The last few weeks I’ve seen the same commercial for Southern Belles: Louisville over and over again. One of the “belles” announces that someone asked her if they wear shoes in Kentucky. Her answer was “Yes, we do. We wear stilettos.” LOL!
And I'm not sure how my dad met a professor from a small college in California, but the man came to visit him for a few days. My dad lives in a little town north of Huntsville, Alabama, called Ardmore. It’s not large, but it’s a nice place and typical of a small town in the south. Well, dad was doing his usual barbecuing on the grill for company and needed to pick up something at the store. So the man decided to tag along to the nearby Piggly Wiggly. As they were walking down the aisle, the man said, “Wow, your grocery store is like mine at home.” Duh!
Those two stories are typical what we come across everyday. Since I love to travel, especially in the U.S., I meet a lot of people who have never been to Alabama and I’m always surprised by a few of their questions. A large number of people believe everything they hear and see on television and in the movies. So when a southern author writes about their home state or the South in general, it’s amazing how editors and judges in contests show the same misconceptions.
And don’t get me started on the misconceptions non-literary people have about romance writers.
What about writers? We’re human, but thankfully, most writers love meeting people from all backgrounds, educations, shapes and sizes. We love watching them and talking with them. To me, writers, especially romance writers, are the most open-minded people I know. If not, their writing will suffer. I believe some experience writer’s block by closing themselves off from experiencing new things and meeting new people. We’re all unique and that’s why I like meeting people wherever I go.
It’s amazing world, isn’t it?
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
No More Thank-You-Buts
JoAnn's sunning on the beach and asked me to post this for her...
Like a lot of Southern mothers, my mom raised me to be modest in speech. When someone complimented me, the proper response was a simple “thank you.”
But as I got older, that “thank you” acquired an ugly appendage of self-disparagement. If someone told me they liked my haircut, I would say “Thank you. But I think it makes me look a lot older.” If someone complimented my attire, I would say “Thank you. I know it makes me look fat, but it sure is comfortable.” If someone complimented my cooking (a rare occurrence, to be sure), I would say “Thank you. But I cooked it too long and I should have added more butter.”
Last year at a conference, a well-known author introduced me to her agent. The writer said “JoAnn’s been burning up the contest finals lately.” My response? “Thank you. But I just don’t tell anybody about all the contests that I don’t final in.” The lovely smile on the agent’s face faded quickly.
So I’m adopting a new attitude. I’m going old-school. No more beating myself up. When someone compliments my writing, a simple “thank you” will do nicely. And if you see me take a breath to say something else, will you please clap your hand over my mouth?
Like a lot of Southern mothers, my mom raised me to be modest in speech. When someone complimented me, the proper response was a simple “thank you.”
But as I got older, that “thank you” acquired an ugly appendage of self-disparagement. If someone told me they liked my haircut, I would say “Thank you. But I think it makes me look a lot older.” If someone complimented my attire, I would say “Thank you. I know it makes me look fat, but it sure is comfortable.” If someone complimented my cooking (a rare occurrence, to be sure), I would say “Thank you. But I cooked it too long and I should have added more butter.”
Last year at a conference, a well-known author introduced me to her agent. The writer said “JoAnn’s been burning up the contest finals lately.” My response? “Thank you. But I just don’t tell anybody about all the contests that I don’t final in.” The lovely smile on the agent’s face faded quickly.
So I’m adopting a new attitude. I’m going old-school. No more beating myself up. When someone compliments my writing, a simple “thank you” will do nicely. And if you see me take a breath to say something else, will you please clap your hand over my mouth?
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Why Do You Think They Call Them Deadlines??
My brother had a poster in his room for years. It had a buzzard sitting on a dead tree staring out over the desert and it said "Patience, hell! I'm going to kill something!"
I'm beginning to feel like that buzzard! I really want to have my third book finished by the time I leave for Nationals. That would be Tuesday, July 14th. Yeah, in less than ten days. I'm not going to tell you how many pages I have left to write. Suffice it to say that it is A LOT !!!
