Writing Process Blog Hop
I was invited by Mina Carter (http://mina-carter.com/2014/05/writing-process-blog-hop/ ) to participate in the writing process blog hop. As many of you know, I love Mina’s writing and I love Mina as a person. Check out her blog and her stories!
1) What am I working on?
I’m currently writing story 9 in the 12 novella Sinful Rewards serial from Avon Impulse (the first story is releasing in July and is available for pre-order right now). I’m super excited because Gabriel Blaine (from He Watches Me, He Touches Me, He Claims Me) made a brief appearance in story 8. The billionaire club in the U.S. is very small so, of course, Nicolas knows Blaine.
2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I might write about billionaires and bikers, common heroes in Romanceland, but they’re not stock characters. Each hero is unique with his own distinct personality and complex history. There are usually no ‘bad guys’ in my stories. There are characters who try to stop the hero or heroine from achieving their goals but they have their own reasons for doing this. Some of these reasons are quite noble.
I often write about exhibitionism and voyeurism, two popular kinks. I believe that monogamy doesn’t have to be monotonous and exhibitionism/voyeurism (even if it exists only in our imagination) are two easy fun ways that couples can spice up their relationships.
3) Why do I write what I do?
I love writing erotic romance because I believe sex is part of a healthy romantic relationship. This genre allows me to tell the WHOLE story, leaving nothing out.
Erotic romance readers are the best. They’re tolerant, easy going, very supportive. Their anything goes attitude allows me to tell stories the way I want to tell them. No internal censor, baby!
4) How does your writing process work?
I’m a pantser, which means I write by the seat of my pants, without a plot. I usually know my characters and the first scene before I sit down at that blank screen. I’m writing story 9 of Sinful Rewards and I’m racing to the finish, wanting to know how the serial ends.
Sinful Rewards 1
Cynthia Sax
Belinda “Bee” Carter is a good girl; at least, that’s what she tells herself. And a good girl deserves a nice guy—just like the gorgeous and moody billionaire Nicolas Rainer. He is everything she wants in a man.
Or so she thinks, until she takes a look through her telescope and sees a naked, tattooed man on the balcony across the courtyard. Hawke is mysterious, the bad boy she knows will bring only heartbreak. He has been watching her, and that makes him all the more enticing.
But when a mysterious and anonymous text message dares her to do something bad, she must decide if she is really the good girl she has always claimed to be, or if she’s willing to risk everything for her secret fantasy of being watched.
Is her mystery man the reclusive billionaire with a wild side or the darkly dangerous bad boy?
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sinful-Rewards-1-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B00I7V89H0
Barnes And Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sinful-rewards-1-cynthia-sax/1119055390
Topics: Writing Tips | Comments Off on Writing Process Blog Hop
World Building In SciFi Erotic Romance – Alien Tryst
One of the fun aspects of writing SciFi erotic romance is the world building. Writers create species of aliens, entire planets, ships. We decide how planets are governed, what values the society has, what our out-of-this-world characters eat, even how they use the bathroom. (grins)
There are thousands of seemingly minute decisions. When two characters meet, do they shake hands, bump elbows or rub their stomachs? Do they stare directly into the other’s eyes or look down or glance over the right shoulder? Do they have an expected greeting, an expected response? Who offers this greeting first? All of this should make sense for the world.
Alien Tryst is set on Earth in present day but this doesn’t mean there aren’t decisions to be made, a world to build. The Orogones are aliens on Earth. How do they remain undetected? What are they doing here? What technology do they have? The questions are endless.
Eshe is the heroine and her job is to figure out how to transfer humans. One of the aspects of this world that my editor and I spent a lot of time on was why Orogones could be transferred but humans could not.
An Orogone has two souls. Souls are scrambled when transferred. By having two souls, one soul can be bumped ahead in space, the genetic information becoming partially scrambled. The other soul lags, maintaining the genetic information. This genetic information is passed from the lagging soul to the other, before the lagging soul is transferred.
