« Like Fingernails on a ChalkboardDriving While Braindead »

How Do I Count The Ways… I love this romance blogsite?

Mar 15th 2007Nicole Jordan
Nicole JordanGoddess Readers Speak Out

count.jpgOkay, so maybe I’ll admit to having a teeny inferiority complex. When we first started The Goddess Blogs, it took me all of three seconds to figure out that my fellow Goddess authors are all delightfully funny. I’m in awe of their talent and pea-green with envy that humor comes so naturally to them!

      

picgrin.jpgIt’s tough enough being witty and entertaining and interesting and fun. But funny? Trust me, it’s like pulling your own wisdom teeth out with a humongous pair of pliers if humor isn’t your forte. Which is why I get butterflies in my stomach every time I contemplate writing my next blog.

   

So why am I here? Why do I wrack my brains to be worthy of participating? What am I getting out of this? The answer is simple. I’m here because I need it. I benefit from a romance blog like this in countless ways.

Sure, we authors want to showcase our books and hopefully drum up interest and a reader following. After all, selling books is what keeps us employed and able to pursue our passion. But there are lots of other benefits, too. You may know by now that I adore lists and can’t function without them, so let me count the benefits in a list:

1) Laughs. Both the bloggers and commentors have given me so many lol moments.

2) Commiseration. I get sympathy and empathy from people who understand my neuroses, who share my passions and pet peeves, who think fictional characters are actually real, who would defend their precious books with their dying breath… We romance readers are a breed unto ourselves.

3) Entertainment. Whether the posts are funny, sad, intriguing, whatever, they take me on a great ride.

4) Knowledge. I learn interesting stuff I never knew and have to think about things I’ve never considered before.

5) Creativity. I get to express my feelings and have a creative outlet for rants and raves.grin.jpg

6) Escape. Visiting here is a great way to procrastinate from work. Alternatively, it provides a nice brain break when I’ve been hard at work.

7) Anti-depressant. Reading the blogs and comments cheers me up when I’m down and always, always brightens my day.

   

All those are great reasons to participate in The Goddess Blogs . But the foremost reason I’m here – and the reason I’ll keep coming back – is the

8 ) Camaraderie. A shared sense of belonging.

I’m not alone when I have this site to turn to. I’m part of a larger community. I can stay connected to the world. And the best thing about participating? I make lifelong friends.

I was heartbroken when my fave romance board folded several years ago. I still enjoy visiting other boards and blogs, but none have been quite so satisfying or fulfilling to me as The Romance Journal. The people I met there gave me such pleasure and joy. Which is why I’m so very glad to have The Goddess Blogs now. It’s a true pleasure getting to know my fellow writer and reader Goddesses. Without you, my teeny inferiority complex would mushroom into some hulking anti-Muse perched on my shoulder, hooting derisively and calling me unflattering names every time I tried to be funny.

greekgoddess.jpgBut I wonder if everyone else who visits and participates has the same expectations of our site as I do? We just celebrated our one month anniversary yesterday, so this seems like a great time to ask some questions about expectations, since a blog site is only as good as its participants. The thing is, we can make The Goddess Blogs what we want it to be.

   

So what do you want The Goddess Blogs to be? Why do you visit romance boards and blogs? What do you get out of it? What would keep you coming back here day after day? What would make you follow every discussion and post your own comments? In short, what would brighten your day?

(And I’ll try not to feel too inferior if you come back with some funny as well as serious answers.) :-)

44 Comments »

44 Responses to “How Do I Count The Ways… I love this romance blogsite?”

  1. EllenElyse on 15 Mar 2007 at 2:08 am #

    What are you talking about?! :) Your heroines are witty, and sarcastic, and are always making me laugh! You really should have NO inferiority complex.

    Unfortunately, I can’t really answer your question just yet about the site. I haven’t visited many romance boards… except one quite a while ago… I don’t remember what it was called, but it had a sort of report card of romances and authors. I.e., Steaminess: Mild - Smokin Hot! :) … Plot: something I don’t remember… each listed the type of romance, i.e., historical, etc… and they seemed to be rated by a group of maybe ten experienced “critics”. It was really helpful to me, because quite frankly I only go for the steamiest of steamies. :) That’s how I found your books! :)

    And on a side note… I just read your previous blogs…

    Regarding list making, and I too am a chronic list maker. I swear, I would walk out the door shoeless if not for my lists! :)

    And regarding snide remarks by people that aren’t into romances… I am a proud romance reader. I find absolutely nothing wrong with expressing ones’ sexuality. I really feel sorry for those people. I can’t imagine being so uptight. Life must really be rough for them.

