The Next Big Thing

I've been invited by my friend, Tori Scott, to participate in the Next Big Thing blog series.

What is your working title of your book?

 
I'm currently working on two books, but the one that's almost done is titled: At Second Sight.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

The book is one of my series, The Sentinels. The idea came to me from a secondary character in my first Sentinels novel, Dream Walk. I knew Samantha Bays deserved to be a heroine in her own right -- she's smart; feisty; and has some unusual gifts. While contemplating her story, I discovered her hero: a graphic artist with the ability to draw the future.

What genre does your book fall under?

This novel is a paranormal romantic suspense, like the rest of the Sentinels stories.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I would cast Russel Wong as my hero, Nathan Toshio Quinn. I'd probably cast Amy Adams as my heroine, Samantha Bays. 

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

When Samantha's dream-lover walks into her life, they must unmask a serial killer before Samantha becomes the next victim.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I plan to submit it to Samhain Publishing, which published Dream Walk. We'll see what happens at that point. :)

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Let's just say, it's taken a while to get this far. But I've been working on other projects intermittently, including the Sentinel's novel, BROKEN, which I self-published.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Some recurring characters from my Sentinels series make an appearance in At Second Sight. You'll also get to meet some of Samantha's five brothers -- all of them who would make wonderful heroes in their own stories.  :)  I already have an idea brewing for her oldest brother, the good-looking homicide detective, Adam Bays.

To continue The Next Big Thing blog tour, visit A. Catherine Noon's Blog and see what she's working on. :)

My BROKEN inspiration...

This past week I released my second full-length paranormal romance, BROKEN.  It's my 'unofficial' second book in my series, The Sentinels. Unofficial, because I intend to market the rest of the stories with Samhain Publishing where the series first found a home.

BROKEN was a hard sell in many ways, the hardest being that it is actually a pre-quel. It occurs some time before its predecessor, DREAM WALK. Yes, there's method to my madness. While you can read them in any order, BROKEN does give away at least one important part of the first story. But it's also a story that needs to be told in order to understand an element that will crop up in the last two novels. :)

No. I'm not telling. You'll have to wait and read them to find out. ;)

Where did the story title come from? It originally had a different name, but I had to change that. I like to pick titles that have a double meaning, if I can. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't. With BROKEN, it worked beautifully. Both the hero and heroine are 'broken' spirits, particularly the hero. They find each other at a dark moment in life and then proceed to overcome obstacles -- internal and external -- with each other's help. Isn't that how relationships should be?

As with most of my books and short stories, this one has a very definite soundtrack and one all-encompassing theme song. Enjoy:

 

To read more, click on any of the above links. Or you can buy BROKEN (a Sentinels novel) now at Amazon.com , Barnes&Noble , or Smashwords.

 

~~Meg

My new enabler

My family gave me a Kindle for Christmas. I've been having so much fun! I haven't read this much in ages, even though I have plenty of books in the house. I also love the games.

I have found the Kindle is a wonderful device. Will I give up print books completely? Probably not. Those are still my first love. However, there are some great things about ebooks and having an actual reader.

1. Instant gratification. Want a book? Press a button, confirm, it's there. Wow. :)

2. Hides my tbr pile. No one complains about all the books taking up room on the table; dresser; desk; etc. No puzzled looks when I bring another one home and add it to the heap. They can't see what's on my Kindle. (hehe)

3. Discovering new authors and stories. This is my fave part of all! So many writers; so little time. I love being able to browse, read excerpts and reviews, and then buy a book I might not notice otherwise.

4. Cost, of course. I'm a thrifty person, aka cheap. I love free books. I love cheaper books. Yes, I'll pay more for a writer I know I love, but I'm a bit conservative with the unknowns out there. Ebooks are usually a less expensive way to take a chance on something/someone new.

Yeah, I really like my Kindle Touch. It's fun; it's a diversion; and it enables my reading addiction perfectly. ;)

~~Meg Allison

Indulge your senses...
www.megallisonauthor.com

A moment of clarity

I love those "Ah-ha!" moments. Suddenly, out of the blue, something that should have been obvious lights a bulb within the gray matter. In other words: I get it!