This all started when my agent asked if I could have said book finished by Nationals. She'd read the first 30 pages and loved it. Yes, I said 30 pages. Guess what? That's about all I had at that point - May 27th, to be exact. Yes, May 27th of THIS year!
I am not one of these people who can churn out 20 pages a day every day. I have HAD those days (notice the past tense.) I work a full-time job for Wal-Mart and they have begun to restructure so that department managers like myself may end up being over more than one department from now on. Restructuring is just another word for getting one mule to pull two plows. The mule doesn't like it much either!
So, here I sit trying my best to write as many pages as I can every day and I am FRUSTRATED!
How do you deal with a deadline? Does it make it easier or harder to write. Does it inspire you or make you freeze like a deer in the headlights? Are there any little tricks you use to convince yourself that the DEADline is no big deal and that you can just sit down and calmly work toward that DEADline without actually ending up DEAD??? Somebody PLEASE tell me how to do this without losing my mind, or at least losing more than I have already.
That buzzard's solution is starting to look better and better. Is there some way to COERCE your characters into talking to you when they just won't? Don't they understand I'm under a DEADline here????
I'm beginning to feel like that buzzard! I really want to have my third book finished by the time I leave for Nationals. That would be Tuesday, July 14th. Yeah, in less than ten days. I'm not going to tell you how many pages I have left to write. Suffice it to say that it is A LOT !!!
This all started when my agent asked if I could have said book finished by Nationals. She'd read the first 30 pages and loved it. Yes, I said 30 pages. Guess what? That's about all I had at that point - May 27th, to be exact. Yes, May 27th of THIS year!
I am not one of these people who can churn out 20 pages a day every day. I have HAD those days (notice the past tense.) I work a full-time job for Wal-Mart and they have begun to restructure so that department managers like myself may end up being over more than one department from now on. Restructuring is just another word for getting one mule to pull two plows. The mule doesn't like it much either!
So, here I sit trying my best to write as many pages as I can every day and I am FRUSTRATED!
How do you deal with a deadline? Does it make it easier or harder to write. Does it inspire you or make you freeze like a deer in the headlights? Are there any little tricks you use to convince yourself that the DEADline is no big deal and that you can just sit down and calmly work toward that DEADline without actually ending up DEAD??? Somebody PLEASE tell me how to do this without losing my mind, or at least losing more than I have already.
That buzzard's solution is starting to look better and better. Is there some way to COERCE your characters into talking to you when they just won't? Don't they understand I'm under a DEADline here????
Saturday, July 04, 2009
From Thought to Plot - August 22, 2009
Mary and Dianna will show you how to develop a budding idea BEFORE you begin to plot. This is not the 2 day Power Plotting retreat, but a brainstorming workshop where they will show you where a story and characters break down before you get to the point of plotting. The backbone of a strong story begins with developing these critical points in the early stages of brainstorming so that you aren't trying to "shore" up your story later. Most stories fall apart because once a writer has invested a significant amount of work in a story it's much harder to back up and make changes so they press ahead, shoving support wherever they can. For this reason, come to this workshop with a "NEW" idea you have not fully developed to the point where the idea of making any change is stressful. This workshop is to show you how to take ideas and spin them to be fresh and different, yet with a strong plot infrastructure.***Suggested movies to watch since these will be referenced during the workshop (plus, these are the movie examples used in the Break Into Fiction® book to keep continuity for those using the book to plot a novel):
PRETTY WOMAN, BOURNE IDENTITY, CASABLANCA, FINDING NEMO
The workshop will be held in meeting room 101 of the Homewood Public Library.
1721 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, AL 35209
Presented by Southern Magic, Birmingham chapter of the Romance Writers of America
Thursday, July 02, 2009
The Mark of a True Friend
The other day I met a friend for coffee. That day I took more from the friendship than I gave. I spent our entire time together moaning about the fact that my not very mechanical husband had decided to change the air conditioning compressor on my truck. Did I mention that this was my truck--the first new vehicle I had ever purchased?