    Much love all you beautiful Goddesses! :)

  2. ashefrog on 15 Mar 2007 at 7:28 am #

    For me the joy of hanging out with some of my fav authors is such a treat. I belong to three blogs I visit regularly: The Goddess Blogs, SquawkRadio and Running with Quills and recently added RomanceNovel.TV.

    I have to admit that the camaraderie is a big draw. I love sharing romance novels with friends and such. But I admit I am a romance snob. These blogs introduce me to authors I may not have otherwise given a chance.

    As far as expectations, I think you are all doing a great job. I love the surprise of visiting the site each day and discovering what the topic of the day is. I love links to your website (though I admit you are already in my favorites/bookmarks). I love the little tidbits about your writing rituals, habits and struggles. I like the insight given about your characters outside of the book.

    I also love the down to earth feel of the banter amongst the commentors. You truly make me feel like a participant. The site is fun, witty and contagious.

  3. Carly Phillips on 15 Mar 2007 at 7:31 am #

    To hang with my fellow writers, to laugh, to commiserate … to procrastinate, LOL.
    THANK YOU GODDESSES for asking me to guestblog! I feel so special.

  4. DebMarlowe on 15 Mar 2007 at 8:31 am #

    Waving madly…..Hi Nicole! I’m an old TRJ participant and I remember it fondly too. I posted as debB back then and even gushed at you once at breakfast at the Moonlight and Magnolias conference!

    I’ve enjoyed this new blog immensely! It’s so nice to have a spot where others share your obsessions! And then you begin to find out that you have lots of other things in common too, and it gets even better.

    Deb
    http://www.DebMarlowe.com

  5. gannon on 15 Mar 2007 at 9:08 am #

    Visting this blog–several times a day–never fails to put a smile on my face. It’s wonderful to share a love of romance with others who feel exactly the same way. Plus, it’s a great way for me to avoid cleaning the house and all of the other mundane chores I’d rather put off!

    All Hail the Goddesses!

  6. elsiehogarth on 15 Mar 2007 at 9:10 am #

    Happy Anniversary Goddesses! The Blog is wonderful, to me, it’s a way to get to know a bit more about an author on a personal wave. You get to know about family, pets, loves, dislikes, obsessions etc…It’s great.

  7. Nicole Jordan on 15 Mar 2007 at 9:37 am #

    EllenElyse on 15 Mar 2007
    >>>What are you talking about?! Your heroines are witty, and sarcastic, and are always making me laugh! You really should have NO inferiority complex.

    LOL, EllenE! Thank you for the pep talk, and I’m so delighted my heroines make you laugh. But it really IS like pulling teeth for me to try to be funny. Wit I can do (and I have fun with it) but there’s an art and a talent to being funny– although I’m getting more practice with these blogs and the books I’m writing now. Plus there’s a huge difference between clever humor and dumb slapstick humor. The first I love, the second is like nails on a blackboard to me. I would love to get pointers on humor from those of you who do it easily. And I want you to know I do love being here around people who make me laugh.

    Welcome to the Goddess Blogs, EllenE!

    NicoleJ

  8. Nicole Jordan on 15 Mar 2007 at 9:43 am #

    DebMarlowe on 15 Mar 2007
    >>>Waving madly…..Hi Nicole! I’m an old TRJ participant and I remember it fondly too. I posted as debB back then and even gushed at you once at breakfast at the Moonlight and Magnolias conference!

    debB!!!!! Oh my gosh, I didn’t realise you were you! I’m so GLAD to see you again. And I will always worship you for turning me on to TRJ. It really did save my sanity when I uprooted from Atlanta and moved out to Utah cause I didn’t leave all my friends behind.

    Now I feel sure we’ll have some great times at TGB.