Humans only have one soul. When transferred, their genetic information is scrambled and they arrive on the new planet temporarily alive but… well… scrambled. Their left foot could be attached to their shoulder. Their left ear could appear on their belly.
To prove that this space travel could be feasible, we looked at science experiments, especially in quantum theory. Don’t worry. None of this appears in the story. I believe we summed up the why in one easy-to-grasp sentence. But it was important that WE knew the details because this changed other aspects in the world.
Yes, even a SciFi erotic romance set on Earth can provide world building fun. (grins)
While investigating some mysterious disappearances, Kane uncovers two secrets that change his world. He’s not entirely human. He’s also dangerously close to death. His alien grandfather has broken a sacred rule, putting his entire bloodline, including Kane, at risk of termination.
Eshe, a sexy blonde scientist with lush lips and a hot body, is Kane’s only hope to save his family. He’ll do anything to keep her safe, including fighting alien warriors, crossing vast galaxies and giving his woman the pleasure she craves again and again, using every inch of his fit physique.
In this world, passion is power and love is necessary for survival.
Buy Now At: http://www.ellorascave.com/alien-tryst.html
Buy Now At: http://www.amazon.com/Alien-Tryst-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B00K5QX8DA
Topics: Writing Tips | Comments Off on World Building In SciFi Erotic Romance – Alien Tryst
How To Write Aliens Readers Fall In Love With
Romance is all about emotion. In order for readers to feel emotion, we have to care about characters. This caring is more easily established when we have something in common with the characters.
So what do we have in common with aliens?
Aliens often look different (have multiple body parts – big grin). They might have different abilities (SUPER alien sex), different languages, different customs, different technology. They come from different worlds, have different politics, values, etc.
These differences are so interesting and exciting that many writers, myself included, are tempted to spend the first few pages detailing what makes our aliens so… well… alien. If we do this, we’ll lose our readers. They’ll put down our stories because they won’t care about these aliens.
Instead, I like to start my stories with what makes my aliens human. In Alien Tryst, Eshe and Raff, two alien siblings, squabble as human siblings do. Raff is strutting around Eshe’s laboratory, telling her how super awesome he is. She’s rolling her eyes and making fun of his hair. I thread in the alien aspects but the core scene is very relatable.
The internal goal, motivation, and conflict for the character should be human also.
The external goal can be different and alien and unique to our specific world. In Alien Tryst, Eshe’s external goal is to finalize the transferring process for humans so humans can visit her planet. That’s a very SciFi, alien-type of external goal.
Eshe’s internal goal, however, is to be accepted, to belong somewhere or with someone. That’s a very human goal. Don’t we all want to belong? We can relate to this goal, cheer for her. We’re sad when it appears as though she won’t reach it and happy when she eventually does (it’s a romance – grins – we know she’ll belong with at least one being).
It is also easier for us to relate to beings with similar emotions. Our aliens might show these emotions in different ways or call the emotions different things (or not have a word for this unusual love emotion) but what they truly feel is the same. For example: if a friend dies, we expect the alien to be sad. We have an emotional bond with the alien.
In other words, for us to care about alien characters, at the core, they should be similar to us.
How do you create aliens readers care about?
While investigating some mysterious disappearances, Kane uncovers two secrets that change his world. He’s not entirely human. He’s also dangerously close to death. His alien grandfather has broken a sacred rule, putting his entire bloodline, including Kane, at risk of termination.
Eshe, a sexy blonde scientist with lush lips and a hot body, is Kane’s only hope to save his family. He’ll do anything to keep her safe, including fighting alien warriors, crossing vast galaxies and giving his woman the pleasure she craves again and again, using every inch of his fit physique.
In this world, passion is power and love is necessary for survival.