I get these insights every now and then. In one case, the meaning of something I had read many times over became more clear. It had a deeper meaning -- one I hadn't previously considered. In other cases, these moments involve how to do something more efficiently or effectively.

This clarity doesn't come with force or magic. It seems to come when I least expect.

For instance, I've been stuck -- good and stuck -- in a certain story. I know where it goes, but it doesn't 'sing'. Then I started to wonder about other stories I've published. Why is one more popular with readers than another? Obviously, the sub genre and plot are big factors. But there's one aspect I hadn't thought about in a while: Where should it start?

I believe something as simple as where you begin a story makes all the difference. But I've forgotten about that over time. I've let that notion take a backseat to figuring out the plot, motivation, and sequence of events. Not to mention the choreography of love and fight scenes.

Where you begin is almost as important as where you end a story. Most readers won't invest a lot of time in wading through paragraphs of description and back story to get to the meat of the piece. They want to jump into a novel with both feet and be completely drawn under.

So, there you have it. That may be part of the pull one book has over another -- particularly in these days of "click to look inside". It only takes seconds to read the first pages of almost any book. Did the writer grab you that fast? If not, chances are you won't buy it read the rest.

I've re-opened the current wip. I sliced three paragraphs off the beginning. Hopefully, by the time I'm through, the words will really sing.

Rainy, Rambly Mondays

"Rainy days and Mondays always get me down."

Sound familiar? Maybe not, if you're under the age of ... maybe 40? LOL! It's a line from an old Carpenters song that was very popular years ago. A song I always wind up singing along with -- on those rare occasions that I hear it played -- because I remember most of the words. Nostalgia times a hundred, in this case. :)

I remember songs from way back -- from catchy jingles, to Christmas carols, classic top 40, and classic rock. True confession: I even remember most of the School House Rock songs. I can recite the Preamble to the Constitution only if you let me sing it. ;)

Anyway, I've been wondering if that might be the reason one of my short stories seems to be catching on at Barnes and Noble? Do readers see the title and immediately think of Counting Crows? (It's titled for the group's popular song, Accidentally in Love.)

The song inspired the story, actually. I had two characters in mind, and the setting, since it was part of the Blue Plate Special - Pops' Girls series. I listened to that song played over and over and over, ad nauseum, while I wrote. I hummed it as I did laundry. Sang it in the shower... so much so that dd2 begged me to stop. LOL! And it was from her CD. ;)

Songs frequently inspire my writing. All my characters have at least one 'theme song'. All my stories have a sound track.

Which might be the problem with my recent writer's block -- besides being lazy, that is. ;) I haven't really set a sound track up for this story. I have one song set in stone, but I haven't listened to it lately. I think I know what my next step should be.

Meanwhile, I have a dark, rainy Monday outside my window. Instead of letting it get me down, I think I'll let it inspire me, instead.

~~Meg

The editing dilemma

I'm working on the next story in my Harris Grove series. These are the final, refining edits -- and maybe a little re-writing. I really don't like this part.

The main problem? I wrote the story quite a while ago -- and with a particular audience in mind. Now that audience has changed since that publisher closed its doors. My style of writing isn't precisely the same, either. It's not a drastic change, but it isn't the same.

Every time an author writes, they refine their style or voice. Which is hopefully what I've done. However, I also have a slightly different voice when I write comedy over suspense. I have to get back into light and funny mode. Not always an easy transition.

Now, back to the story at hand: Table for Two. It's light; funny; sweet. Yeah, I'm really not sure it completely works. It seems too old-school. Too 1950s? No, that's not necessarily a bad thing, but I can't backtrack when it comes to voice. I want to keep refining until I just can't find anything to change. I want this story to reflect that.

But this story... I don't know. I like it. I'm finding it a challenge. And at the moment, it's kicking my butt.

Wish me luck!

Self-publishing times three

ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE

(A Blue Plate Special - Pops' Girls short story)

Amelia Wojosowski moved to Glen Meadow to heal her broken heart and start a new life. She never dreamed she'd fall in love with the oh-so-serious and sexy town physician.