    NicoleJ

  9. terrio on 15 Mar 2007 at 10:23 am #

    I never visited any sort of writing website, blog or bulletin board until last July. Now I couldn’t live without them. I love getting to know and talk directly to authors. I am a proud Bon Bon over on Eloisa James’ Bulletin Board and through that board have made some of the best friends a girl could have, entered a writing contest (ME!) and found out about wonderful blogs like this one. I’ve also found tons of authors I probably never would have gotten around to reading.

    I know that whenever I pop over here I will get a chuckle, a grin or just a warm feeling. You ladies are off to a wonderful start.

    PS: Ashefrog - we have to stop meeting like this….LOL! I’m starting to think I just follow you around the net.

  10. Julia London on 15 Mar 2007 at 11:02 am #

    Carly, so glad you are going to guest blog with us!

    Nicole, I love this blog, too. Its great to hang out with everyone. And it gives me yet another reason to procrastinate on writing, laundry, and going to the gym. Thank you, everyone!

  11. Kathryn Smith on 15 Mar 2007 at 11:25 am #

    Nicole! Why would you ever think you can’t be funny? I think you’re fab. I miss TRJ too. That was one of the first boards I made it onto way back before I was published. The friendships I made there were amazing and many endure to this day. The support I felt when I was trying to sell that first book was overwhelming and I’ll never forget it. After having a couple of negative experiences with readers sites, TRJ was what kept me sane.

    I love blogs and boards for the social aspect. My job keeps me pretty solitary, so to come online and chat with others who love books as much as I do is pretty darn cool!

    Happy monthiversary, goddesses!

  12. ashefrog on 15 Mar 2007 at 11:30 am #

    Terrio

    What can I say we both have great taste!!!!

    I love that I see familiar “faces” instead of feeling like you are always the new kid on the block.

    Besides, maybe it is me following you around. LOL

    PS Terry was my maiden name.

  13. SuzyQ on 15 Mar 2007 at 11:31 am #

    This is actually the first blog I have been participating. I found it the other day from one of your websites (thanks Julia!) and I have been having a blast ever since. I make sure I visit everyday for my daily dose of fun and laughter (not to mention procrastinating from work).

    For me it’s such fun to interact with those who share a love of romance and especially with the authors whose books I adore!

    Thank you so much for starting this! :)

  14. Suzanne Enoch on 15 Mar 2007 at 11:32 am #

    Kathryn, welcome! And everybody who comes here to chat is a goddess, so happy monthiversary to all of us!

  15. Susan K on 15 Mar 2007 at 12:27 pm #

    Sorry, I haven’t been on in a couple of days. My fiance’s mom passed away on Sunday. So Tuesday was the viewings, 2 of them & Wednesday was the funeral. I’m exhausted and trying to catch up on all my emails and the blogs.

    I’ve never been on another blog before so this is my first experience. But I love being able to speak to all of my favorite authors! It lets me get to know them as people instead of just someone who wrote a good story.

  16. Nicole Jordan on 15 Mar 2007 at 12:55 pm #

    SusanK, I’m so sorry for your loss… hugs to you.

    Kathryn! It’s great to see you here and hope you visit often. You’re one of those friends I made at TRJ, which just proves how boards and blogs can change your life.

    Welcome to all you newcomers! You’re in for a treat if this is your first experience with a blogsite.

    And for all you savvy old-timers… I’m not so much looking for praise (although that is lovely!) I’m also looking for suggestions about how we can make TGB better. What you’d like to see more of? Less of? Topic focus? Would you rather our blogs be more about romance and books? Or life in general? Or does the topic matter as long we post every day and make it interesting and fun? That sort of thing. Now’s your chance to influence our future direction for a long time to come!

    NicoleJ

  17. Laura T on 15 Mar 2007 at 1:16 pm #

    I like seeing familiar faces too. I go to a bunch of different blogs and there are so many “familiar faces” on the same forums that it’s fun to say - hey I’m so and so from the so and so site, and are you the so and so that was over on…?

    I did that last month and was so pleased that the poster was a friend I had made on another site. It is a lot of fun. There are a ton of friendships. That’s the best- and the romance novels and authors all bring us together~!

    I love the goddess blogs because more of my favorite authors are “hanging out” and openly inviting fans and readers to hang out with them. That’s the best.

