Writing While Distracted

Complex Dimensions

Double Six

Rainbow Snippet September 14-15

Posted on September 14, 2019 by Brenda

Happy Weekend Snippeteers! It’s time for another snippet. My novel Complex Dimensions now is available for pre-order now from Ninestars’ website as well as Amazon. This week’s snip finds Veronica and Millie in the kitchen, enjoy!

From Complex Dimensions:

MILLIE WORE A black tank top and her faded jeans rode low on her hips as she stirred a small red pot of soup. The smell of potatoes and beef filled the tiny space that served as the kitchen.

“Beef stew?” Veronica peered into the pan.

“Scotch Broth. Barley, potatoes, beef, mutton, peas, carrots, some onion.”

“Sounds like my grandma’s beef stew, except she doesn’t put mutton or barley in hers.” Veronica’s stomach growled.

Millie pointed at two bowls on the counter. “Hand me those and I’ll serve. I lived on this at Uni.”

Veronica passed her two bowls and Millie ladled the soup into them. “Spoons?”

“Top drawer. Crisps are in the cupboard.”

Veronica collected two spoons and pulled a lurid orange and yellow bag from the cupboard. “Nik-Naks Nice ’n’ Spicy. What the hell are these things? Nice and Spicy. What does that mean? Are they really?”

Millie tilted her head at Veronica. “You’ve been here four months and not had Nik-Naks?”

“I’ve been a little busy.” Veronica rested a hand on her hip, raised an eyebrow, and met Millie’s gaze.

Brenda Murphy writes erotic romance. Her novel, Knotted Legacy, made The Lesbian Review’s 2018 Top 100 Vacation Reads list. She loves sideshows and tattoos and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local library she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted. You can find her on Facebook by clicking here. Sign Up for her email list here www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Complex Dimensions, the fourth book in the Rowan House series

Fun with the folks at WROTE

Posted on September 13, 2019 by Brenda

I had the opportunity to talk with the fabulus folks over at the WROTE Podcast. Check out my interview where I talk about the lessons I learned writing an accidental series, panty liners and the small moments that change your life.

Rainbow Snippet August 24-25

Posted on August 24, 2019 by Brenda

Hello all, it is the weekend and time for another #rainbowsnippet. This week my kids went back to school, and I’m knee-deep in new projects, or as I like to think of it playing with my imaginary friends. My next Rowan House novel Complex Dimensions releases in a few weeks, so this week’s snip is a bit of Veronica and Millie. Enjoy.
From Complex Dimensions:
“Do you fancy a snack? Robin packed us some biscuits and sandwiches.”
Veronica smiled at Millie. “Not hungry”—she trailed her fingers down Millie’s arm leaving tiny raised hairs in their wake—”for cookies.”
Millie closed the flap on her saddle pack. “No?”
Veronica passed the water bottle back to Millie. “Nope.”
Millie stowed the water bottle in the pack. “Sandwich, then?”
“Not hungry for anything but you.” Veronica tugged her hand and pulled her into a kiss, loving the way Millie relaxed into her.
Millie’s hands rested on Veronica’s waist, her thumbs rubbing in small circles over Veronica’s hipbones. “And after Robin spent so long making us lunch.”
“Later.” Veronica had wrapped one arm around Millie’s broad shoulders, and with her other hand she played with the soft brush of hair on the back of her head.

Books available at

Rainbow Snippet June 29-30

Posted on June 29, 2019 by Brenda

A steamy Saturday here, and I spent the morning making dolmas from the grape leaves pruned from my backyard vines. A dear friend came over and shared his mother’s recipe and they were delicious. It made me think of all the wonderful food I wrote about in Both Ends of the Whip, my novel inspired by a trip to a vineyard in Northern Italy and so this week’s snip is a throwback from that novel.

Both End of the Whip is the second book in the Rowan House Series and was my first experiment in writing a poly romance. I hope you enjoy this snip.

From Both Ends of the Whip:

Vivian lifted her chin, her gaze steady. “I have the contracts here. They’re for six months. That should be enough time for all of us to decide if the arrangement is acceptable.” She lifted an elegant black fountain pen from the desk and uncapped it. With a flowing hand she signed her name to each document. She held the pen out, and Octavia walked to the desk. Her fingers brushed against Vivian’s as she took the pen, and a tingle of desire worked its way to her core. Octavia signed her name on the contract. Damn. Get it together. This is trouble. So much trouble. When she was finished, she laid the pen on the desk and glanced up into Vivian’s eyes. The tingle turned into a strong wave of heat. Looking away from Vivian, she stepped back.
Vivian picked up the pen and held it out for Bridget. With slow steps Bridget walked to the desk, her focus fixed on Vivian’s face. Octavia noted the small tremor that shook her hand as she took the pen from Vivian and the way Bridget lowered her gaze when Vivian looked at her. After signing her name, Bridget held the pen out with both hands, palms up, an offering. Vivian’s lips curved into a smile as she took the pen from Bridget’s uplifted hands.
She didn’t smile at me. What the hell is wrong with me? So what? Get it together. She’s our employer. Nothing more. Damn, she gets to me. And to Bridget.