Buy Now At: http://www.ellorascave.com/alien-tryst.html
Buy Now At: http://www.amazon.com/Alien-Tryst-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B00K5QX8DA
Topics: Writing Tips | Comments Off on How To Write Aliens Readers Fall In Love With
My Truth About The Short Story/Novella Market
In the May edition of RWR (Romance Writers Report), there was an article titled “Don’t Shortchange the Short-Story Market.” I have a lot of respect for Elf Ahearn, the writer. I think she’s a great journalist but, as a former journalist myself, I know that we’re only as good as our sources.
None of Elf Ahearn’s sources specialize solely in the short story and novella market. The writers she quotes are wonderful writers but they’re not writing short stories and novellas as their sole source of income. They’re using them for promotion.
I write short stories and novellas as my sole source of writing income.
So I thought I’d share MY short story and novella reality (and this reality varies for every writer). I’ve written erotic romance (contemporary, SciFi and Paranormal) short stories and novellas for Avon Impulse, Ellora’s Cave, Loose Id and Changeling Press.
I concentrate on this shorter market because the readers who read 50 page stories want different things from their erotic romances than the readers who read 400 page stories. It also requires a different skill set, a skill set I’ve worked hard to obtain. And, of course, I LOVE writing short stories and novellas.
Market
There’s a HUGE market for these stories. No, Decadent Publishing’s 1 Night Stand series didn’t kick off its popularity. Changeling Press, one of my publishers, has been publishing shorter erotic romances EXCLUSIVELY for 10 years. That’s ALL they publish (excluding stories from some established writers – grins at Flash aka Stephanie Burke). Changeling Press’ top desired word count is 35,000 words or 140 pages.
The RWR article groups short stories and novellas together. This is unfortunate because these markets are very different. It is challenging to find a publisher for a 10,000 word (40 page) short story. A 20,000 word (80 page) erotic romance novella can be placed at an almost overwhelming number of digital-first publishers.
And yes, for short stories and novellas, writers are likely looking at digital-first. Ebooks are what most short fiction readers are buying. I have some of my novellas available in print form but sales of these stories are much, MUCH lower.
Note: The article stated that Ellora’s Cave “boasts 72 anthologies and countless stand-alone titles.” These anthologies are PRINT anthologies. In erotic romance alone, they have over 1,500 short stories and novellas published. Of 55 titles on their coming soon page, 28 titles are short stories or novellas.
Earnings
In the article, $250 was cited as “a good chunk of change for a short story.” $250 is not great but it is okay for a short story (40 pages or 10,000 words) from a relatively unknown writer looking for some promotional help.
I’m not well known but I have been published for almost five years. I expect to earn double that for a short story and ten times that for a novella. I know writers who make six figures from their lengthy backlist of short stories and novellas.
Note: I promote my short stories and novellas, I’m published with publishers with established short story and novella readerships, and I publish frequently (about one release a month).
Promotion
Promotion is another reason to write short stories and novellas. I prefer to make these promo stories work harder. I usually give the story away in a charity anthology (I’m contributing to the Shades Of Pink anthology benefiting breast cancer which is releasing this fall). This is one more way writers can give back to the world. Sometimes I’ll contribute to an anthology with writers I respect and wish to get to know better. Some buddies have contributed to box sets, which land them on the best seller lists.
To write a novella for a flat fee publisher (would you write a NOVEL for a flat fee publisher?) merely because it is shorter, has a lower price point (sometimes) and might be good for promotion is, IMHO, not getting the best return for your work.
Skill Set
Because writing a 25,000 word, 100 page novella IS work. It also isn’t the same experience as writing a 100,000 word, 400 page novel. Some of the core craft knowledge is the same. Novella writers still need to know GMC (goals, motivation, conflict), structure (3 act, 5 act, whatever you use), character and world building, as well as other writer tools.
In addition to that, there’s a specific skill set required for writing novellas well (almost anyone can write a bad novella). Heck, writing novellas and short stories are very different, requiring different skills.