    I love hearing about the new books before they hit the shelves. I love hearing about the WIPs, the new ventures, and the adventure of being a romance novelist.

    I also love the layout, the colors, and the whole Goddess theme.

  18. Karen Rose on 15 Mar 2007 at 1:33 pm #

    Susan K, I’m so sorry for your recent loss. Hugs from me, too.

    Elsie - good to see you here, girl. Just so you know, I am not being good. So there ;-) Welcome to Kathryn! And Carly, thanks for being our guest in a few weeks!

    The writer’s life can be solitary and many days I’ve found myself talking to my cat and, although a sweet kitty, she is not much of a conversationalist. It’s nice to have folks to talk to and still not have to put on any makeup, lol.

    I like being able to chat about things that are fun, especially after writing some of the darker scenes in my books. And it’s helpful to wail to someone who understands. And getting to know the readers makes it even funner. More fun. Ha - that was for you ladies for whom bad grammar is like nails on the chalk board.

    Now I must go back to wrestling with setting up Outlook and Vista on my new PC. My playtime is over until another wave of frustration builds to a needing-to-take-a-break point. See - there’s one more blog benefit!

  19. foreverdelayed on 15 Mar 2007 at 2:28 pm #

    I love this Blog site. I discovered it via the Squawk Radio. I am looking for most of the same things you listed, Nicole! I also enjoy learning about new books and authors. I like having a place to go to talk about cute men! :D

  20. Brandy on 15 Mar 2007 at 3:07 pm #

    I, too, love this blog. I love the content the way it is, the humorous and serious alltogether! Thank you for the “community” feeling you have here, and the chance to be around others who feel the same.

  21. helen on 15 Mar 2007 at 3:11 pm #

    I go to a few sites now and love being able to communicate with the authors and other romance readers I have had some wonderful recomendations for new authors that i might not have read if not for sites like this. I can always have a laugh when I visit which is at least once a day if not more.
    Congratulations Ladies
    Have Fun
    Helen

  22. DebMarlowe on 15 Mar 2007 at 3:20 pm #

    LOL, Nicole! I am happy to have had a positive effect towards your mental health. :-)

    I’m thrilled that we’ve all had a chance to find each other again in cyber space, and that so many more romance readers are online these days!

    Deb

  23. Judy F on 15 Mar 2007 at 3:46 pm #

    Susan sorry for your loss.

    I love this site, it makes me laugh a lot. Sometimes thought provocking.

    I visit to see what is going on and to give me a little pick me up.

  24. Nicole Jordan on 15 Mar 2007 at 4:35 pm #

    Kathryn Smith on 15 Mar 2007
    >>>Nicole! Why would you ever think you can’t be funny?

    You see, it’s not that I CAN’T do humor…. I just find it DARN hard. It takes me a lot of time and effort to come up with funny stuff that doesn’t sound lame or strained. Humor just doesn’t come naturally to me the way it does to some of my writer and reader friends.

    For example, I stayed up past 1 a.m. last night finishing Karen Kendall’s new single title contemporary, FIT TO BE TIED, about a woman whose life gets turned upside-down on her wedding day, so she decides she has to ask her brand new husband for a divorce. It’s not a typical romance, but it’s not chick lit either. Most of the book is about her coming to terms with love and marriage and deciding whether or not she wants to stay married to the guy she loves. They have a dog they both want custody of when they start divorce proceedings, and the scene where they try to outdo each other in an effort to win the dog’s affection had tears of laughter streaming down my face, it was so funny. Good thing my dh had already gone to bed cause he would have thought me demented.

    Throughout that book, I must have laughed out loud 4 dozen times. And the quotes at the beginning of each chapter about marriage were absolutely hilarious. It was just so true to life, KarenK’s take on love and marriage. Now she is writer who can do clever humor with disgusting ease! I know that humor is terribly subjective, but it has to be a certain kind for me to love it, and I love hers.

    It’s also really strange that I never used to like reading humorous books. Before 9/11 I loved the dark emotional angsty stories, and only read light romances if they were traditional Regencies — Marion Devon and Joan Smith were my faves. But for several years now, I’ve been looking for lighter, funnier romances for escape. Which is how I discovered KarenK’s delightful books.