Doctor Marty Winston has sworn off pretty waitresses ever since one broke his heart--but he can't resist Amy Jo, despite her penchant for dumping food in his lap.

She's a beautiful accident waiting to happen…no wonder he's falling in love.

Genres: short story; romantic comedy; sexy romance; series romance; contemporary romance.

PRICE: $0.99

For KINDLE

For NOOK

Other Formats at Smashwords


I now have three stories up for sale at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords. (Honestly, I'm beginning to wonder if anyone buys books at Smashwords? No action there, to date.)

Anyhow, things are going well. Not fantastic. I won't be buying a new car anytime soon, but that wasn't really the point. ;)

And the point was...? I wanted to do something with these stories. Stories I spent a lot of time creating and fussing over. Ones I did sell, but that may not have caught the attention of many readers. I actually want to give readers a chance to discover them. These books weren't big sellers their first trip out. My other publisher was very, very tiny. Small presses are a dime a dozen, and let's face it -- it's a BIG Internet out there. ;)

But what to do with published stories? Unless you have a big name, not many pubs will try something already done. Then a friend began talking about her foray into self-publishing. The more she talked, the more I listened. Then I thought: "Why not? Let's give it a shot."

My third story is now available. It's another Blue Plate Special - Pops' Girls story ... a very short story. It can also be considered a sequel to SECOND CHANCES (formerly known as: Learning to Live).

I like the characters because they're real. They're not over-the-top Alphas or "perfect" heroines. They might just live right across the street -- only they don't mind if you peek in the bedroom window. (GGGG)

If you enjoy this or any of my books, I do wish you'd let me know. Leaving a comment or even a review is a wonderful way to pat an author on the back. It will be appreciated. :)

~~Meg

Indulge your senses...
htt://www.megallisonauthor.com

Here I go again...

"But little Mouse, you are not alone,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes of mice and men
Go often askew,
And leave us nothing but grief and pain,
For promised joy!"*

*Translation of John Burns' poem: "To a Mouse, on Turning Her Up in Her Nest with the Plough".

Gotta love those optimistic Scots. ;) But it's true -- therefore often quoted and paraphrased. We make plans with full intent on keeping our deadlines and honoring our promises... only to mess up or become sidetracked somewhere along the way.

Yep, I find myself in that position. Again. Seems it's almost inevitable, to the point that I cringe every time I even think of setting goals. :\ But a little bit of optimism shines through and I get the "I can do it this time" attitude. For a while. Until something happens... or I get stuck in a scene... life interferes... illness knocks me down... self-doubt pummels my already shaky confidence... Yeah, I know all about "best laid plans".

I've been accused of having the fear of succeeding... along with the fear of failure. I'll admit to the latter; the former, not so much. Although it could be true, I'm still not convinced I've ever been afraid of succeeding too much.

Okay, well, I again set a goal. A goal to finish such-and-such by a certain date. Details? Nope. Sorry. Every time I share my goals, I fall flat on my face in a very public arena. I'd rather this round be less in the spotlight.

Wow. Maybe I have some Scot in me, after all? ;)

~~Meg Allison

Summer stretch

Writer's are similar to athletes... except that we spend the majority of our time sitting on our butts. We have to. Have you ever tried typing while walking, running or working out on a treadmill? Not easy. Actually, it's a good way to get hurt.

The way we're similar, however, comes into play when we work on our craft. An athlete has to stretch their muscles... to push themselves just a little harder and further in order to improve their game. Writers need to do the same thing -- only the muscle we stretch is more cerebral.

If you have a favorite writer, you may notice, from time to time, that their stories sound a little stale. I can't tell you how easy it is to get in a rut. I find myself leaning toward a very specific type of heroine, for example. I've also noticed that there are certain plot devices I tend to favor. That's all well and good -- as long as I don't let my stories get boring. I don't want you to think I simply change the location and character names to create a new book. Who'd want to read it? Not me.