I’ve taken courses and workshops, read books, talked to established short story and novella writers. I didn’t switch from novels to novellas and short stories because it was easier. I switched because that’s where my skills are and that’s what I love to write.
Summary
Can you make a living and build a career with short stories and novellas? Yes. As I mentioned, some writers are earning six figures. This is much easier to accomplish when you respect the art form, learning the craft and the business.
Sinful Rewards 1
Cynthia Sax
Belinda “Bee” Carter is a good girl; at least, that’s what she tells herself. And a good girl deserves a nice guy—just like the gorgeous and moody billionaire Nicolas Rainer. He is everything she wants in a man.
Or so she thinks, until she takes a look through her telescope and sees a naked, tattooed man on the balcony across the courtyard. Hawke is mysterious, the bad boy she knows will bring only heartbreak. He has been watching her, and that makes him all the more enticing.
But when a mysterious and anonymous text message dares her to do something bad, she must decide if she is really the good girl she has always claimed to be, or if she’s willing to risk everything for her secret fantasy of being watched.
Is her mystery man the reclusive billionaire with a wild side or the darkly dangerous bad boy?
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sinful-Rewards-1-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B00I7V89H0
Barnes And Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sinful-rewards-1-cynthia-sax/1119055390
Topics: Writing Tips | 8 Comments »
Whose Story Is It?
When I was solely a reader, I thought erotic romances were stories about two people (or more, if they were ménages), that the stories belonged to both the heroes and the heroines equally. Many times, the stories were written from both points of view so the characters must share the story, right?
Ummm…no. Once I started seriously (or semi-seriously as I’m never truly serious about anything – grins) studying and writing romances, I discovered that almost every story belongs to either the hero or the heroine, not to both characters. One character drives most of the action.
Just as it is difficult to have two people steering the same car, it is as challenging having two characters steer the same story. One character often takes the lead, stealing much of the focus.
In The Seen Trilogy (He Watches Me, He Touches Me, He Claims Me), the story is about Anna. She has the biggest emotional issues, takes the biggest emotional risks, changes the most. Sure, Blaine has issues (there’s a reason why romance heroes start stories as bachelors) but his issues tie into Anna’s.
In Breaking All The Rules, even though the story is told from Camille’s point of view, the story belongs to Nate. He changes the most during the story. His issues are the greatest. He has the most to lose.
I’m a pantser (a writer who writes by the seat of her pants, without any plot) but I usually know whose story I’m writing before I type the first sentence. The story belongs to the character who has to change, evolve, grow the most to achieve her or his happy ever after. Yes, the most messed up character gets the most page time. (laughs) Just like in real life, the drama mammas steal all of our attention.
Looking back at your favorite romances, which characters dominated the pages? Whose stories are they?
Nathan Lawford, Blaine Technologies’ chief financial officer, is known as the Iceman. He conducts his personal and business affairs without emotion, never allowing himself to become involved with anyone. When Nate sees something or someone he wants, he negotiates, paying a simple, set monetary price.
Now he wants Camille, the company’s green-haired intern.
Camille Joplin Trent never expected to be paid to pleasure the man of her dreams. She can’t quite figure out why this is a bad thing. Nate is intelligent, handsome, sophisticated, everything she’s ever wanted in a lover and never thought she could have. Their contract is for a month, thirty lust-filled days of making every sexual fantasy they’ve ever had come true. At the end of this month, the rules state their relationship will end.
Of course, Camille has never been good at following rules.
Buy Now At Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-All-Rules-Erotic-Novella-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXY
Buy Now At ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-breakingalltherules-1453084-149.html
Topics: Writing Tips | Comments Off on Whose Story Is It?
Seasons In The Sun
Yes, I’m singing that classic Terry Jacks’ song, Seasons In The Sun. (grins) My mom would play that song when I was a little trooper.