    Any body else feel that way? Are the books you find yourself reading lighter than in past years or not? Or have you gravitated to paranoral for your escape?

    NicoleJ

  25. claudia dain on 15 Mar 2007 at 5:18 pm #

    I have to agree with you about changing reading habits, Nicole. I used to write fairly dark medievals (mostly) and now am writing very light Regencies. I just couldn’t go dark any more.

    You know how it is; reading a book takes a few hours, but writing one takes (me) a few months. I couldn’t live in that dark place for months at a time any more.

    It wasn’t 9/11 that turned the switch in me, but just ordinary life changes that took me to a different place emotionally and left me there. I found I needed to not only read light, but write light! I only hope my readers can make the switch with me.

    I love this blog. It’s just the slice of light that I’m looking for.

  26. lisapbailey on 15 Mar 2007 at 6:00 pm #

    I enjoy this blog more than some messageboards I’ve visited because of three reasons; 1. it’s very easy to navigate and 2. it’s always pure “edutainment” and 3. it’s a place i can read the opinions and observations, etc of other like minded folks without getting super involved with their lives.(That will sound perhaps strange to some but make perfect sense to others.)

    I say keep it going and I’m impressed with all the interesting things all the Goddess authors prompt us to discuss!

    loving it,
    lisa

  27. MizMacgyver on 15 Mar 2007 at 7:26 pm #

    Nicole, it might be hard for you to do but you come across making it look easy, I have actually laughed at some of your characters until my sides hurt. When I grow up I want to be one of your heroines.
    This is my first and only blog/reading list/message board. I didn’t even know what a blog was until I followed a link Sabrina had put in her newsletter. I was amazed, entertained, and captivated. Of course my son and my boyfriend think I have absolutely lost my mind, they are not used to seeing and hearing me laugh til I cry. Honest, some of you ladies should go on stage!
    I love the Goddess Blogs just as you have them now, but since this is my first I am hardly an expert. I do come every day to see who said what and who answered how. It is probably hard to believe after reading my posts but actually I am a kind of quiet person, I think a lot but don’t say much at all. Until now. Now it seems I could right a book myself, right here, in front of everyone. I don’t know why it is easier for me to type it here than say it out loud but it is.
    I like the feeling of belonging to a group of like minded people. I am not exactly surrounded by readers in “real time” so this is like heaven to me. I also love the assortment of subjects, it is like a bunch of women having a hen party.
    I honestly don’t know how you could improve on perfection.

  28. Sabrina Jeffries on 15 Mar 2007 at 8:02 pm #

    I’m coming late to the discussion, because I’ve been in and out of bed the last few days (got the “crud,” as my friends call it), but I swear, I missed it. I was a bit apprehensive about trying to fit it into my life when Karen and I decided to do it, but I have had SO MUCH FUN!!!

    And I, too, miss TRJ, Nicole. That was a great group of women. I hated when it went under, although I do love the Avon Ladies board, too, although I’m not really supposed to hang out there anymore, since I haven’t had a book out from Avon in 3 years. :-)

    As for humor being hard, I’ll tell you a little secret, Nicole. I’m not funny. Or I never thought I was until recently. My brothers and my dad were always quick on their feet with the zingers, and I just couldn’t keep up. I’m still not quick on my feet the way they are, but I’ve sort of loosened up or something and am learning to let my funny out. It probably helps that I’m married to a funny guy. He makes me laugh every single day.

    Going lighter–oddly enough, I think my books are developing a dark streak. But not TOO dark. Just dark enough to flavor them or something. I still want lighter romance. After my son was diagnosed, I couldn’t read or write dark and angsty anymore, because my life WAS dark and angsty. Now that he’s doing so well, I can venture into that a little, but I doubt I could ever go there permanently again. I just can’t help but find the humor in everything I see. I’m always tempted to say, “Oh, PLEASE, get over yourself” to any character who’s bemoaning their life. My son has been a real help with that. He absolutely loves life, and it’s hard not to have it spill over into the rest of our lives. :-)

  29. Kelly Ann on 15 Mar 2007 at 9:50 pm #

    I’ve never participated in anything like this until visting Sabrina’s website. I love being able to communicate with others who have the same love of authors and books that I do, especially getting to talk with above said author goddesses. Everyone is always so fun, welcoming and the topics are right up my alley! It’s like coming home on the web!

