The Submissive by Tara Sue Me-Guest Post and Giveaway

Learning to Listen

I told myself it was just touch of writer’s block.

I even believed it for a few days. After all, I can be very convincing when I want to be. I was working on a new manuscript, writing a scene I’d been looking forward to diving into and one I’d spent a lot of time researching.

At first it worked, the words were coming, everyone was happy, and I was well on my way to meeting my daily word count goal.  But little-by-little, it got harder and harder.  Slowly it became forced and after awhile, it felt like I was putting words in my character’s mouth.

Something’s wrong, that little voice whispered.

Nah, I replied, I’m just tired, it’ll be better after lunch.

Except it wasn’t, so I did some laundry and helped the kids with homework and told myself I’d sleep on it.

Something’s wrong, the voice repeated the next day as I typed word after painful word.

That’s okay, I said. I’ll fix it in rewrites.

Something’s wrong, it said again the following day.

I know, I finally admitted, staring at the screen and reading over the paltry handful of words I’d managed to get out after three days. I’m the worst writer, ever. I don’t know what I was thinking, I can’t write.

But as it turns out, I’m not only convincing, I’m stubborn. I ended up finishing that scene and breathing a huge sigh of relief. I fiddled with the chapter as I read over it. Something was off, but I couldn’t decide what. Plus, it was a playroom scene, so it should have been at least a little hot, but it wasn’t. I told myself I just didn’t feel any heat because I’d read it so many times.

I have the world’s best pre-readers and crit partners. They’re quick to tell me when something’s not right, doesn’t work, or makes no sense. So, I wasn’t too surprised with the feedback I received on that chapter. “The characters are missing,” one said. I read the chapter again and realized she’d confirmed what I knew. I had words on a page, but nothing else. There was no emotion, no voice, nothing.

How do I fix it? I asked that little voice.

I’m learning that when you tune into that inner voice and really sit down and listen, the most amazing things happen. Within minutes I realized I’d written the chapter from the wrong character’s POV. It wasn’t the hero’s scene to tell, it was the heroine’s. No wonder I’d had such a hard time getting him to tell me anything.

When I sat down to rewrite the chapter everything was so much easier. The character’s showed up, there was emotion, there was voice.

And oh, yes, there was heat.

 

About the Author:

Tara Sue Me wrote her first novel at the age of twelve. It would be twenty years before she picked up her pen to write the second.

After completing several traditional romances, she decided to try her hand at something spicier and started The Submissive. What began as a writing exercise quickly took on a life of its own. An avid reader of all types of fiction, she soon discovered she enjoyed writing a variety as well.

Tara lives in the Southeastern United States with her family, two dogs, and a cat.

Visit her online:

Website: http://tarasueme.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tarasuemebooks
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tarasueme

The Submissive (The Submissive Trilogy #1)
by Tara Sue Me
Release Date: February 7, 2013

Click HERE to read our review of THE SUBMISSIVE

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Abby King has a secret fantasy.

New York knows Nathaniel West as the brilliant and handsome CEO of West Industries, but Abby knows he’s more: a sexy and skilled dominant who is looking for a new submissive. Yearning to experience a world of pleasure beyond her simple life as a librarian, Abby offers herself to Nathaniel, to fulfill her most hidden desires.

After only one weekend with the Master, Abby knows she needs more, and fully submits to Nathaniel’s terms. But despite the pleasure he takes in Abby’s willing spirit, the Nathaniel hidden behind the rules remains cold and distant.

As Abby falls deeper into his tantalizing world of power and passion, she fears that Nathaniel’s heart may be beyond her reach—and that her own might be beyond saving…

The Dominant (The Submissive Trilogy #2)
by Tara Sue Me
Release Date: August 6, 2013

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Nathaniel West doesn’t lose control.

As the playboy CEO of West Industries, he governs the boardroom during the day; as a strict dominant with exacting rules, he commands the bedroom at night. He never takes on inexperienced submissives, but when Abigail King’s application comes across his desk, he breaks his own restrictions and decides to test her limits.

Abby’s combination of innocence and willingness is intoxicating, and Nathaniel is soon determined to collar her as his own. As long as she follows his orders and surrenders herself fully to him, no one will get hurt.

But when Nathaniel begins falling for Abby on a deeper level, he realizes that the trust must go both ways—and he has secrets which could bring the foundations of their entire relationship crashing down…

The Training (The Submissive Trilogy #3)
by Tara Sue Me
Release Date: October 2013

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

It started with a hidden desire.

Millionaire CEO Nathaniel West has always played by his own strict set of rules, ones he expects everyone to follow—especially the women he’s dominated in his bedroom. But his newest lover is breaking down all his boundaries and rewriting his rule book.

Abby King never imagined that she would capture the heart of Nathaniel West, one of New York City’s most eligible bachelors—and its most desirable dominant. What began as a weekend arrangement of pleasure has become a passionate romance with a man who knows every inch of her body and her soul – yet remains an enigmatic lover. Though he is tender and caring, his painful past remains a wall between them.

Abby knows the only way to truly earn his trust is to submit to him fully and let go of all of her lingering inhibitions. Because to lead Nathaniel on a path to greater intimacy, she must first let him deeper into her world than anyone has ever gone before…

Tara and the publisher are offering a giveaway copy of THE SUBMISSIVE to one lucky reader at The Reading Cafe.

1.  Please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2.  Please post your email address with your comment.

3.  Giveaway run from June 4 to June 8, 2013

4.  Giveaway open to USA only.