This summer I'm shaking things up a bit. I did this once before when I turned a would-be, somewhat standard romantic suspense into a paranormal romantic suspense. That turned out very well, btw. ;) Now I'm finishing book two, and stretching those writing muscles all the way. This hero is not my typical alpha.

So far, so good, but what I can I possibly do to get a better work-out? How can I stretch my writing muscles just that much more?

I think I've found the answer: Steampunk. No, not because it's all the rage, but because I love the genre... have even before it earned such a special designation. Remember Wild Wild West? Sexy. Funny. And oh-so cool. ;)

So now this new idea is percolating. One featuring a feisty bounty hunter and her shifter prey. Steampunk style, naturally, with funky goggles, gadgets and corsets. Not to mention those steam-powered machines. Yeah, this should be fun. And a challenge, which is the best way to give the gray-matter a work-out.

I take what I know I can write... and add something new to the mix. Another level to the plot. Another element to the story. Something that makes me work for just the right mix. Sometimes it's frustrating. Sometimes I'm overcome by the urge to bang my head on the keyboard or nearest wall. I frequently have to step back; take a breath; ask my resident consultant for some plot ideas; etc. But it's the best way I've found to keep my muse from losing the spark.

Now if I could only come up with a good way to exercise my butt, as well. ;)

Making my day

Writers tend to be a little like actors, I think. We have somewhat fragile egos -- at least I do -- and need a pat on the back now and then. I do, anyway. Can't really confirm that for every other writer. But honestly, who wouldn't smile after hearing: "You're great! I love your work." ;)

This week brought a pleasant suprise in a couple of ways. My favorite beautician was back at work after some big health issues due to injuries she received in a motorcycle accident. I was really glad to see her. I think of her as a friend -- someone with whom I've connected, because we have a lot in common. We're the same age; both have a large family; etc.

Now, we've gone to her beauty shop for about ten years -- almost since the day they opened. It's a small town, family oriented salon. She's watched my children grow up and I've watched hers do the same. When times were hard for us, I knew she knocked a few dollars off the price here and there when I brought more than one kiddo in for a cut. It helped more than she'll ever realize.

When I saw her this week, she proceeded to thank me for copies of my books that I'd given her over the last few years. She commented how much she loves my writing and how she's read SECRETS AND SHADOWS, her favorite, several times. She went on to say how much the stories have helped her in the this down time in her life, which has included numerous surgeries and physical therapy.

All I could say was, "Thank you!" But inside, I was humbled and really uplifted by her praise. Especially knowing that not only did she enjoy my stories, but that they were a comfort to her on some small level.

That's all it takes sometimes to make a person's day -- to just let them know how they've touched your life. How they've made a difference -- no matter how small. So, if you've been uplifted, enriched or otherwise just entertained by some authors' work, I encourage you to let him or her know. You'll make their day. Make someone else's day, and they'll probably pass that happy feeling along. The world could use a bit more happiness.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend!

Blogging beyond...

Click the link and check it out. Blogging at Beyond the Veil today.

~~Meg

Another hero to think about ...

I'm struggling just a bit with my current hero. He's handsome, intelligent and quietly self-assured. But he's not quite the alpha-male he may need to be. :\

Or is he? Maybe I need to analyze him just a bit.

Nathan Toshio Quinn, hero of At Second Sight, is an intelligent man. He's a thinker, not a fighter, but he fights when necessary. He's handsome and is aware of his general attractiveness to women. He does have a tiny bit of uncertainty left over from his younger days, but nothing that can't be masked with a joke or a grin.

He's often the comedian in the group. The man with the quick one-liner and even quicker smile. He's a flirt... an extrovert with introverted tendencies. He's a loner who has only recently begun to feel alone. Maybe he's missing something?

He's a man's man -- the type to watch a game or hang out anywhere from the local art gallery to the corner sport's bar. He seems to belong wherever he goes, whether he's sitting quietly in the corner or laughing at the center of attention.

He can also be a ladies man -- note the second glances when he enters a room? But he has eyes only for his heroine. Damn. He's falling hard for this one.