  30. Kathy on 15 Mar 2007 at 10:27 pm #

    I am not sure how I got here, but am thrilled I did. I do love to read how the other half lives. And these are true stories!!
    My condolences to Susan. It is usually a shocker when the road turns unexpectedly, in the night, with no headlights.
    Thanks ladies for some great giggles.

  31. EllenElyse on 16 Mar 2007 at 12:09 am #

    Thanks Nicole! :) I just love this! I know what you mean about not being funny. I’m not a funny person either. But sometimes, I say something that just is me, and my friends will laugh. I couldn’t do it on cue to save my life. You wrote, “Good thing my dh had already gone to bed cause he would have thought me demented.” I cracked up! Because this happens to me too, and I understand completely. I’ll laugh out loud, and realize I did it, and self consciously look around the room so see if anyone is there. :) Or I’ll say something… “Jerk.” And feel stupid. :) This may sound lame, or completely obvious, in which case it would be lame anyway… but to me, the funniest things are things that we all do. Things I can really identify with. Or comparisons of something common with something uncommon or silly. Does that make any sense? I laugh all the time with these blogs because I’m surprised to find so many people having similar experiences, or complications as I have. :) This was prevalent in the blog about men being hunter/gatherers. :) I was laughing all the way down the page!

    Something that would be neat for the site is a page where you all share your favorite books and authors. I made a little list of the ones you mentioned, because if you like them, and I like your work, I’m sure I’ll like them too. :) About the darkness and the light… I’ve always felt that your books are light-hearted. I always know that it will work out in the end, so I don’t feel much stress. It’s a completely relaxing and happy escape for me.

    I’ll shut up now. :)

  32. Nicole Jordan on 16 Mar 2007 at 8:29 am #

    EllenElyse on 16 Mar 2007
    >>Something that would be neat for the site is a page where you all share your favorite books and authors. I made a little list of the ones you mentioned, because if you like them, and I like your work, I’m sure I’ll like them too.

    Eeek! If you mainly like steam, Ellen, you probably won’t like the Regency authors I mentioned cause their trad Regencies (the short ones) unusally have nothing more than a kiss. I like them for their wit and particular writing style. And Karen Kendall’s Fit to be Tied doesn’t really have any sex on the page, just some fadeaway scenes, because the story isn’t a typical romance, although I can say it has a happy ending. But if you want to read Karen’s books, I suggest you find her Harlequin Blazes. Lots of great steam as well as humor, plus she always anchors her funny stuff with a strong emotional hook, which I need for substance.

    Actually, a lot of the books I read for pleasure are nothing like what I write, since usually after a long day I need escape from my work, not more of the same! So I read a lot of thrillers and some series contemps. I could make a list of books and authors I like, but I’m afraid I would leave out someone and hurt their feelings! But you can check my Monthly News page on my site for my Hot Pick…. Each month I put up a book I’m really looking forward to reading.

    NicoleJ

  33. Nicole Jordan on 16 Mar 2007 at 8:36 am #

    lisapbailey on 15 Mar 2007
    >>>I enjoy this blog more than some messageboards I’ve visited because of three reasons; 1. it’s very easy to navigate and 2. it’s always pure “edutainment” and 3. it’s a place i can read the opinions and observations, etc of other like minded folks without getting super involved with their lives.(That will sound perhaps strange to some but make perfect sense to others.)

    Nope, that makes a lot of sense to me, Lisa, lol. And that’s a very cool word — edutainment. Great way to describe stuff that’s informative but fun, too.

    As for the navigation, we have our webmistress, Laura, and our fearless site leader goddess, Karen Hawkins to thank for the main design. We’re still working out a few bugs and figuring out where to put stuff like upcoming books info, but I’m glad you like it! I like it cause it’s clean and not too cluttered with stuff that interferes with focus on the blogs.

    Nicole

  34. Nicole Jordan on 16 Mar 2007 at 8:47 am #

    Kelly Ann on 15 Mar 2007
    >>> It’s like coming home on the web!

    Kathy on 15 Mar 2007
    >>>I am not sure how I got here, but am thrilled I did.

