Julia Harlow's Blog

Why is it so difficult to come up with a title? At some point before publishing, Work in Progress needs to change to .... what?

You'd think after months and months of writing a novel, living it day in and day out, thinking just like the characters, the perfect title would automatically pop into your head, right? But no. Nada. Nyet.

Writing the entire book is easier for me than coming up with a title. Some authors say they ask friends to help them find the perfect title. As an erotic romance author writing under a pen name, unfortunately, that's not an option for me.

So it's back to banging my head against the keyboard. Hopefully that sought after title will come to me before bruises set in.

Don't you just love it when you're at the end of the day and the next chapter of a great book is just waiting for you? Some of my favorite books are ones I've read before, like the current one I'm re-reading, This Heart of Mine, by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. It beckons to me. I'll probably stay up way too late reading about star-crossed lovers Molly and Kevin, but it'll be so worth it.

It's really hard sometimes to "stick to the knitting," or focus on writing. I've got a good start on book #4, and I'm really excited about it, but I find myself drumming up other things I "need" to do instead of writing.

Once I get going, it's good, but the procrastination—ugh. Because writing, even though I love it is, honestly, effing hard!!!

When I was a young girl, our neighbors asked me to pet-sit their German Shepherd, Ginger. That dog was amazing and made such an impression on me that I still love the breed until this day. No wonder a German Shepherd plays a pivotal role in my new release, All Tyed Up!

I've started my 4th erotic romance, and I'm really excited about it. It's set in London, and there just might be an engaging cat in it, along with a gorgeous alpha and lovely heroine. However, since All Tyed Up was released on July 26th, I feel like I should spend time promoting it instead of writing book #4. Hard to decide what to work on!

Many readers are sensitive to the heat level of erotic romance. Personally, it doesn't matter to me as long as there are solid characters and an intense, engaging story-line. If it's graphic sex for just for the sake of it, then no thanks.

How about you?