Books available at

Rainbow Snippets June 1-2

Posted on June 1, 2019 by Brenda

Hello Snippeteers,

This week’s snip is from a project I started years ago and recently dusted off. When I started it I had no idea how to structure a novel and get to the end. Six years and seven novels later I feel like I have a handle on that part. I’ve written contemporary romance for the last six years but this spring I wrote a paranormal novella. It was fresh and fun and I and decided I needed to revisit this story. On Friday, I scored a fantastic premade cover from the fabulous May Dawney. Check out her designs here. And now I can’t wait to work on this story again.

A rough draft snip from Helen and Lucinda (working title)

Helen rested her hands on the rough stones of the parapet. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead and soaked the band of her eye patch. Moonlight made dense black shadows on the worn grey blocks of the tower floor and the soft rustling sound of wings cut through the humid night air. Helen’s breath hitched, and she shivered in spite of the heat.

Moonlight made dense black shadows on the worn grey stones. The soft rustling sound of wings cut through the humid night air. Helen’s breath hitched, and she shivered in spite of the heat. Her thin nightdress accented her curves and she plucked at the fabric that clung to her heavy breasts and half-hard nipples.

Lucinda’s winged form blotted out the full moon as she glided to a stop in front of Helen.

“Miss me?” Lucinda’s eyes glittered, bright against her pale green skin.

Unable to look away from Lucinda’s obsidian eyes, Helen swallowed on a dry throat before she whispered her answer. “Yes.”

“Sorry I kept you waiting.”

“You’re here now.” Helen took a step forward, lifted her chin and fixed her gaze on Lucinda’s lush mouth.

“So I am.” Lucinda twined her long arms about Helen, and her wings curtained around them as she pulled her into a tight embrace.

Helen sighed against Lucinda’s mouth as she tipped her head back and relaxed into her touch and the urgency of her kiss.

Brenda Murphy writes erotic romance. Her novel, Knotted Legacy, made The Lesbian Review’s Top 100 Vacation Reads list for 2018. She loves sideshows and tattoos and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local library she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted. You can find her on Facebook by clicking here. Sign Up for her email list here www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Rainbow Snippet May 25-26

Posted on May 25, 2019 by Brenda

Hello Snippeteers,

I’m celebrating this week because I submitted my erotic paranormal romance duology with Megan Hart to my editor at NineStar press. Today’s Rainbow Snippet is from my story in the duology, Shifting Flames.

Eve and Celeste have been two of my favorite characters to write and I expect that I will write more paranormal romances after dipping my fingers into the genre, so to speak. I’m taking some time off this summer to noodle my next series and spend some time with my family but I will keep up with snips. Be sure to check out the other fabulous snips from other others at #rainbowsnippets

From Shifting Flames:

After lunch Eve returned to the study. Celeste was standing at the window her hand against the pane of glass, staring out at the valley.

“Are you okay?” Eve placed the cup of coffee she had brought with her on the desk.

Celeste turned from the window and shrugged her shoulders. “I’m sorry for before. I’m ready to work now.”

Eve sat and opened her laptop. “Why don’t we set some guidelines, map out what is most important to you as a storyteller, then we’ll work through the scenes and dialogue to make that happen.”

“Are you a magician? You think we can really tell the story in one-hundred ten scenes? I must have been mad to agree to this.” Celeste turned back to the window, her hands clenched into fists.

“Look at me.”

Celeste turned back to Eve.

“We can do this. It may not be exactly what you want but if you’re serious we can make this happen. Trust me. Please.” Eve held Celeste’s gaze. “Don’t give up on this.”

Celeste rested her hands on her hips and inclined her head toward the window and the snowstorm outside. “It’s not like I could send you away.”

In this group, you’ll find anything from romance and historical fiction to mystery and YA. The common thread is that every story’s main character identifies as LGBTQ+. The snippets could range from zero flames to full-on sexy times, anything goes content-wise. The only rule is snippets will be 6 sentences long–one for each color in the Pride flag.