So, what do you think? Is he 'alpha' enough to keep your interest? Tell me about your 'perfect' hero.

The night shift...

I started a new job about four months ago. Recently, I decided to take on a different shift. Midnights. Where I work, it's actually from about 11:30 to 3:45, five nights a week.

Yes, I volunteered. No, I'm not crazy...or should I say no more insane than usual? There were several factors that brought me to this decision -- one of which, of course, was money. Others included the time I'm now home while my family is awake and active. Once I get some sleep, I'm up by noon and ready to do the mom and wife gig. ;)

During all this change, I've discovered something. The night shift is very quiet compared to others I've worked. The muse seems to come to life, as well. So, while I'm waiting between customers, I write. The old fashioned way with a pen on paper -- yellow, legal pad, to be precise.

The next day, I transcribe my writing to the document -- usually doing some tweaking along the way. It's a system I think I'm going to like, and one that will work for me. It may also mean I'll get this book done and ready to sub by the end of April. :)

Inspiration comes from amazing places. Sometimes it's in a song on the radio. A sunset on a cool spring evening. A drive through a ghost-like town at four in the morning, long before most people's alarm clocks have gone off. I've noticed my inspiration is better received in the quiet of the night...during those lulls when there's nothing to do except listen.

Coming full circle...

My oldest son, age 14, pointed something out to me recently. That old 'double standard' -- or at least one form of it -- seems to have come full circle.

He saw a picture posted on-line of several 40-something women holding signs up and screaming like groupies for a certain young actor. For those Twilight fans out there, the young man in question is none other than Taylor Lautner, werewolf buddy turned one fine hunk of man. ;)

A comment posted with the picture stated that if a group of 40-something men staged the same scene for a 17-year-old actress -- the attention given by the public wouldn't be so accepting. No laughs and knowing winks. Those men would branded as disgusting perverts, if not worse.

Wow. A little harsh, but, yes, I have to admit it's probably true. I'm almost ashamed to admit that I'd likely think those exact thoughts. And yet, here I am, a 40-something mom, completely appreciating the very impressive physique and handsome face of a boy young enough to be my own child.

Huh. That revelation made me squirm just a bit.

So, anyone want to hazard a guess how this happened? When did societal values shift so that older women ogling ... even lusting after younger men became okay? But the opposite became a bad joke?

Just to clarify, I don't actually lust after young Taylor. I do admire him from afar. I do find myself wishing certain men my own age still looked half that fit, shall we say? But I do not sit around and daydream about him.

Whatever the reasons have been, the truth is that things have changed. What was once taboo is no longer. And so a whole new sub-genre of the romance novel has been born. I haven't found a favorite older woman/younger man book, yet, but I'll let you know when I do.

I once read the statement that the difference between men and women being with someone much younger is that the woman knows she'll look ridiculous. I'm sure Demi Moore would have a few choice words regarding that observation. ;) But in reality... in the lives of average, everyday, non-movie star people, I think it's likely very true.

Most women I know would never dream of initiating a romance with a man ten or more years their junior, no matter the appeal. If such a young man were to make the first advance, that same woman might wonder what he really wanted... and just how long she'd hold his attention. Yes, we have many issues involving vanity. Perhaps some trust issues, as well.

Women now, as a whole, seem to now feel confident enough to admit they find men... even much-younger men, sexy and desirable. Men, on the other hand, are given nasty looks by many of those same women, if they're found lusting for much-younger girls.

Yes, the tables have turned on this particular double-standard. Makes me wonder what will be next.

A dose of reality

What I can possibly say when most of us are still reeling and/or shaking our heads regarding the news this week? As of this morning, we've uncovered one 'new' serial killer -- not the anti-hero, Dexter type, I'm sad to say; a bizarre kidnapping plot; and have faced the fact that not even secure facilities are secure... and sometimes the craziest ones among us might be the ones trying to heal our pain. :\ My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the horrors in both Ohio and at Fort Hood.