He didn't ask me if I wanted him to do it. He just stated he was going to be doing it the day I was away at our chapter meeting. In shock, I didn't express my reservations about this announcement for fear of emasculating his budding macho self.
I felt real physical pain as I watched him take the grill off my "baby" and it slipped towards the pavement. I can only describe the anguished moan that escaped my lips, as akin to that of a mother bear with her foot caught in a trap. Nothing good could come of this I told myself morosely. During the day, the progress reports proved me correct.
Again, I called my friend for support and encouragement. We discussed what was more important--the truck or the husband. It was a close call, but the husband won. Barely, but he won. As we hung up she realized I was still upset. Her parting words showed she was a true friend. She brightly offered, "I'll help you hide the body if you kill him." This, is the mark of a true friend. I think I'll keep her, the husband and my truck with the fixed air conditioner. I am a lucky woman!
He didn't ask me if I wanted him to do it. He just stated he was going to be doing it the day I was away at our chapter meeting. In shock, I didn't express my reservations about this announcement for fear of emasculating his budding macho self.
I felt real physical pain as I watched him take the grill off my "baby" and it slipped towards the pavement. I can only describe the anguished moan that escaped my lips, as akin to that of a mother bear with her foot caught in a trap. Nothing good could come of this I told myself morosely. During the day, the progress reports proved me correct.
Again, I called my friend for support and encouragement. We discussed what was more important--the truck or the husband. It was a close call, but the husband won. Barely, but he won. As we hung up she realized I was still upset. Her parting words showed she was a true friend. She brightly offered, "I'll help you hide the body if you kill him." This, is the mark of a true friend. I think I'll keep her, the husband and my truck with the fixed air conditioner. I am a lucky woman!
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Cucumbers and Dreams
It all started with a cucumber.
From that moment, a love affair that would endure for the next twenty-plus years was born. That cucumber's name was Fred and he changed my life. You see, Fred was the main character in the first book I ever wrote when I was in the third grade.
Ask any writer and they will most likely remember the first story, article or book they wrote. It was the turning point for most. It's when we discovered our love for creating characters, placing them in tight situations only to battle their way out and discover their happily-ever-after.
Okay, so Fred's struggle was finding his way to the store to buy a book. But, I remember shaping Fred and his desire for this book and how he couldn't buy it because he was afraid to walk to the store by himself. He struggled with his fear--of crossing the street alone for the first time, of being independent and braving something he'd never attempted before. Finally, Fred conquered his fear, or rather he moved forward in spite of it, left the security of his home and travelled to that bookstore. He not only obtained the book, but he discovered the courage to do anything he put his mind to. Riveting stuff, I know, and with twenty years distance, that story seems so much deeper now than it did at nine. But, it stirred something that exists even today.
The love of the story. Of drawing the emotional struggle we often experience when faced with obstacles that seem insurmountable. And, of course, celebrating the triumph of the human--or vegetable--spirit.
I'll never forget Fred, who unfortunately looked more like an amoeba than a cucumber by the time I finished drawing him. While the thought of being an illustrator died a quick death, my dream of being a writer never did. He will always hold a place of honor in my heart and the actual book will always have a home in a dusty corner at the bottom of a deep trunk in the back of a dark closet...
From that moment, a love affair that would endure for the next twenty-plus years was born. That cucumber's name was Fred and he changed my life. You see, Fred was the main character in the first book I ever wrote when I was in the third grade.
Ask any writer and they will most likely remember the first story, article or book they wrote. It was the turning point for most. It's when we discovered our love for creating characters, placing them in tight situations only to battle their way out and discover their happily-ever-after.