The season in which a writer sets a story plays an important role. A story set in winter has a different tone than a story set in summer. Winter is viewed as being dark and cold, sometimes grim. Summer is hot and sunny, a happier, more carefree season. Spring is a season of renewal, of fresh starts, of hope. Fall or autumn is associated with school, getting back to work, harvest.
I have stories set in all of the seasons but my favorite is definitely summer. As I often write about exhibitionism and voyeurism, summer gives me more flexibility. Few people run around naked in the dead of winter (except for Prism, the streaking fairy in Clothing Optional Christmas – grins). Setting a story in summer allows my characters more freedom.
Some reading buddies have asked me why I set Breaking All The Rules in summer. Nate, the hero, is known as the Ice Man. Wouldn’t it make more sense to set this story in winter? Nate would be in his element then.
And that’s the problem. In order to open his heart to Camille, Nate has to change. He’ll only change if he becomes uncomfortable. He has to be taken out of his element, to be put at a disadvantage.
Another reason Breaking All The Rules is set in summer is Camille’s connection to the Earth. Her parents are hippies. She grew up on a commune, growing her own herbs and vegetables. When she’s stressed (and falling in love with Nate does cause Camille stress), she seeks a link to Mother Earth. She digs her bare toes into the soil. She gets her fingers and feet dirty. For Nate to truly understand Camille, he has to see this connection.
I also often wonder if Camille would have pushed Nate so hard in the middle of winter. She is definitely solar powered. It energizes her. She needs this energy when she seduces her Ice Man.
I couldn’t tell this love story in any other season.
Do you prefer to read stories set in a certain season? Which season and why?
Nathan Lawford, Blaine Technologies’ chief financial officer, is known as the Iceman. He conducts his personal and business affairs without emotion, never allowing himself to become involved with anyone. When Nate sees something or someone he wants, he negotiates, paying a simple, set monetary price.
Now he wants Camille, the company’s green-haired intern.
Camille Joplin Trent never expected to be paid to pleasure the man of her dreams. She can’t quite figure out why this is a bad thing. Nate is intelligent, handsome, sophisticated, everything she’s ever wanted in a lover and never thought she could have. Their contract is for a month, thirty lust-filled days of making every sexual fantasy they’ve ever had come true. At the end of this month, the rules state their relationship will end.
Of course, Camille has never been good at following rules.
Buy Now At Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-All-Rules-Erotic-Novella-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXY
Buy Now At ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-breakingalltherules-1453084-149.html
Topics: Writing Tips | Comments Off on Seasons In The Sun
Titles, Covers and Blurbs, Oh My
As we’re waiting to see the cover for Alien Tryst, my May 7th SciFi Erotic Romance novella releasing from Ellora’s Cave (I can’t WAIT – I LOVE seeing covers), I thought we’d talk about titles, covers and blurbs.
Publishers are responsible for titles, covers and blurbs. Some publishers don’t involve writers AT ALL in these decisions. These writers see their final titles, covers and blurbs when readers do. That’s why many writers haunt Amazon. (We also haunt Amazon because we obsess over rankings and reviews.-Grins)
I’m very fortunate because my publishers consult with me on all three. I submit my manuscripts with a working title. If my publisher likes this title, we keep it. If they don’t like it, they’ll ask me for more possible titles. I usually send ten titles for them to choose from. If they don’t like these titles, I’ll send them more. This is why I never mention my manuscripts’ titles before I receive a contract.
When I submit a manuscript, I also include a possible blurb in the query email. My publishers usually use this blurb as a base for the final blurb. They’ll often send the blurb to me before they post it on Amazon, B&N, ARe, etc. I act as quality control (ensuring names are spelled right, etc).
For the cover, I’ll fill out a cover request form either formally or informally. I’ll share information such as what the characters look like, the tone of the story (it was a dark and stormy night – grins), previous covers in the series (so all of the covers have the same look), and anything that I feel is key to the story. For example: Camille, the heroine of Breaking All The Rules, has green hair so I wanted green on the cover. Pink factors heavily in Flashes Of Me, which is why that cover is pink.