Yes, as you can probably deduce, I've had a bit too much reality this week. It reminds me not only why I don't enjoy watching the news, but why we're becoming so isolated from one another even as we spend hours on the Internet. Stranger danger has never had a more provocative meaning.

Reality is, however, something we have to face. Meet head-on at times. Even overcome or fight to change. But how do we keep our own mental health from hitting rock bottom in the meantime? It differs, I think, from person to person.

It runs the gamut of those who get out there and help to others who curl up in the fetal position and wait for it all to blow over. Then there's people like me who simply turn off the news and grab a good book...or play a game...or connect with friends and my family. I do face reality, but in small doses... or at least until my brain and heart reach the point of saturation. Then I delve back into make-believe.

Either way, I'm one of those who likes to be in control of their world. When I can't be -- which is often the case -- then I tend to get a bit overwhelmed. But I've figured out ways to deal with that stress so my family doesn't have to suffer my bad moods.

Recently I went so far as to turn on TV-Land and the Andy Griffith Show. Ah, to be in Mayberry again, sitting on the porch with Aunt Bea as I eat a big hunk of apple pie. How I'd love to laze with Andy and Opie at the old fishin' hole, just whittling the hours away in peace and quiet.

All I can say is that this week has reminded me that old-fashioned ideas and out-dated notions aren't necessarily a bad thing. In a perfect reality, neighbors would be friends -- they'd look out for each other; depend on each other without a thought and never regret it. In a perfect reality, my children wouldn't even know the term 'serial killer', and that would be okay. In a perfect reality, the bad guys would wear the black hats so we'd know, on sight, who we could trust.

Ah, but reality is never perfect. Which is partly why I read fiction... and write romance. I have control over that world, at least.

Write what you know???

One of the very first pieces of advice I ever heard regarding writing fiction was the simple statement: "Write what you know."

Okay, sure, on the surface it seems simple. Logical. Then follows the assumption that the only way to truly know something is to have lived it. Ah, yeah... I really don't think anyone wants to read about a stay-at-home mom with five kids. Hey, I could be wrong, but my life is not that interesting. Happy, but rather dull -- just the way I like it. ;)

So, does this mean if I haven't been an astronaut or a CIA agent, then I probably won't write a believable story about either? Okay, no, I do not plan to write anything set at NASA and I've done the later already... SECRETS AND SHADOWS. But I've never been a secret agent. I truly doubt any of the writers who have penned a romance including a spy hero or heroine ever worked for the FBI. I could be wrong.

If you do enough of the right kind of research, as a writer you should be capable of creating anything and making your reader believe in it. I've never been to Ireland, but I wrote a story set there -- ALAINA'S PROMISE. Reviewers and readers alike praised the book. One wrote how she 'fell in love' with the country and its people by reading that novel.

That was a case where my research combined with talent paid off. :) Does that mean I hit the mark? In some ways, yes. But few readers have ever been to 1870s Ireland, so I doubt I'll ever know how accurate my descriptions were.

All this said, I do feel there are some things you cannot simply read about and then write well. The foremost would be emotions. If I had never been in love, I'm not sure I could ever write a romance. Maybe I could read someone else's book and then repeat back the sensations and feelings conveyed. But even then, using my own words, I don't think it would ring true. You have to understand or have felt something before you can describe it to someone else. Otherwise, it's like trying to explain snow to someone who has never seen it when you've only seen it in a picture. You're missing way too much.

Yes, there are many other emotions involved in my writing. Despite popular opinion, romances are not all about the sex.

There's anger, deep hatred, lust, fear, greed, envy, sadness and depression. I have experienced each and every one of them -- plus others -- at some point in my life. Therefore, yes, I can write a murder scene and make you feel the anger of the killer or the fear of the victim. Have I ever killed anyone? Obviously not -- unless you count the occasional insect or two. But I have a basis in understanding those feelings I think might be involved. I can and do imagine the rest.

So I will add my own two cents of advice to the sage: "Write what you know." ... Go out and experience life. Find out what it's like to be a true friend; to fall in love. Discover every positive emotion ... and learn to control the destructive ones. But learn to feel... for without feelings, there is little point to living or writing.