Okay, so Fred's struggle was finding his way to the store to buy a book. But, I remember shaping Fred and his desire for this book and how he couldn't buy it because he was afraid to walk to the store by himself. He struggled with his fear--of crossing the street alone for the first time, of being independent and braving something he'd never attempted before. Finally, Fred conquered his fear, or rather he moved forward in spite of it, left the security of his home and travelled to that bookstore. He not only obtained the book, but he discovered the courage to do anything he put his mind to. Riveting stuff, I know, and with twenty years distance, that story seems so much deeper now than it did at nine. But, it stirred something that exists even today.
The love of the story. Of drawing the emotional struggle we often experience when faced with obstacles that seem insurmountable. And, of course, celebrating the triumph of the human--or vegetable--spirit.
I'll never forget Fred, who unfortunately looked more like an amoeba than a cucumber by the time I finished drawing him. While the thought of being an illustrator died a quick death, my dream of being a writer never did. He will always hold a place of honor in my heart and the actual book will always have a home in a dusty corner at the bottom of a deep trunk in the back of a dark closet...
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Conference Crazies and Pitch Panic
There have been a lot of posts about the RWA Conference on LOOPS and blogs for writers. And I have inhaled them--eager to sniff out any news about what to expect.
Now, I know DC. That's covered. I hope--I even have a car and driver to haul me to WEGMANS grocery store for survival food supplies. I know cool restaurants I want to revisit (budget be .... I am eating at the Lebanese Taverna) to eat in. And I am very excited about the workshops, PRO retreat, editor/agent appointments, and meeting new writing friends.
But I am very freaked about my clothes--what to wear!? On a budget? And my appointments. What if I stumble and fall? What if my tongue swells? What if I hyperventilate? But I am going to attend regardless of my fears.
Because this is my chance. Not just to pitch to my dream agent and editor, but to meet other writers and bond. I want to soak up everything I can while I am at this conference. I want to take it all in and come away from this with an armful of knowledge about my favorite subject.
And in all of my preparations, I've learned something about my books. Instead of tearing each word apart, each critique apart, and each contest "yes or no" apart, I revisited my original dream sfor my heroes and heroines.
I remembered the reason they spoke to me and the reasons they came together. I remembered the joy they discovered when they realized their love for each other. I remembered their hurt, deep and wounding, when they believed in the betrayals, and I remembered the fun I had writing about their adventures.
And if that is the best thing I gain out of this conference craziness and pitch panic, then it is all worth the expense, the packing panic, and the long hours driving to DC.
For it is in the writing that I am free.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Nothing into Something
I am at a loss.
I am staring at this blank page and all those marvelous ideas have gone out the window. You know the one's-- the witty little comments and observations that rattle through your head? Of course, once your deadline is here they are gone.
Normally, I jot an idea or two down. For some reason I have nothing.
So, I am going to write about nothing and how to find something.
There is something quite intimidating about the blank page, at least when you have only a glimmer of an idea and no actual idea of how to write it. Makes you want to go hide doesn't it?
This blankness reminds me largely about plotting, and working on the story. Everyone hits that wall where you have no earthly idea of what direction you are going in or how to take the next step. Usually, I go work out then. It can be something as simple as a walk, or I do something more intense like weight lifting, or an aerobic activity. As I let my mind wander and relax sometimes something will occur in and an idea will surface.
Driving helps too.
I also enjoy talking it out with someone. In actuality, I prefer working on someone else's plot. For some reason looking for a solution for someone else frees something in my head that usually leads to an idea. If I combine it with swimming or walking while talking it is even better!
It's funny, but writing is a lot like being superstitious, we all have our certain ways of doing things, rituals that we turn to when we are lost about where our story is or how to begin.
Just like this Blog, I had NO idea what I was going to write about...but here it is! Something from Nothing!
So, what rituals do you use to get ideas to form in your head and help your story?
I am staring at this blank page and all those marvelous ideas have gone out the window. You know the one's-- the witty little comments and observations that rattle through your head? Of course, once your deadline is here they are gone.
Normally, I jot an idea or two down. For some reason I have nothing.
So, I am going to write about nothing and how to find something.