    MizMacgyver on 15 Mar 2007
    >>> I am not exactly surrounded by readers in “real time” so this is like heaven to me. I also love the assortment of subjects, it is like a bunch of women having a hen party.

    Those are lovely descriptions, ladies! Now I hope we can keep it up! But the success of this blogsite truly does depend on the participation of our readers. We resident goddesses could sit up here on Mt. Olympus spouting off for days on end, but unless we connect with our fellow reader goddesses, our words are just floating off into thin air. Plus, it’s the interaction that sparks a lot of fun thoughts and exchanges.

    Sabrina Jeffries on 15 Mar 2007
    >>> I swear, I missed it. I was a bit apprehensive about trying to fit it into my life when Karen and I decided to do it, but I have had SO MUCH FUN!!!

    Me, too, Sarbrina! I’m so glad you and KarenH decided to create The Goddess Blogs. Thank you!

    NicoleJ

  35. Jo Goodman on 16 Mar 2007 at 12:07 pm #

    Ah, yes, Nicole, the days of the romance journal. Log in. A rant here. A pithy comment there. Log out. What bliss. What fun folks. I miss it, too. On the other hand…how do y’all have the time? I’m stealing a few minutes at work and feeling guilty. At home I’m dial-up challenged and way too impatient. Sigh. What angst. And what in the world makes you think you aren’t funny? Puhleeze. You make me grin aplenty. Laughing out loud is overrated. It makes me pee.

  36. EllenElyse on 16 Mar 2007 at 2:20 pm #

    That makes sense, thanks Nicole! I’m happy with your books… until I finish all of them… then I’ll go on the search. :) I do love humor… of course substance, and a happy ending. I’ll check out your picks too…

  37. Nicole Jordan on 16 Mar 2007 at 5:29 pm #

    Jo!!!! It’s so great to see you here! I sure do miss your rants and your pithy comments. You always made my day when we were part of TRJ. And you know the humor in your wonderful books makes me laugh and the emotion makes me cry.

    And yes, Jo, these blogs have taken a lot of time and work, but the fun we get out of it has been worth it so far… Of course that may change if I start running out of decent blog topics, lol.

    I sure wish you could find the time to join us here. We would all benefit so much from your delightful partcipation! But with a full time job plus books due regularly, I’ll reluctantaly excuse you if you can’t make it very often.

    See now, EllenE, if you want to know one of my very favorite historical authors, it’s Jo Goodman A lot of her older books are Americana but she mostly doing Regency settings these days.. And her stories have some lovely steam too.

    And so does Kathryn Smith’s historicals. If you want some hot, emotional stories like Lisa Kleypas, you should definitely try Kathryn’s! Although her last two have been delicious vampire romances… and I don’t know if vamps are your thing.

    NicoleJ

  38. EllenElyse on 16 Mar 2007 at 6:09 pm #

    Oh fabulous! Thanks Nicole! I’ll definitely pick them all up! I have read Lisa Kleypas, and really enjoyed them. I do dig vamps… :) My dad is actually a horror movie actor, so I’ve been kind of ensconced in horror since I was born. :) I like older “horror” though. Dracula and such… stories with an actual plot. :) I’m sure I’d really like Karen’s stuff. I do LOVE my regencies, and highland books though. I have a fascination with England and Scotland… that’s where my family was primarily from… dad is English… mom’s side Scottish.

    Thank you!! :)

  39. dbrown3400 on 16 Mar 2007 at 7:45 pm #

    The one statement Nicole made originally - “because I need it” applies to me as well. I will add almost everything else above as well except I don’t post on other blogs at this point. Just as I’m late on this thread, I wouldn’t want to feel a pressure of needing to rush home from work to post on several blogs. The Goddesses have an “around the coffee/tea/brandy (or beverage of your choice) table” feel that is nice to come home to even if I just read and enjoy.

    To feed an OCD of mine I will read all backlists of each goddess that I’ve not read to date. I had that interest when I joined. One thing I was wondering is at some point could we have a suggestion topic box coming from us out here in cyberspace?

    Donna

  40. Nicole Jordan on 17 Mar 2007 at 10:35 am #

    dbrown3400 on 16 Mar 2007
    >>> The Goddesses have an “around the coffee/tea/brandy (or beverage of your choice) table” feel that is nice to come home to even if I just read and enjoy.