Then when you want to write a story... a really good story... you'll understand your characters more thoroughly, and even the most mundane setting or character can be made riveting and real. Almost anything beyond your normal experiences can be found during research. A true writer can imagine or create the rest.

Archetype or stereotype?

I've loved all the recent posts on Shades of Suspense. Particularly the last regarding archetypes. It really got me thinking, which may or may not be a good thing. ;)

My main concern as a writer: How do I effectively use an archetype without it becoming a stereotype?

Just so we're all on the same page, here's how Dictionary.com defines the word stereotype:

noun

1. a process... for making metal printing plates by taking a mold of composed type or the like in papier-mâché or other material and then taking from this mold a cast in type metal.

2 & 3 are more of the same and then we reach...

4. Sociology. a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group...

I suppose that, by this last definition, it is possible to turn any one of our standard character archetypes into stereotypes. It depends largely on the writer ... and perhaps the reader, as to what type of characters catch on. For many years the most popular archetype -- at least in category romance -- seemed to be the beautiful, virginal, sweet and naive heroine.

Let's take one of the heroine archetypes for an example: The Boss. Now how many of you have either read a book or seen a movie/tv show with a female boss character? Many times that character is depicted as the power-hungry witch who cares for no one. So, in that sense, an archetype becomes a stereotype.

Any romance lover knows, however, that her personality is going to have to soften or change completely before we can dub The Boss as the heroine of the piece. After all, not many of us cheer for the corporate raider who grinds her stilettos into anyone who gets in the way. See? Stereotyped, all the way. ;) We do cheer for the underdog secretary or the quiet mouse in the steno pool. Ummm... do they even have steno pools anymore?

Ah, but I digress.

It's obvious that few of us are any of those archetypes in whole. We all have different faucets to our personalities. Sometimes we just might be that Boss Lady with attitude; at others, we are the nurturers who take care of others because their trials bring out our soft sides. We can be any and all of these women -- and so should our characters if we want them to be three-dimensional.

Now this thought-process has been with me for a while as I climb my way back up from the bottom of one rejection and fight to finish another book. My thanks to Jerri Drennen for actually putting it all out there at SOS for me to see and ponder anew. :)

I've been contemplating the whole idea of character because I worry that my characters are bordering on stereotyped status. Am I re-writing the same hero and heroine over and over? What about my villains? A simple change of name, nationality or hair color will not do the trick.

There is nothing more riveting than a story with three-dimensional beings at center stage. THOSE are the stories I want to write. I want a heroine to whom I can relate on some level. I want a hero with whom I can fall in love. I want a villain who I can curse ... and yet, one that draws a bit of sympathy from me, as well. The latter isn't an easy thing to create.

I think the most difficult character I've written to-date has been the sister of my DREAM WALK heroine. At first she seemed to simply be the bitch who did nothing but party and sleep around -- and in the beginning of the story, in the beginning of my thought process, she was exactly that. But then I kept writing... and I let the characters speak to me.

I wondered: "Why is she like this? What made her so different from her sister?"

She told me. In a writing session where the words poured like a waterfall, she helped me understand her rather complex personality. And so I began to actually like that character a bit more. She softened right before my eyes. It was an amazing experience.

Will she ever be the heroine, herself? Not sure. I still have issues with her, personally. ;) But at least I know she's not a one-dimensional party-girl secondary anymore. She became much more sympathetic, at least in my eyes.

So maybe I do know the secret of keeping those characters from becoming stereotypes, after all! Just put your hands on the keyboard... and listen. ;)

Men, and why I adore them...

It seems so easy to get into a rant about men. How dumb they can be. How confusing they are, etc. But I think I need to take a moment and let everyone know that I adore them. All men -- not just the cover-model gorgeous ones or the movie stars I sigh over.

Okay, let me qualify that a tiny bit ... I adore good men. Those with a sense of honor and integrity. Those who do what they have to do without complaining about it day in and day out. The ones who are tough, yet tear up when his child does something special or the family pet is laid to rest.

Those are the ones I truly appreciate.