Sometimes I’ll see the cover before it is posted publicly. Sometimes I don’t. This depends on how close the release date is. There’s no time to redo the cover for Alien Tryst if we wish the story to release on May 7th. Unless something goes terribly wrong, the first cover I see for Alien Tryst will be the cover we use.
This is why choosing a publisher isn’t a casual task. Writers trust publishers with their titles, their covers, their blurbs, the three things readers see first.
Nathan Lawford, Blaine Technologies’ chief financial officer, is known as the Iceman. He conducts his personal and business affairs without emotion, never allowing himself to become involved with anyone. When Nate sees something or someone he wants, he negotiates, paying a simple, set monetary price.
Now he wants Camille, the company’s green-haired intern.
Camille Joplin Trent never expected to be paid to pleasure the man of her dreams. She can’t quite figure out why this is a bad thing. Nate is intelligent, handsome, sophisticated, everything she’s ever wanted in a lover and never thought she could have. Their contract is for a month, thirty lust-filled days of making every sexual fantasy they’ve ever had come true. At the end of this month, the rules state their relationship will end.
Of course, Camille has never been good at following rules.
Buy Now At Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-All-Rules-Erotic-Novella-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXY
Buy Now At ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-breakingalltherules-1453084-149.html
Topics: Writing Tips | Comments Off on Titles, Covers and Blurbs, Oh My
I Support Reviewers
I support your right to post honest reviews, including one star reviews. You’re one of my readers, you have an opinion and I respect your right to share it. Heck, I admire you for sharing it. That takes courage. (Freedom of speech, baby – I live it and love it)
I don’t care which name you attach to your review. If you feel more comfortable reviewing as Anonymous, review as Anonymous. Personally I’d choose a more colorful pen name (The Pink Unicorn Of Love) but hey, whatever floats your boat. (grins) You respect my need for privacy and I extend to you the same respect.
I’ll address some common questions I’ve received.
Q. I hear reviews help writers but I don’t feel comfortable writing them. Am I a bad reader?
Yes, you’re a bad, bad reader and you must be punished. Assume the position while I ask one of my hunky heroes to discipline you. Oh, Officer Drake…
LOL
Seriously… talking about the books you love helps writers. There are a zillion ways to talk about books. Writing reviews is merely one of these ways. I’ll often post on social media that I’m reading a certain book. I don’t say anything more, allowing my reading buddies to decide for themselves whether or not they want to read that book.
Q. I didn’t like one of your stories. Will you hate me forever?
Will you hate me forever for writing a story you didn’t like? (big hugs) My bestest buddy in the world hasn’t liked any story I’ve ever written (she doesn’t like erotic romance) and I still love her to bits.
Every story I write is different. Every character I write is different. I don’t expect you to like every story. I’d be alarmed if you did. That might be an indication that I’m not trying different things. Either that or you’re as nuts as I am. (grins) If that’s the case, you’re destined to be my best buddy forever.
Q. Do negative reviews make you angry?
I don’t like disappointing any reader. I don’t think any writer does. Your time is precious and you gifted that time to me. I want you to be happy.
But I won’t ever be angry with you if you write a negative review. UNLESS you’re mean to my readers. I’m super protective of my reading buddies. They’re part of my family. Yeah, I get all mamma bear about my readers.
Q. I posted a one star review of your story and now I’m receiving mean comments/emails. Are you responsible for this?
If you receive mean comments/emails because you posted a one star review of one of my stories, PLEASE contact me ! I’ll defend you and talk to the people involved.
I can assure you that the reader isn’t a member of my street team. We cause a happy, upbeat, super positive type of chaos in Romanceland (if someone leaves a comment with a very bad pun, she or he might be a street team member – grins). No negative energy!
