Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it. Happy Holidays to everyone!

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

3T Writing Tidbit

Conflicts. Stories are all about em. But an early writing seminar I attended claimed there's one conflict romances can't have--the romance itself.

I still don't understand that. I think it's something to do with, "They want each other. So she'll have him, and he'll have her." End of story. Or rather, no story.

But there is one thing I do understand. The main question in romance is "Why can't we be together?"

It took me years to codify, but there are four groups of reasons. You're welcome to comment if I've missed one.

Why can't we be together?

  • Her problem.
  • His problem.
  • A couple problem.
  • A problem outside the couple.

How about some simple examples?

Why can't we be together?

Her problem: She was burned by Mr. Wrong cheating on her, so she doesn't trust Mr. Right when he comes along.

His problem: He's from the rough side of town and doesn't think he's good enough for a classy woman like her.

A couple problem: They're pretending to be married, but they aren't.

A problem outside the couple: Her father follows him around with a shotgun.

These are pretty stock situations, You'd have to dress them up with something new to actually use them. (For example, with the couple problem: They're pretending to be married, but they aren't. The only person who knows is their mutual best friend Frieda who is also the only person who believes these two are perfect for each other. Every chance she can, Frieda snarks at the "married" couple, how romantic they look together, how the husband got her ring exactly right, how the wife actually thinks his jokes are funny, etc.)


Published since 2009, over the years I've accumulated various items of writing wisdom. The Third Tuesday Writing Tidbit showcases these items in no particular order. Click here to see all 3T Tidbits

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

2T Repeat Performance

In December 2016, the lovely Magical Musings crew decided it was time to close down their blogging shop. I had three wonderful years with them. This is another of those posts.

photo credit:
USPS Ford Cargo
via 
photopin 
(license)
Neither Rain Nor Sleet...--originally posted July 22, 2015.


Working on an edit deadline, I decided to wait until I had the time to properly put together a post for today. I even had a topic, I just wanted to have a clear schedule to find the right words.

Then I got sick. Not bad, but my throat and stomach are not very happy with me right now and I'm soooo sleepy.

But as any entertainer knows, the Post Must Go On. Or, as is inscribed in the James Farley Post Office in New York City (and it turns out is a lot older than that):
Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.

(From Wikipedia)
It reminds me of the book I'm releasing in September. A complete re-edit of the first novel I completed, Hot Chips and Sand rose out of my struggle to be both mother and successful career woman. Its a romantic comedy, but in it, I explore what it means to be a professional.

Some things have changed in the years since I first wrote the book. We no longer have stewardesses and the pile of greenbar reports I had my heroine tumble off the desk to distract the hero are so last century. But one thing that hasn't changed is the struggle to be professional in one's career. Is it dress for success? Being hungry to reach the top? Working eighty hour weeks?

I don't know. That's the lovely thing about a novel: I get to explore many of these from different points of view. But as far as being sick and still having to work, my hero sums it up nicely. "The client says, 'How are you today'? And you say, 'Not so good. But what can I do for you anyway?'"

Neither rain nor snow nor throat of sore can keep me from my appointed posts :)

More on Hot Chips and Sand coming soon, but I'm thrilled to share this gorgeous cover by EJR Digital Art!

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

1T Status Update

Happy December!

Winding down the semester means winding up the projects. I'm hip-deep in schoolwork, good for my website, bad for writing.

I've been mentally working on Soul Mates, however. Some juicy twists coming. Once this semester ends, I'll have several weeks of straight writing. I'm also going to ask when second round edits for Night's Kiss are coming. Hopefully they won't collide with New Years.

If you haven't seen it, there's a special currently going on Hunt Mates. "Tired of the same old paranormal story? Love magic and mystery, humor and heart, steamy shifters and witty wizards? Give Hunt Mates a try." Check it out at your favorite store.