Sandy, Can't you See I'm in Misery

 

 

As we speak, Hurricane Sandy is beating the hell out of us. I'm hoping the electricity holds out so I can actually get some work done. If not, I guess I'll have to go old school and write things out long-hand and type it up later. Maybe it won't come to that. Maybe.....

In honor of the storm, I thought some wet Man Candy was in order. He may not actually be in the rain, but who cares.

I know I've been a slacker when it comes to blogging but I promise I'm going to try and do better. I swear.....and this time, I mean it.
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And, All the Playful Misspellings and Every Bite I Gave You Left a Mark

 

In keeping in the review theme, I got a bunch of emails from my publisher lately alerting me to some very nice reviews. I try not to go looking for reviews anymore. I found myself getting too caught up in the negative ones and I found the good ones didn't change my mood for a similar amount of time. In short, someone would say something nasty and I'd stew about it for days. But, when someone had something amazing to say about something I'd written, I'd shrug it off and go back to fixating on the bad stuff. I'd like to think I'm growing on that front.

As I said in my last post, most of the time, what people are reacting to, either way, in my stories, is a matter of personal preference. I've (mostly) managed to shake the notion that the reviewer is saying, "HEIDI CHAMPA IS THE WORST WRITER IN THE WORLD." Because that is what I used to think. And, while I do fall into that trap sometimes, I'd like to think I have a bit more perspective on the whole thing these days.

To that end, I thought I'd share the ONE, TWO, THREE nice reviews of my novel, Losing and Gaining. I appreciate them all and am glad that my novel has found some support.

Also, I'm happy to report that my new short story, Down Memory Lane, has made the Amber Allure Bestseller list for September!!! And, with only seven days to sell it, I think that's pretty good. Below is the whole list. Above, is the delicious Man Candy for the week. Yum.

1. Pushing The Envelope XIII: Dear Sir - Kim Dare (Gay / Contemp. / BDSM)
2. Digging For Gold - Sean Michael (Gay / Contemporary)
3. Maybe This Time - Shawn Lane (Gay / Contemporary)
4. Angels On The Outfield - Pepper Espinoza (Gay / Contemporary)
5. Tame 2: Savage - A. J. Llewellyn (Gay / Werewolf)
6. Down Memory Lane - Heidi Champa (Gay / Contemporary)
7. Run To Ground - Darcy Abriel (Gay / Werewolf)
8. Pushing The Envelope XII: Yours Faithfully - Kim Dare (Gay / Contemp. / BDSM)
9. The Friendly Werewolf & The (Almost) Virgin Vampire - Helen Louise Caroll (Gay/Werewolf /Vampire)
10. Happy Endings: Briefs - Missy Welsh (Gay / Collection)
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Although No One Understood, We Were Holding Back the Flood

 

 

"Although it was well written...."

This was a line from a recent review of my new short story, Down Memory Lane. I've seen it a few times over the years and it usually precedes the review writer taking part of my story to task for something. It might be one or more of my characters, a part of the story that didn't work for them or a lack of/too much of something. Whatever it is, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is no pleasing everyone. I just try to do the best of I can. And, while I used to take umbrage with reviews like this, I've learned to appreciate them.

You see, well written is the hidden compliment buried in the midst of all the other words that I may or may not agree with. I'm not every one's cup of tea and I know that some of my stories just don't resonate with people. But, well written is something I'll take, whether or not you thought my main character shouldn't have done such a horrible/great thing.

Well written, well, I like the sound of that....
Please to enjoy the Man Candy.... I know I do.
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