Tuesday, April 19, 2022

3T Writing Tidbit

As I was learning the craft of writing, sometimes I got a little confused about the proper way to do things. Here are a couple rules of thumb I picked up. As with any rule of thumb, this is a guide, not a set of commandments.

  • On paragraphing: A description of him from her perspective belongs in her paragraph.
  • On placement of adverbs: -ly word goes with its verb. It suddenly flared, not suddenly it flared.
  • Act II belongs to the villain.
  • The inciting incident has the climax embedded in it.

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, April 12, 2022

2T Repeat Performance -- Meet Electricity

I've done a number of blog tours over the years, posting on different sites. Now I'm bringing them to you!

Originally published May 11, 2011 for Vivi Andrews

Meet Electricity

Boy meets girl. That first collision of eyes, the first sucked breath of recognition. That tingle of awareness that signals an unexpected attraction. Or zap, if it's really strong.

I love the electricity of the first meet. So I always include it in my stories, usually with a twist (because that's just how I am :) Here are three.

Biting Me Softly
(“I” is Liese, a computer programmer)
When I first clapped eyes on Logan, I thought, Hot damn. Look what the Sex Fairy brung me!

It was eight p.m. Sunday night. I don’t know what made me look up. The cool March air, perhaps. Maybe the aroma wafting in, mystery and magic with overtones of raw sex.

Whatever it was, my eyes lifted and there he was, the most stunning male I’d ever seen. Smack-me-between-the-eyes gorgeous. Bright blond hair rippled to broad, muscular shoulders. Lean strength roped a long, lithe body. Laughter and intelligence sparked gold-flecked hazel eyes. Perfect lips curved in a smile so sensuous it made my innards go bang.

Then he opened his mouth and spoke. Talk about ruining perfection.

“Hello, gorgeous.” His tone was deep and lazy. “I want to speak to the computer man in charge.”

Right. Well that just spoiled everything, didn’t it?

Biting Nixie (“I” is Nixie, a 5-foot-zero punk rocker)
Schleck’s face went red as a stoplight. His hand jerked back—to hit me.  But no shedding bully-blood in the mayor’s office meant I would have to take it. I squeezed my eyes shut.

Nothing landed.

“I believe you’re out of line, sir.”

The voice was deep and cultured. The words resonated with an accent I couldn’t immediately place. Proud, almost aristocratic. I cautiously popped one eye open.

Strong, sure fingers held Schleck’s wrist in an unbreakable grip. The vice-principal’s face was white as he stared up. And up. I followed that stare, and—

Towering over us both was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. 

Bronzed skin. Black hair and brows. Outrageously long black eyelashes sweeping over laser-sharp blue eyes. Sensuous dark bronze mouth. A jaw made to run your fingers over. Lean muscular body with biteable shoulders and a flat waist. He made a Chippendale look like a cub scout.

Gorgeous Guy stared down at Schleck with cool contempt. Schleck, like bullies everywhere, cut and ran. Gorgeous Guy released the veep-creep as if he were slime.

Wow. Not only man-beautiful, but the guy oozed strength. No, more. Power. Power, the kind restrained by a tremendous will. I could have fallen in love. Could have, but not.

The guy was wearing a fucking three-piece suit. Vest and all. Seriously, had anyone worn those since the ancient eighties?

Bite My Fire (“I” is Elena, 5'9” and all cop)
I spun. Went for my gun. “Hold it right there…!”

My voice died in my throat. My XD pressed against the most amazing abs I’d ever seen. Washboard, eight-pack…whatever, licking those abs would be like tongue-surfing warm ocean waves.

A black tee stretched in all the right places over a torso ripped enough to star in 300. Bronzed cannon arms, dusted with blond hair, crossed over a battleship chest.

Very male. And very big. Viking big. With him, even my five-nine felt petite. I choked on a whimper as my eyes continued helplessly up.

Strong, corded neck. And his face…sweet Suzy’s Cream Cheesecakes. Warrior big and warrior gorgeous. Cheekbones cut from granite, arching blond brows, carved jaw. Thick wavy blond hair. Eyes the brilliant blue of the Mediterranean in summer. A fiercely beautiful face, the kind that jolts you in the gut.

But big, bad and yummy here was a stranger. Worse, he was wandering near a murder scene. Alone. By the Big Book of Police Rules, that made him a suspect.

Thanks so much to Vivi for having me here today!