There is something quite intimidating about the blank page, at least when you have only a glimmer of an idea and no actual idea of how to write it. Makes you want to go hide doesn't it?
This blankness reminds me largely about plotting, and working on the story. Everyone hits that wall where you have no earthly idea of what direction you are going in or how to take the next step. Usually, I go work out then. It can be something as simple as a walk, or I do something more intense like weight lifting, or an aerobic activity. As I let my mind wander and relax sometimes something will occur in and an idea will surface.
Driving helps too.
I also enjoy talking it out with someone. In actuality, I prefer working on someone else's plot. For some reason looking for a solution for someone else frees something in my head that usually leads to an idea. If I combine it with swimming or walking while talking it is even better!
It's funny, but writing is a lot like being superstitious, we all have our certain ways of doing things, rituals that we turn to when we are lost about where our story is or how to begin.
Just like this Blog, I had NO idea what I was going to write about...but here it is! Something from Nothing!
So, what rituals do you use to get ideas to form in your head and help your story?
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Life to Fiction
People sometimes ask me if I draw from real life for my stories. My answer is always the same. Yes and no. I’ll put a character through similar things I’ve survived, but I won’t rewrite actual events in my life, mostly because it’s too emotionally taxing.
What about you? Is it all fiction or do you write from personal experiences?
What about you? Is it all fiction or do you write from personal experiences?
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Heroes
I've been thinking about heroes lately. Not the kind of heroes who rescue puppies, but the heroes who populate our books (not that they can't also rescue puppies!). Romance heroes. All of us who write have a type of hero we like. I don't know why, but I *love* a wounded hero. I write wounded heroes. And I know they won't resonate with all readers.
Some readers really don't like the hard alpha who hides his hurt beneath a veneer of prickliness. Some readers think this hero is just mean. I try to understand that, but the truth is that I really don't. When the hero is well motivated, I just want to hug him and tell him it's okay. I want to tell him that I know he's not really bad, and that the heroine knows it too, and that he'll find it out soon enough.
If you've read J.R. Ward, for example, you probably either loved or hated Zsadist. He appeared on scene in the first book as the baddest, evilest vampire of all the Brothers. None of the Brothers understood or trusted him. And yet my heart melted. He excited me and intrigued me. When he got his book (Lover Awakened), I couldn't sleep or eat or do anything but read it to the end. I absolutely bawled at his happy ending. OMG, that was a hero I could love.
And now I write for Harlequin Presents, that line known around the world for having the unapproachable alpha male. The tycoon. The self-made man who is in control and in command. I love him. Obviously, or I wouldn't be writing these books.
I don't think he's mean or evil. I think he's closed off emotionally, and the heroine is the only person in the world who can get through. This man is going to fight her because he doesn't want to feel. He's tried feeling before, and he got hurt in some way. His answer is not to feel.
This makes me all gooey inside. I don't know why. My husband is the nicest, sweetest man imaginable. He's not unapproachable. He would never dream of forcing me to marry him (if we weren't already) or blackmailing me or getting revenge on me.
And yet I write hardened alphas who do all these things. Before I was published, when I was still writing suspense, I wrote hardened alpha military guys. These are the men I love, whether they wear BDUs or Armani suits. I won't apologize for it, and I won't water them down when writing. They are who they are.
What kind of heroes do you like to read? What kind do you write? Have you ever been tempted to change your hero (or even your heroine) to be what you thought people wanted?
Some readers really don't like the hard alpha who hides his hurt beneath a veneer of prickliness. Some readers think this hero is just mean. I try to understand that, but the truth is that I really don't. When the hero is well motivated, I just want to hug him and tell him it's okay. I want to tell him that I know he's not really bad, and that the heroine knows it too, and that he'll find it out soon enough.
