Heart tuggers
March 9th, 2010 by Edie Ramer
We recently inherited a 17-year-old beagle. Some of you have already heard me talk about Rosie. She’s fat (though losing weight fast), snores, is flatulent, and has to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
We’ve had her for only two weeks and three days . . . and we adore her. She’s a small dog with a BIG personality. I already have stories about her. One day I sent my son three different emails about things she’d done. The third time he emailed back, “You have to put her in a book.”
I immediately thought “Of course.” The little bit of my next book that I know about, she would fit right in. She’s so eager to love and be loved. The need vibrates off her. She’ll make readers laugh and will tug at their hearts. The book will be women’s fiction, and I want all my main characters to tug at hearts.
As a bonus, I’ll get to have a dog on the book cover. When I’m in a bookstore, the cover I can’t resist is one with a cute dog on it. I have to pick it up and look at the blurb. I may not buy it, but I’ll read the back cover copy. If I like it, I’ll read the first page. If I like that, then I buy it. But the cover is the first step. So the thought of a cover with a cute beagle makes me happy.
I actually remember covers with dogs, and posted a few. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that they’ve all done well — and some very well. Sure, it’s the writing. But it’s also the cute dog. Look at Marley & Me. They didn’t use the “old dog” shot. They used the “puppy” shot.
At Magical Musings, we tend to use photos of cats for our blogs. When I see cats on book covers, they are often older and not as cute. The art department is going for attitude instead of cuteness.
I think they’re missing out. Yesterday afternoon I was busy in the kitchen and turned on the TV. Ellen DeGeneres had a rerun of a show from November with Oscar winner Sandra Bullock. In addition to the movie The Blind Side, Ellen talked about Sandra’s Chihuahuas. Sandra and her husband adopted one with only two legs, and another missing one leg. Ellen showed photos of the dogs, and I could head the audience going “Aww.” I was going “Aww” with them.
See? Heart tuggers.
What about you? Would a dog cover tempt you to pick it up? What about a cover with a cute cat?
What kind of book cover tugs at your heart? What can’t you resist?
I’ve been thinking about this for a couple of months now. I’ve mentioned previously that I was so pleased to find several new authors in the urban fantasy genre. As a result, I would try ‘em out, and if I liked their voice and/or series, I’d purchase everything by that author. Which of course, would lead to a reading frenzy.
Award winning author,
First Drop of Crimson
I recently read a article about aging. Since elderly characters keep showing up in my work, I’m fascinated and inspired with the process. And too, I like plugging in once in awhile to see how the journey is working for me. I’m happy to report I have no complaints, especially considering what the other option is. No, I think I’ll hang around and discover pearls along the way. 




There was an interesting discussion the other day on one of my loops about unusual places a writer might write in order to get anything done. Me? I’m perfectly happy with writing at home … so long at its about 4:30 in the morning and no one else is around. I get a lot of work done at that insane hour. During the summer I’ve been known to take the laptop outside and work on the patio once it gets a little dark. That doesn’t last long since the mosquitos tend to get vicious when the sun goes down. Still, it’s a nice change of scenery.
We're starting off March with award-winning Donna Alward on March 4th. Donna's Harlequin Romance, HER LONE COWBOY, is out this month. Her Samhain book, SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, will be available in April. Sourcebook author, Marie Force, will be our guest blogger on March 11th. Marie recently sold her romantic suspense, Fatal Affair, to Carina. She'll be sharing how this sale makes for a great perseverance story. On March 18th, we have the fabulous Erica Hayes as our guest blogger. Erica's latest urban fantasy - set in the world of a troubled fairy and the squalid underworld of the Shadowfae - SHADOWGLASS , was released on March 3rd by St. Martin's Press. Then don't miss Laura Resnick's blog on March 25th. The prolific award-winning writer gives fabulous career advice on The Things You Can Choose. Her newest release, DOPPELGANGSTER, combines urban fantasy, romance, comedy, and mystery.



