By the time you read this, the latest story should be winging it’s way to the tasteful editor’s virtual inbox. But, as I write to you, I’m still polishing it. I have two chapters to go, before a formatting pass and a final spell and grammar check. When those are complete, it’s down to crafting a cover letter and cleaning up the synopsis.
The story has been unusually clean–and that makes me nervous. Am I missing something or is this one really smooth and well written?
I’ll keep you posted….
For reasons that elude me, the only time the story fills my head is when I’m not at the computer.
Taking a shower, trying to go to sleep, or walking the dog–that’s when the characters start talking and the story starts running like a newsflash in my mind. As soon as I can grab pen and paper, I scribble indecipherable notes. Sometimes this works. And next session I type furiously. Other times I squint at the scratch marks, turning the scrap of paper this way and that and still draw a complete blank.
I’ve got the cure–step into the shower, walk down the hill, or start scrubbing something. Once I’m thoroughly engaged away from the office the words flow like a Spring flood.
Actually, I shouldn’t complain–this way the dog gets walked, I get clean, and chores get done. If the stories ran steadily I’d get carpel tunnel syndrome or computer eye or some other affliction that strikes obsessed writers.
Feel free to sympathize.
The longer I write erotic romance, the more I’m convinced that it is all about the characters. Even the most compelling conflicts are character based. The tenderest romances are character based. And of course, the hottest sex scenes are character driven. Because it’s not about who’s doing what to whom–it’s about caring, otherwise why would we keep turning pages?
Like all writers, I was a passionate reader first and still am. Recently, I’ve read two different favorite authors. One I adore for her contemporary fiction, the other for her historical romances. Both of them write engaging women. The kind of heroines who you admire and would want for a friend. There heroes are, naturally enough, heroic–the very essences of feminine fantasy, but not nearly so real as their heroines.
These talented writers are quick to show the heroine’s honor and bravery, but their men lack a feminine side. Maybe this is just me, admittedly I do like the heroes best, especially when they’re well done. And I am a greedy, want it all kind of reader.
This brings me to my question–do we want real men in a romance?
Speaking just for myself, yes. But, it’s a qualified yes. I want real men the same way I want real women in stories. I want them to be believable, but a bit better than real life, a bit more consistent, and a bit quicker to do the right thing.
How much realism do you want in your romance?
Have to finish writing it first. But, it all starts with the blurb….
Damien, the exclusive resort’s masseur is the answer to Rhianna’s overheated fantasies. Except for him being fourteen years younger–barely legal. When his masterful touch unleashes her passion, will her heart survive?
So what do you all think–dangerously sexy?
I grew up with an intimidating father, who happened to be an excellent natural speller. One of his fond sayings was, “If a man could spell every word in the English language correctly, I would wonder why he’d wasted his life.”
When he would say this, I would smile and silently congratulate myself on a well spent life.
Many years and classes passed unhampered by my less that perfect spelling. Then I went to work for a man, who spelled even better than my father Furthermore, he regarded anyone, who was so slovenly as to make spelling errors an example of a poor education and poor character.
Naturally, I adored my shiny new boss, wanted to impress him, and wanted my lovely paychecks to continue. I became a fervent spell checker, stayed employed, and learned a slew of new skills.
Despite all this diligence on my part, to this day there are words that give me trouble.
Affect/effect–Affect the verb may mean to move, influence, or pretend. Affect the noun refers to the emotion or mood associated with an action or an idea, such as he displayed a blunted affect. In contrast, effect also can be a noun or a verb. As a noun it may mean the result of influence, the power to influence, being in force, belongings, and so forth. The dictionary rattles on with more possible definitions. When used as a verb it may mean do or make. Such as ‘to effect an escape.’ Honestly, even after pouring over the definitions I wind up trusting my ear.
Callous/callus–the former refers to hard-hearted behavior, the latter to thickened skin. The problem with this pair is simply why do we need to different spellings of the same word with closely related definitions? Troublesome indeed.
Flaunt/flout–flaunt is to show off, flout is to rebel. Thus one could flout convention, never flaunt it. And yet, I’ve read them misused frequently enough to make me repeatedly question my understanding.
lay/lie(set)/lie(fib)–technically three words. But, since two of them are spelled identically I’m treating the trio as a troublesome pair. Why should I be more logical than the language? There are twenty-one definitions for the verb lay in my small dictionary, to say nothing of the noun. Personally, I think little words are often underrated, regarding their difficulty factor.
Meretricious/meritorious–sounding and spelling are distinctive. Definitions are close to antonyms and yet they are misused quite flagrantly. Keep that dictionary handy.
Wreak/wreck–one wreaks havoc and wrecks cars. Again, why do we need two different words? Why can’t one wreck havoc? No, of course not, I’ve been thoroughly brainwashed. Havoc must continue to the wreaked. Clearly, nothing else would suffice.
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