If you've read J.R. Ward, for example, you probably either loved or hated Zsadist. He appeared on scene in the first book as the baddest, evilest vampire of all the Brothers. None of the Brothers understood or trusted him. And yet my heart melted. He excited me and intrigued me. When he got his book (Lover Awakened), I couldn't sleep or eat or do anything but read it to the end. I absolutely bawled at his happy ending. OMG, that was a hero I could love.
And now I write for Harlequin Presents, that line known around the world for having the unapproachable alpha male. The tycoon. The self-made man who is in control and in command. I love him. Obviously, or I wouldn't be writing these books.
I don't think he's mean or evil. I think he's closed off emotionally, and the heroine is the only person in the world who can get through. This man is going to fight her because he doesn't want to feel. He's tried feeling before, and he got hurt in some way. His answer is not to feel.
This makes me all gooey inside. I don't know why. My husband is the nicest, sweetest man imaginable. He's not unapproachable. He would never dream of forcing me to marry him (if we weren't already) or blackmailing me or getting revenge on me.
And yet I write hardened alphas who do all these things. Before I was published, when I was still writing suspense, I wrote hardened alpha military guys. These are the men I love, whether they wear BDUs or Armani suits. I won't apologize for it, and I won't water them down when writing. They are who they are.
What kind of heroes do you like to read? What kind do you write? Have you ever been tempted to change your hero (or even your heroine) to be what you thought people wanted?
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Passion and Obsession
Dictionary.com describes passion under number six as a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything: a passion for music. While obsession under number one is the domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc.
I was thinking of this the other day when I was listening to Michael Bolton’s MY SECRET PASSION. His passion is opera. I don’t know a lot about opera but I do know because of his CD I’ve come to love it very much and have since bought a couple more opera CD’s. But they’re not my passion.
My passion is for books. As soon as I could read, I read anything with horses in them. So I read all the typical horse books (BLACK BEAUTY, KING OF THE WIND, FLICKER) and moved on to cowboys and their pintos, and finally knights and their steeds. Then I discovered romances. My passion bloomed and grew larger.
Before I knew it, my passion turned into an obsession. I started writing and now I eat, drink and live writing. If I were to lose the ability to write or read, I know I would roll up in a ball and die. I love how you can read a book and laugh, cry, be afraid, and turned on (though rarely all at the same time). I want my books to affect people like that. I love how one sentence can make you feel good all day by simply thinking of a few words. I’m amazed by how I can type one word after another until I have a complete book with living breathing people whose lives I’ve shaped into a plot and the-way-life-should-be HEA.
I hope and pray one day soon my obsession turns into a published book and people find their passion in reading it and the others I write. Oh, yeah, I'm passionately obsessed.
I was thinking of this the other day when I was listening to Michael Bolton’s MY SECRET PASSION. His passion is opera. I don’t know a lot about opera but I do know because of his CD I’ve come to love it very much and have since bought a couple more opera CD’s. But they’re not my passion.
My passion is for books. As soon as I could read, I read anything with horses in them. So I read all the typical horse books (BLACK BEAUTY, KING OF THE WIND, FLICKER) and moved on to cowboys and their pintos, and finally knights and their steeds. Then I discovered romances. My passion bloomed and grew larger.
Before I knew it, my passion turned into an obsession. I started writing and now I eat, drink and live writing. If I were to lose the ability to write or read, I know I would roll up in a ball and die. I love how you can read a book and laugh, cry, be afraid, and turned on (though rarely all at the same time). I want my books to affect people like that. I love how one sentence can make you feel good all day by simply thinking of a few words. I’m amazed by how I can type one word after another until I have a complete book with living breathing people whose lives I’ve shaped into a plot and the-way-life-should-be HEA.
I hope and pray one day soon my obsession turns into a published book and people find their passion in reading it and the others I write. Oh, yeah, I'm passionately obsessed.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Pop, Dad, Daddy, Papa, Father, Padre...
Okay, with today being the day to honor dads of all shapes and sizes, I have just one question: Who is your favorite fictional father figure?
From TV, my hands-down favorite is Andy Taylor, from The Andy Griffith Show.