Brenda Murphy writes short fiction and novels. She loves tattoos and sideshows and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local library and writing, she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted. You can find her on Facebook by clicking here. For news about upcoming releases, appearances, sneak peeks and giveaways sign Up for her email list at www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Rainbow Snippet May 11- 12

Posted on May 11, 2019 by Brenda

Hello Snippeteers,

I’ve been hard at work on my paranormal romance and this week I have a snip for you. This a first draft so somethings may change. I hope you enjoy Eve and Celeste as much as well I’ve enjoyed writing them.

From Shifting Flames:

The ride in back to her house did nothing to cool the desire that had stirred in Celeste after her initial meeting with Eve. Her foiled hunt had left her beast restless and hungry. Not hungry. Famished. Starving. The press of Eve’s body against her fanned the embers of a long banked fire. So long. Ten years. So long since she had even entertained the idea of indulging her needs. A wet ache settled between her legs. Eve’s surprising push-back was refreshing after the succession of spineless screenwriters sent to work with her, each one convinced that working with Celeste to bring her perennial best selling novel to the big screen would make their careers. Not this one. She knows her worth. Owns her power.

The anger and rage that flashed in Eve’s chestnut brown eyes when Celeste challenged her had stirred her blood and desire had flared within her body. Memories of Eve’s wild mane of dark hair framing her high cheekbones and angular face and the way her full mouth had pulled into a snarl when Celeste had teased her about working naked made saliva pool in Celeste’s mouth as she thought about kissing the impatient expression off her face. She gave over to her fantasy as she navigated the track back to the house. Celeste mulled Eve’s possible response if she pushed her a harder, would she cave? Become another obsequious disappointment? Or would she rise to the occasion and give Celeste what she had craved since Lorraine’s passing.

Brenda Murphy writes erotic romance. Her novel, Knotted Legacy, made The Lesbian Review’s Top 100 Vacation Reads list for 2018. She loves sideshows and tattoos and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local library, she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted. You can find her on Facebook by clicking here. For sneak peeks, more a few rants and news about upcoming releases, sign up for her email list here www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

When You’ve Lost the Thread

Posted on April 11, 2019 by Brenda

It’s been a while since I’ve written about writing, mostly because I’ve found a system for fast-draft writing that has worked with my ADHD. I used my system for seven novels and I’ve been comfortable with the results. I have never been a detailed outliner. I work from a scene list and character goal-motivation and conflict sheets and let my story evolve organically within that framework. I typically draft a 60-65K novel in four to six weeks and then spend three to four weeks revising and editing my draft before submitting it.
Trusting in my system, I used it with my current project, a novella-length paranormal romance with dual points of view. With this project, because I needed to attend to two character’s points of view, along with paranormal conventions, I’ve been feeling my way along the story, and it was going well, slowly, but well.
And then I needed to take some time after my brother-in-law’s death. I set my story aside for three weeks, and when I started working on my novella again, I was lost. I couldn’t remember what I had written, or where I was going in the story.
Because my way of working falls somewhere between a painter and a plotter I used a technique that is a routine part of my revision process, I printed out what I had written and reverse outlined the story as a way of figuring out what I needed to do to complete my draft.
After reviewing my outline I know I need to write six more scenes to finish my first draft and have about 13K words to complete those scenes and stay within my word count limit.
What is a reverse outline? It involves reading what you’ve written and then creating an outline from that document. It can be detailed or brief as it fits your style. For me, it’s a one-sentence description of what happens in each scene.
I don’t stop to edit my work. I merely outline my story as it stands. After I have completed the outline I read over it to assess if my scenes flow as they should, that my story beats are where they should be, and in this case that I’ve given equal time to each character’s point of view. I use highlighters to tag types of scenes and transitions.
It is the simplest way I’ve found to check structure and beats, and if you have lost your way, it is a road map back to your central story and ensures that critical elements of your novel are not missing. If you struggle with plotting and structure, try adding a reverse outline to your routine revision process.
This time a reverse outline was a way of finding my way back to writing after a family tragedy, and another step toward preventing my grief from keeping my words bottled up.
Will a reverse outline work for everyone? Nope. If you are detailed outliner and are able to stick to your outline religiously, it might be redundant, as a plotser (panter+plotter) it is essential for me. Try it the next time you’re stuck and take advantage of a simple way to assess your story structure.

Brenda Murphy writes short fiction and novels. She loves tattoos and sideshows and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local tea shop and writing, she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted. You can find her on Facebook by clicking here. Sign Up for her email list here www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at