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Roberta

UNITED STATES


Joined August 1st 2007

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LOSING THE AUTHOR WHO INSPIRED ME:

August 9th 2007 16:23
I picked up my September issue of Romantic Times Magazine this morning and was saddened to learn romance author Kathleen E. Woodiwiss lost her battle with cancer on July 6th at the age of 68.
Kathleen's first novel, THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER, released by Avon Publishing in 1972, sparked the entire romance genre. In 1974 her second book, THE WOLF AND THE DOVE was released.
Kathleen inspired me to write my first book...an historical entitled THE GOLDEN LADY. That was in 1984 and I was going through a divorce from my first husband. I was down and out, the lowest I've ever been, feeling scared to be a single parent to my two young children. My friend Sue brought me a book, entitled A ROSE IN WINTER, by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. I became mesmerized with her style of writing, the way she portrayed her heroes, heroines and the explicit (yet tasteful) love scenes. I couldn't get enough of her....buying everything she wrote and reading each book two and three times over.
To this day her books grace my bookshelfs and are still re-read. Recently I took out THE GOLDEN LADY, rewrote and revised it and now its being considered by Source Books. I've dedicated it to Kathleen...too bad she'll never know.
A few years ago I wrote her a letter, explaining to her how captivated I'd become with her characters....especially her handsome heroes. She was nice enough to answer me with a letter I cherish to this day. In 2002 I was Newsletter Editor for my Romance Writers of America's local group, Capital Region - RWA. I interviewed Kathleen for the bi-monthly publication, Capital Romance. She took time out of her busy schedule to answer my questions, showing all her fans what a heartwarming and genuinely nice person she was.
Romance readers have truly lost their QUEEN OF ROMANCE. If you're a Woodiwiss fan and would like to send a message of condolence to her family, you can leave your post at:
Really Long Link

Sincerely,
Roberta C.M. DeCaprio

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Reading it FUNDAMENTAL

August 8th 2007 15:11
I am a true believer that reading helps a writer to write better. Studying the way other authors create dialogue, their character's point of view and the way they master the "flowing" sentence can be helpful tools. Though I am a multi-published author, I know the learning process is ongoing. When I stop thinking I need to know more, that is when I will cease to grow...therefore I read, and read, and read.
Recently I have read...more like devoured....THE HISTORIAN by Elizabeth Kostova. This thick piece of well-written literature centered around the premise of Vlad the Impaler as Dracula. We all know Bram Stoker fashioned his Dracula character after Vlad, but Kostova actually had Vlad as Dracula and still living...well, as alive as the UNDEAD can be. Thoroughout the novel her characters went in search of Vlad, their travels taking them to all locations on the globe. So vivid were Kostova's descriptions, I could smell the musty crypt, the rotting flesh, hear the footsteps behind me on a darkened path, and feel the fear trickle down my spine.
I also love to read time travel novels. Two of my favorite authors writing this genre is Constance O'Day-Flannery and Karen Marie Moning. But the QUEEN OF TIME TRAVEL is author Diana Gabaldon.
I have had the pleasure of meeting Diana, an enchanting woman, beautiful both inside and out, interesting conversationalist and an exceptional researcher. One thing I've learned by attending numerous writing workshops is that even though you are writing something far-fetched, it must read credible. Gabaldon places her characters amongst actual and accurate accounts of history and has done a tremendous amount of research. Gabaldon has also defied the rules of writing, making her novels over the standard word count and a thousand pages long. She's combined her heroine's first person point of view with the other character's third person view point, something very hard to master without confusing the reader. All in all, picking up her OUTLANDER series and losing yourself to her world is something a reader will never forget.
READ AND ENJOY!
Roberta C.M. DeCaprio


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In The Beginning

August 6th 2007 17:01
In the beginning...there's always a beginning...I wrote to occupy a lonesome child within. Having a walking disability since birth, I was forced to watch from my front porch, during the summer vacation from school, other children ride their bikes, roller skate and jump rope. That was when books became my friends. Their pages shared adventures and colorful imaginings, and the lonely days passed quicker.
My maternal grandmother would always say, "If life deals you a bunch of lemons, make lemonade." So I began to try my hand at conjuring up my own stories, and it was then I learned about "the hook."
What's a hook? In writing, it is the element that keeps the reader reading, turning the pages until the story is done. If I was to hope able-bodied children would sit on a porch with me instead of continuing the active play, I needed a hook.
I wrote plays, using paperdolls as the players, and I put on a show. Soon the other children wanted parts in these plays. Together we made new paperdolls or sock puppets and wrote their parts. I suddenly had friends.
The desire to write followed me throughout the years and today I am a published author. My first paranormal romantic suspense entitled, COMA COAST, was released October 2006 by Wings Press (www.wings-press.com) and its sequel, a paranormal romantic thriller entitled, THE VANITY, was just released August 1st, 2007. To read an excerpt from these books log on to my personal site at: www.robertadecaprio.com.
A third book, a paranormal romantic fantasy entitled, A RIVER OF ORANGE published by The Wild Rose Press (www.thewildrosepress.com) will debut the end of 2007. I'm also an Assistant Editor for Independence Today Newspaper (a bi-monthly publication dedicated to the needs and rights of the disabled).
This blog I've created, whatsinaword.net, is my way to share and help other writers in their goal to be published. And for readers, I will share reviews and tips on what books I've enjoyed and found interesting.
Stop by often.
Roberta C.M. DeCaprio

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Comment by Roberta
on Welcome to Butterfly Etching

August 9th 2007 15:36
Hi Meg,
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Check out my personal site at: www.robertadecaprio.com & read an excerpt from my books, view pictures and get to know me better.
Sincerely,
Roberta DeCaprio

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