and I’d love to interview her.  http://karenknowsbest.com/

Here’s what’s new – I’m meeting with fellow author Donna George Storey, who by the way also writes a killer blog (see below), to go on a foodie tour of the San Francisco Ferry Building Farmer’s Market!  Yay!  Yummo!  We’re also gonna go to this cool bakery to buy French macaroons – we share a passionate love of French macaroons, among other things.  It is so amazing to meet with an author face to face after you’ve spoken with her on line.  I was lucky enough to meet Anny Cook on a trip to the East Coast last October and we had a great time together.

http://www.donnageorgestorey.com/

Book World:  I will finish up my first menage/multiple this week – draft one, at least.  The challenge has been…challenging, but I think the story is good and the sex scenes are well-choreographed.  I won’t tell you the title because you’ll laugh out loud.

Reading:  Willie Mays * The Life, The Legend, by James S. Hirsch.

***A must read blog – I found it thanks to Donna George Storey.  http://nakedi.wordpress.com/2010/04/03/when-i-was-twenty-five-it-was-a-very-bad-year/

Tomorrow – either my foodie tour and Donna or my E kit in case of a natural and/or man-made disaster!  Oh yeah, taking Rebecca’s advice and as soon as I get this first draft done, I’m posting reviews on my freshly added review page!

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Yeah, some days it’s like that!

Rebecca at Dirty Sexy Books wrote a genius piece back on February 23 entitled -

The Ten Biggest Mistakes Authors Make On Their Websites.

You can check it out here:  (and I asked her permission to quote her, thanks Rebecca!)

http://www.dirtysexybooks.com/Dirty_Sexy_Books/Home/Entries/2010/2/23_The_Ten_Biggest_Mistakes_Authors_Make_on_Their_Websites.html

The first mistake she mentions is the lack of a website.  I have to agree.  In this internet age I’m shocked when I try to find information about an author and her books and google turns up bupkiss!

The second mistake?  No blog.  She’s right – every single day isn’t necessary but a once a week would be nice.  I do get frustrated when I hope to hear what other authors are up to and they have a site, but the last post was a year ago.  Where are you, my friend?

Uh-oh, the third mistake is to bury our stuff under a nest of links.  Guilty as charged?  I try to keep my links to the side but sometimes I wonder if I have too many – but I love those links!  Each one means something to me.  I’ll try to keep in mind, simplify and minimize!

Fourth – link bait for bloggers – Ladies, we need a hook so bloggers find us interesting, you know, like a freebie, a short story that ties into our upcoming release, a freebie for readers and fans.  Okay – workin’ on it!

Five – ignoring your website – that kind of ties in with Mistake Number Two.

Six?  A picture of myself?  Are you effin’ crazy?  I have deep and abiding personal reasons for NOT having a photo.  I do have an icon.  I know it’s not exactly me, but my icon is a smiling redhead, like me!  If you read Captured, you know what I look like and you know what kind of potty mouth I have.

Seven is very important, IMO.  Mistake Seven – They don’t promote anyone but themselves.    This one is of such significance that I think I’ll quote it in its entirety:

Your website is one of your best marketing tools, and so this statement might seem counterproductive, but don’t always talk about yourself.  That’s right, talk about other books, places, and people too.  It’s uncomfortable to visit a site that sells itself too hard, so to avoid that trap, spend some time promoting your favorite authors.  I love to visit Charlaine Harris’s website because she blogs about what she’s reading every few weeks.  Maybe you’re wondering, what if I read something that stinks like a road-kill skunk?  Then preserve your reputation and don’t mention it (let an asshole like me stomp on it), but be sure to give props to the books that you DO like.

Mistake number Eight – We forget to mention and/or link to the reviewers who review our books.  Rebecca suggests a separate review page that contains links to all our book reviews.  Again – workin’ on it!

Number Nine – Author’s don’t interact with their fans.  Well, I do and most authors I know do.  My fans are precious to me.  If they take the time to comment or email me, I will reply.  I’ve been on the non-receiving end.  I’ve written to authors to tell them how much I enjoyed their books and I never hear, so…their books come to mean less to me.  On the other hand, when an author responds, his/her books come to mean a great deal more.

Last but not least – Number Ten – We don’t offer a high-resolution image of the cover.  Sorry, my website won’t always support a high res cover image and I suck at sizing.  Some authors are really savvy.  They know exactly how to fix these things and they are on my most admired list.

I am terrible when it comes to taking advice – stubborn, headstrong, impulsive, but Rebecca has made some excellent points.  I’m trying to learn how to learn when it comes to this blogging stuff.  Thanks!

In other news – Beauty and the Feast - waiting for your recipes and go visit with the delightfully irreverent Chris and her kitties at Stumbling Over Chaos to see how to win a copy.  http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/

Brynn Paulin is hosting me over at Wednesday Wonder Writers:  http://brynnpaulin.blogspot.com/

Stop by!

Author Donna George Storey has a great little novella in The Cougar Book – Comfort Food.  I have a copy of the book to give away, signed by me cuz I have a story in there too – great minds think alike!  Speaking of websites, here’s hers -

http://www.donnageorgestorey.com/

Okay, done for the day!  Julia

P.S.  Just finished:  Game Change.  Just started:  The Lady in the Tower.

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