Q. I don’t agree with a review. What do I do?
Please respect the reviewer’s opinion. Writers often say that when a story is published, it no longer belongs to the writer, it belongs to the reader. Every reader reads a different story because we bring our own experiences into this story.
If you disagree, you can post your own review. There’s no need to directly address the previous review (this might make that reviewer feel bad and no one should feel bad about reading erotic romance). Simply offer other readers a different view of the same book. I LOVE reading these types of reviews.
If you ever have any questions about reviews, my stories or anything else (I’m an expert in all things Nutella also – grins), please send me an email !
Topics: Reviews | 2 Comments »
Keeping Stories Simple
The first romance story I ever completed writing was a 150,000 word, 500 page Regency romance called The Dragon Duke’s Protector. This story incorporated every plot you could ever imagine. There was a secret baby, a spy ring, a lady disguised as a governess, a self-made, half-Asian scarred bastard son of a Duke who somehow inherited the title, a haunted castle, a wicked stepmother and a wicked butler and a wicked maid and a wicked yet beautiful rival. There were pirates, missing gold, and murdered parents. You name the Regency plot. It was in there.
It was also a horrendous mess. My dear wonderful hubby often tells me if I ever become famous, he’ll rescue The Dragon Duke’s Protector from its place under the bed and have it published. But that’s a joke. This story will never see the light of day.
It was a first story and I made a very common first story mistake, a mistake I see in numerous contest entries while judging. I made the story too complicated, thinking I was being clever, thinking that complicated was a good thing.
Complicated is a bad thing, especially in romance. Every complication, every additional plotline or character or setting takes our attention away from the true reason we’re reading the story. We’re reading for the romance.
Of course, things should happen. No one wants to read a story about a couple drinking tea. But the focus of the story should always be on the romantic couple (or more if the story is a ménage). Every scene, every setting, every subplot, every secondary character should support the romance.
This is challenging to accomplish. Creating simple stories isn’t easy. Look at ballroom dancing. The professionals make it appear so effortless, as though anyone could do it, yet it has taken years, decades of hard work to create this illusion. A well-crafted romance is similar. It appears easy yet is dang difficult and never foolproof (This is why 1 star reviews happen. Some stories don’t work.).
I write a quick, messy, bare bones first draft of a story and then usually spend three or four drafts simplifying the story. Can I eliminate characters, making one character do the job of three? Do I have to change settings? Can I return to a setting I’ve already created? Does that oh-so-clever subplot serve the romance or should it be eliminated? Is my hero or heroine too complex? Can I reduce the heroine’s emotional baggage from twenty large trunks to one or two carryon pieces? All of this returns the focus to the romance, where it should be.
How do you simplify your stories?
Nathan Lawford, Blaine Technologies’ chief financial officer, is known as the Iceman. He conducts his personal and business affairs without emotion, never allowing himself to become involved with anyone. When Nate sees something or someone he wants, he negotiates, paying a simple, set monetary price.
Now he wants Camille, the company’s green-haired intern.
Camille Joplin Trent never expected to be paid to pleasure the man of her dreams. She can’t quite figure out why this is a bad thing. Nate is intelligent, handsome, sophisticated, everything she’s ever wanted in a lover and never thought she could have. Their contract is for a month, thirty lust-filled days of making every sexual fantasy they’ve ever had come true. At the end of this month, the rules state their relationship will end.
Of course, Camille has never been good at following rules.
Buy Now At Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-All-Rules-Erotic-Novella-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXY
Buy Now At ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-breakingalltherules-1453084-149.html
Topics: Writing Tips | Comments Off on Keeping Stories Simple
What Is A Romance Hero?
Romance writers are often told that readers are the heroine but they read for the hero. The hero is one half of the romantic couple (or one third/two thirds of a romantic ménage) and is a key part of the story.
So what is a hero?
According to Dictionary.com, a hero is
1. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child.
3. the principal male character in a story, play, film, etc.