Of course, I have my own special man. He's honest, hardworking, has a quirky sense of humor and is very intelligent. He loves and supports me though he doesn't always understand just what it is I do... especially how I manage to do it. He's the first to brag and often the last to get any attention himself. He's a loyal husband and friend; a wonderful father; a good man; and I teasingly call him my oldest child. (Not going for browny points here, he doesn't read my blog. LOL!)

I was recently asked why the heroes in romance novels are always young, tall, well-muscled, with lots of hair and great looks. I hesitate to reply because the reply sounds sexist. It really does. But in general, that is a woman's fantasy and I'm writing for them. Just as the totally hot, thin babe in every James Bond film is the fantasy of most men.

But I think if you look beyond the physical, you'll see a lot of 'real' men in my heroes. They have flaws, weaknesses. They often say exactly the wrong thing as well as the right one. The latter is because they have me writing the dialogue. ;)

They are men with pasts -- with things they wished they had done differently. They are often brave and completely fearless to the untrained eye. Yet, the heroine scares them to death. They make mistakes. And yes, they always wind up with the girl. Like I said, this a fantasy -- a woman's fantasy. A romance.

Just because I idealize men in my books, it doesn't mean I look down on all the real, slightly overweight and balding men out there. Quite the contrary! And if I could get away with using such heroes ... or without describing them at all, then I would. But I just don't know if it would work. Correction -- if I could make it work.

Women tend to internalize words and images. Romance novels feed the imagination, the heart with the sensual image of a man and woman together. It makes us long for love and all that comes with it. It makes us hope, if even for a moment, for that happy ending in our own lives.

So I feed the fantasy as I offer up heroes with six-pack abs and thick, dark hair. Maybe I'll become a better writer someday, and offer those same visions with merely the color of his eyes and hair, leaving the rest to the imagination alone.

Until then, I'll write the fantasies. I'll let my heroine conquer her bad-boy, rough-edged hero. I'll help the reader remember what that blush of first love felt like...and maybe inspire them to re-light the spark with their own knight in burnished armor.

But I couldn't accomplish any of this without men -- real men for me to base the most important characteristics upon: honesty... integrity... humor... compassion.

So while I might roll my eyes and implore the heavens: "What on earth was he thinking?" ... Always know that this woman does appreciate the good guys out there. My good guy, in particular. Obviously so, because I chose to live most of my adult life with him. :)

The problem with convenience

Let me first say that wireless Internet was a necessity in our home. We have four children currently in cyber-school -- all with their own laptops and their own schedules. It would be impossible to have each of them hooked up to one router in our schoolroom. For one thing, the noise would make it hard to concentrate. For another, our schoolroom isn't the most comfortable room in the house -- particularly during cold Pennsylvania winters.

So the wireless router was installed. It's great -- not perfect, but great. The signal isn't always what I'd like it to be, but it does enable the children to fan out and enjoy some measure of comfort while they attend virtual classes. Yes, they really do have the life. ;)

I've also found that this wondrous, wireless connection is my downfall. When I first got my laptop -- still in love with it, btw -- I got a lot of work done in my bedroom. I couldn't go on-line, so it made my choices simple: write or play Freecell. Freecell gets old fast. I got quite a bit of work done.

Then I connected. At first it was great. Look! I can check my email from here, I don't have to wait until later when the desktop is available. Nice.

Then I realized I could update my website, too. And change my Facebook page. Even twitter. Oh, I'd better check that FB game, my crops may need harvesting. Oh, that looks like fun.

I'd get back to the wip and suddenly hit a wall. Well, I'll take a break. One game won't hurt. I have to re-check my email, something important might come up.

And so it went ... until I found that convenient wireless Internet became my downfall. My crutch for avoiding work.

Of course, the writer's block I've been experiencing has its roots elsewhere. I can't blame the Internet or the little signal bouncing around the walls of my home. But I also can't help but wonder if I might have gotten over it more quickly if procrastination hadn't been made so easy?

What color is your sky?

Blogged today about point of view, imagination.

Beyond the Veil