I haven't read a lot of books with strong father figures in them -- the books I gravitate toward tend to be child-free.
But I'm open to suggestions and recommendations.
And Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there who support their daughters and wives in their writing careers.
:-)
From TV, my hands-down favorite is Andy Taylor, from The Andy Griffith Show.
I haven't read a lot of books with strong father figures in them -- the books I gravitate toward tend to be child-free.
But I'm open to suggestions and recommendations.
And Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there who support their daughters and wives in their writing careers.
:-)
Friday, June 19, 2009
Quirks, Phobias and Eccentrics, OH MY !!!
I have a deathly fear of fire. Really. I have a fireplace in my house and I use it. I frequently burn leaves in my yard. Doesn't matter. I still have an incredible fear of being trapped in a building that is on fire. Not just your average "That makes sense. Fire can kill you." sort of way. If Mrs. O'Leary had had the number of fire extinguishers in her barn that I have in my 14 x 80 foot trailer Chicago would NEVER have burned. Trust me.
I'm trying to decide if that's a phobia or just a quirk. When does a quirk become a phobia and at what point does it become downright eccentric. I take that back. I don't fit the criteria to be eccentric. If you're odd and you're poor, you're just plain crazy. If you're odd and you're rich, you're eccentric. Hey, I don't make the rules. So, am I crazy? I would LIKE to be eccentric one day.
What does this have to do with writing? I just wondered if any of you have or have thought about creating characters with phobias, quirks or eccentricities. And I'm speaking in terms of heroes for the most part. Women expect other women to have phobias, quirks and eccentricities. We women are accepting like that. We realize that with all of the intellectual gifts and talents we have we're just too accomplished and grounded NOT to have a few oddities about us.
Now in our heroes, on the other hand, I think we often expect perfection - physical perfection and intellectual perfection. And we want all of their emotional imperfections to be all about how they relate to women. That way we can show off some of those female talents and fix all of those emotional imperfections which will result in our getting the hero, or rather in our heroines getting the hero. You get the picture.
I just wondered if any of you have ever written a hero with a phobia or quirk that you didn't necessarily WANT to cure. Sometimes they can be quite endearing. Sometimes they can humanize these male gods we make of our heroes. I just happen to believe that it is the odd little flaws and quirks that make a man human (or a woman for that matter.)
I'm not afraid of snakes, having owned some rather large ones in my lifetime. In fact I'm not afraid of any reptiles, and yes, I've owned some pretty big lizards too. BUT, the hero of one of my books is DEATHLY afraid of snakes. Which makes it all the more fun when he falls for a young woman who is doing research on the possible uses for cobra venom. (Did you know research was being done on this very thing as early as 1802 with regard to the ability of the venom to cause blood to clot? Cool stuff for a Regency historical author to know.) Does my hero's phobia make him less macho? I don't think so.
But it doesn't just have to be phobias. How about a little OCD thing the hero does that most of his friends find funny, but our heroine finds it fascinating? Have you ever used something like this. Do you think it works or does it make the hero less heroic? (My late husband could not stand for his food to touch on the plate. For our everyday china I picked the pattern with the biggest plates I could find. I still have the dishes and when I use them it makes me smile because for a minute he's there with me saying "Did I tell you how much I love these dishes?" Yes, Roger. You told me.)
So, how about it writers? What do you think? And what about you personally? Any phobias out there? Any quirks? Any eccentricities? We Southern gals know all about eccentrics! In the South you don't ask if there is insanity in the family. You just ask which side its on!!
I'm trying to decide if that's a phobia or just a quirk. When does a quirk become a phobia and at what point does it become downright eccentric. I take that back. I don't fit the criteria to be eccentric. If you're odd and you're poor, you're just plain crazy. If you're odd and you're rich, you're eccentric. Hey, I don't make the rules. So, am I crazy? I would LIKE to be eccentric one day.