4. Classical Mythology
a. a being of godlike prowess and beneficence who often came to be honored as a divinity.
b. (in the Homeric period) a warrior-chieftain of special strength, courage, or ability.
c. (in later antiquity) an immortal being; demigod.
5. hero sandwich.
Yes, he’s a sandwich. (grins)
I thought it would be fun to talk about some myths about romance heroes.
1. A Hero Must Be An Alpha
I love writing alpha heroes. I’m married to an alpha male and they are the types of men I’m personally attracted to. But there are some great non-alpha regular guy heroes in Romanceland. Yes, while they’re under pressure (while protecting the heroine or saving the world), they become take charge, more dominant males, but in their regular lives, they’re okay with being led, rather than leading.
2. A Hero Must Be Perfect
The perfect man is… well… imaginary but he’s also boring. He’s always doing the right thing, putting other people first, never has any bad habits or crazy quirks.
(Yawn)
Interesting heroes are imperfect. They might be strict rule-setters as Nate is in Breaking All The Rules. They might be terrible dressers as Hawke is in Sinful Rewards (releasing in July). They might not be morning people. They could be a bit selfish or focused on their own goals. Heroes should be human and real.
3. A Hero Must Be Good
Readers should (eventually) fall in love with the hero. Some newer writers think this means the hero must be perceived as being a good person on page one. He must never do anything bad, always be noble, a great example for others.
I have a big challenge, as a reader, believing in the good hero. I often feel that if he’s such a good man, he likely would have loved and been loved already. There’s not a lot of story. He’s a good man. The heroine would be a fool not to love him.
I prefer the not-so-good hero, especially the villain turned hero. Darius, the hero of Assassin Mine, is a cold-blooded assassin, working for the perceived-as-evil Balazoids. He does and says some terrible things but readers understand why he does and says these things. They see that he’s redeemable, that he will eventually become a male worthy of love, and read to find out when and how this transformation/character growth will happen.
4. A Hero Must Be Handsome
Tall, dark and handsome is the fairy tale description of a hero. A handsome hero can be interesting. Unless he’s intellect-challenged, he’ll know he’s handsome. He might be a bit vain or cocky or tired of women liking him only for his looks.
But an ugly hero can also be interesting. Henley, the hero of Flashes Of Me, is an ugly hero. It takes a special type of heroine to find an ugly hero attractive and that is important—that she find him attractive. There should be some sort of physical attraction between them, some chemistry on which to build.
5. A Hero Must Be Strong
We’re all independent, capable women but I think many of us do want a man who can, when necessary, protect us. It is much easier for our heroines to save the world when she has a strong man by her side.
But this doesn’t mean the hero has to be physically strong. There are all types of strength. He could be highly intelligent, lead a team of people, or have a special talent. Flopsy aka The Godrabbit is a bunny shifter so he isn’t physically strong. However, he has his minions who are completely loyal to him and he’s very competent with a gun.
Which characteristics do you like in a romantic hero?
Nathan Lawford, Blaine Technologies’ chief financial officer, is known as the Iceman. He conducts his personal and business affairs without emotion, never allowing himself to become involved with anyone. When Nate sees something or someone he wants, he negotiates, paying a simple, set monetary price.
Now he wants Camille, the company’s green-haired intern.
Camille Joplin Trent never expected to be paid to pleasure the man of her dreams. She can’t quite figure out why this is a bad thing. Nate is intelligent, handsome, sophisticated, everything she’s ever wanted in a lover and never thought she could have. Their contract is for a month, thirty lust-filled days of making every sexual fantasy they’ve ever had come true. At the end of this month, the rules state their relationship will end.
Of course, Camille has never been good at following rules.
Buy Now At Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-All-Rules-Erotic-Novella-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXY
Buy Now At ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-breakingalltherules-1453084-149.html
Topics: Guest Post, Writing Tips | Comments Off on What Is A Romance Hero?