    That is such a nice image, Donna. I would love to keep it up.

    >>> To feed an OCD of mine I will read all backlists of each goddess that I’ve not read to date. I had that interest when I joined.

    LOL. I’m that way with new authors I discover. If I love their style, I just HAVE to have their entire backlist.

    >>> One thing I was wondering is at some point could we have a suggestion topic box coming from us out here in cyberspace?

    I think that’s a great idea… or at least I would love have suggestions of possible topics to put on my lists for possible future blogs. I have 2 long ones now, one about writing/reading, one about non-writing stuff, but I’m sure I’ll run out of ideas eventually, lol.

    As for an actual suggestion box, I’m not quite sure if we should set one on the site, since we’re trying to keep the links to a minimum so the pages will be clean, simple, and clutter-free. Plus, the bigger problem is spammers. The more forms you offer, the great the risk of jerks flooding our in-boxes.

    But I can think of two easy ways for everyone to submit ideas for blog topics.

    1) Just add your ideas to a comment whenever you want. Either devote an entire comment to your topic ideas, or embed your ideas in a reply to any blog. We all read the blogs and comments, so we’ll be sure to see any suggestions. That may be the best way. Or…

    2) Send us an e-mail with your suggestions (link a the bottom left that says “Contact Us.”) That’ll go to a general “goddess blogs” in-box), and one of us is in charge of reading and figuring out how to handle general e-mail. If you want it to go to a specific resident goddess, just be sure to say that up top in your e-mail.

    Do you think that’ll work?

    NicoleJ

  41. TheNightPoet on 19 Mar 2007 at 12:50 am #

    For me The Goddess Blogs have been a place I can go to to feel like I have somewhere to go where others have something in common with me. (my love of romance novels) At least that’s what it started out to be for me. Now it has progressed to a feeling of belonging to a group that is funny, silly and who have some things in common with me. I love logging online and taking time out after checking my e-mail to log on to the site and reading the blogs by the authors and everyone else. I have shared some of your stories with my parents and had them laughing. I’ve even talked about how much I love what the site gives me to my mom. She is glad I have found this site and has even viewed it with me when I’ve been on here. (my dad has viewed the site with me too)

    I can’t say what I expect from the site, because I love it a lot. I love how the Goddess authors write their blogs and it inspires the Goddess readers to respond. It’s amazing all the different stories you read and learn from everyone. :) I hope this site continues to keep running and I look forward to continue visiting and commenting. Thank you to all my fellow Goddesses for making it a great place to “hang out”. It is a nice place to come when I need a break from everything else. :)

    Andrea

  42. Kathy on 22 Mar 2007 at 8:53 am #

    This site is inspiring to me. It gets me to read more autors like each one of you. I also tell other romance lovers about this web site to meet yous. Some of you I am sorry to say never heard or read your books. But I write your names and are going to get your books. I enjoy your chats. This site also has help me to be more creative and lighten up too. I really like this web blog. I don’t blog any where. So, you have help me out of my fear to talk outside my box.
    Thanks to all of you Ladies for your time. Thanks

  43. Nicole Jordan on 23 Mar 2007 at 12:29 am #

    Andrea, I love it that you’ve shared our site with your folks! And it would be great if they felt like joining in, too!

    Kathy on 22 Mar 2007
    >>>>So, you have helpe me out of my fear to talk outside my box.

    Kathy, that is so lovely! And I know exactly what you mean. If it hadn’t been for Deb Marlowe and couple of other readers who came up to me at a conference a number of years ago and persuaded me to give The Romance Journal a try, I never would have started posting, and I would have missed out on so much, including some wonderful friends. So I hope it works that way for you here, too!

    NicoleJ

  44. susang on 02 Apr 2007 at 10:59 am #

    I am so pleased to see so many old TRJ friends on this blog. I haven’t had an on-line place to call home (where I feel comfortable participating) since the TRJ days. It’s also terrific to see so many writers who have entertained me for many hours on this blog.

    I just want to make a quick comment on something that Nicole said. While I generally will read in any genre, I find it easier to read almost anything paranormal these days. It’s the total escape that appeals right now!