What does this have to do with writing? I just wondered if any of you have or have thought about creating characters with phobias, quirks or eccentricities. And I'm speaking in terms of heroes for the most part. Women expect other women to have phobias, quirks and eccentricities. We women are accepting like that. We realize that with all of the intellectual gifts and talents we have we're just too accomplished and grounded NOT to have a few oddities about us.
Now in our heroes, on the other hand, I think we often expect perfection - physical perfection and intellectual perfection. And we want all of their emotional imperfections to be all about how they relate to women. That way we can show off some of those female talents and fix all of those emotional imperfections which will result in our getting the hero, or rather in our heroines getting the hero. You get the picture.
I just wondered if any of you have ever written a hero with a phobia or quirk that you didn't necessarily WANT to cure. Sometimes they can be quite endearing. Sometimes they can humanize these male gods we make of our heroes. I just happen to believe that it is the odd little flaws and quirks that make a man human (or a woman for that matter.)
I'm not afraid of snakes, having owned some rather large ones in my lifetime. In fact I'm not afraid of any reptiles, and yes, I've owned some pretty big lizards too. BUT, the hero of one of my books is DEATHLY afraid of snakes. Which makes it all the more fun when he falls for a young woman who is doing research on the possible uses for cobra venom. (Did you know research was being done on this very thing as early as 1802 with regard to the ability of the venom to cause blood to clot? Cool stuff for a Regency historical author to know.) Does my hero's phobia make him less macho? I don't think so.
But it doesn't just have to be phobias. How about a little OCD thing the hero does that most of his friends find funny, but our heroine finds it fascinating? Have you ever used something like this. Do you think it works or does it make the hero less heroic? (My late husband could not stand for his food to touch on the plate. For our everyday china I picked the pattern with the biggest plates I could find. I still have the dishes and when I use them it makes me smile because for a minute he's there with me saying "Did I tell you how much I love these dishes?" Yes, Roger. You told me.)
So, how about it writers? What do you think? And what about you personally? Any phobias out there? Any quirks? Any eccentricities? We Southern gals know all about eccentrics! In the South you don't ask if there is insanity in the family. You just ask which side its on!!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Covers for New Trilogy
Hi Everyone, hope you don't mind me popping in and showing my new covers. I'm so excited about them, I couldn't wait to share. What do you think?
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Fantasy vs. Reality
Today I had a good session working on my manuscript. Some days it isn't as easy and I struggle to get my self-imposed two page minimum down on paper before the demands of my "other life" take over. Like most beginning writers, I juggle a paying job, a family and a home. It is sometimes stressful but I remind myself that the stress is self-imposed and I should enjoy each step of the way.
When I first began writing, my fantasy had me sitting at a well appointed desk, situated by a large window with a great view, coffee cup at hand and a sleepy tom cat curled up in a corner of the desk, purring.
Three years later, I am sitting in my basement office, at my ten dollar desk, it's too hot for coffee and the tom cat purring on the desk is simultaneously attempting to turn my desk calendar into confetti. Did I mention that the only window I can see out of is six inches by two feet and it is above and behind me? The reality of writing is not always what we had first envisioned but when you have a good day at the computer, all the rest just doesn't matter.
How did your romantic view of your journey as a writer change once you actually began the process? Do you have the perfect set up or is your writing area less than perfect? Does it affect your ability to write?
When I first began writing, my fantasy had me sitting at a well appointed desk, situated by a large window with a great view, coffee cup at hand and a sleepy tom cat curled up in a corner of the desk, purring.
Three years later, I am sitting in my basement office, at my ten dollar desk, it's too hot for coffee and the tom cat purring on the desk is simultaneously attempting to turn my desk calendar into confetti. Did I mention that the only window I can see out of is six inches by two feet and it is above and behind me? The reality of writing is not always what we had first envisioned but when you have a good day at the computer, all the rest just doesn't matter.
How did your romantic view of your journey as a writer change once you actually began the process? Do you have the perfect set up or is your writing area less than perfect? Does it affect your ability to write?
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