Viviane Brentanos's Page

How many of us out there long to find an agent, believing it is our gold-gilded path to the 'big' boys? How many hours have we spent trailing the various author help sites in our quest for literary representation? Too many, I imagine.
My question for today's blog is - is any agent better than none?

We have had it drummed into us that unless we have one of these guardian angles, our 'babies' will flounder at the bottom of the slush pile. What I would love to know, is there a pecking order of age… Continue

Ok - last week I touched on the theme of rules in romance. This week I would like to discuss writing to order. Anyone out there feel the pressure to conform to trends?
They tell us the contemporary romance is the least popular seller. Apparently paranormal is the in thing. Chick-lit, I hear is dead - and as for the 400, 000 word or more saga {excuse me - but what is the defination of a saga anyway}- don't even go there.
My question is - should we write to order? Does anyone out there feel under… Continue

Good morning, folks, from a sunny Corfu - at last! Yes Spring is finally in the air!

Today, I confess to cheating a little. I am posting a reply to a topic from one of my Facebook groups but I wanted to share my thoughts with you all to get your take on the situation. The initial question was concerning the rules of Romance writing. Here is my reply:-

Great topic - and one that I have often mulled over in my oft foggy brain. Yes, I do write romance{contemporary}. I am lucky enough to be publis… Continue

I have often been asked, what inspires me to write? I am sure my fellow authors out there have been asked the same question time and time again. Actually, the question is, more often than not, who inspires you. The answer for me is simple; it all depends on who is my 'crush' at the time.

Example:

Novel One - Russell Crowe, forever to be known to my loyal band of readers as 'the Russell'

:Novel Two - Darren Hayes - 'the Darren'

:Novel Three - Gerard Butler - 'the Gerry'

:Novel Four - Darr… Continue

Ok folks, here it is. First public taster of Written in Stone. Enjoy

CHAPTER ONE - UNEDITED EXCERT


Cassandra Hall stared across the park. A fresh autumn breeze teased at her shoulders, cool fingers determined to infiltrate the gap between neck and coat. Hastily, Cassie pulled up her collar.
The day was September mellow. Trees whispered to one another, shedding their tiresome load of brown and russet, mocking the aged park attendant as he struggled to keep up with the deepening blanket of leav… Continue