Writing Prompts
The next story on my schedule to write is Holding Hoarse, this year’s free short story (releasing in December). The challenge is…
I haven’t yet figured out a great premise for this story. I have premises. I always have premises. (grins) But they aren’t right for Hoarse, the C Model cyborg hero.
One of the things I do to break out of my small idea box is look around me, find an object or a news story or a line of a song or something else random, and then write as many premises or story ideas as possible involving it.
I go wild with these ideas. I flip tropes or expectations. I think of the most bizarre things. There’s no judgment. I am unlikely to share these ideas with anyone else unless I use them or I think they’re fun and might inspire other writers.
When writers freely share premises with other writers, we call them writing prompts.
***
Writing Prompt:
An asteroid speeds toward Earth.
As it draws closer to the planet, scientists realize it isn’t an asteroid.
It is an egg.
And it’s hatching.
***
This writing prompt or premise was inspired by a carton of eggs and was influenced by my love of disaster movies.
I am unlikely to ever write it. My alien romance stories aren’t set on modern Earth. So I’m sending it out into the universe, freely giving it to other writers, hoping they are inspired by it or write it as it is.
Has this premise already been written? That’s likely. There are thousands of books published every day. I’m certain someone else has thought of it.
But no one will think of it quite the same way as I do or as you do. Premises are common. Stories are unique to each writer because our voices are unique. No one has the same way of thinking, the same experiences, the same perspectives as you do.
If you are inspired by a story prompt, you are free to write it.
As for me… (big sigh) I’m still looking for a great premise for Holding Hoarse. It will come to me. I know that. But it might take a few more story idea brainstorming sessions.
(If you want to see some of the story prompts coming out of these brainstorming sessions, I usually share them on my Instagram account – https://www.instagram.com/cynthiasax/ )
***
Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/
Other Chameles view him as the enemy.
She sees the warrior hero he never believed he could be.
* * *
Tolui is a Warlord in search of a planet to rule. He has been leading his fellow clones in a stealth battle, fighting for both control of the Chamele sector and the right to exist. The brave warriors he commands warrant respect, and they deserve the best.
That best isn’t the barren, dangerous terrain on Chamele 4. When Tolui crashes on that planet’s surface, he’s determined to leave it as soon as possible. The tiny human female rescuing him might be as beautiful and as wild as the land she inhabits, but her flowing words, trusting gaze, and enthralling submission won’t stop him from rejoining the war.
After many solar cycles of living alone, Lea is overjoyed when a tall, scarred, muscular warrior falls from the sky. Her savage stranger is strong and severe, and he makes her feel safe, an emotion she hasn’t experienced in a long, long time.
He also insists they must part. Before they do, she’ll show him the splendor of her home, and she’ll enjoy his big form, collecting passionate moments she can revisit when she’s solitary once more.
Every additional moment Lea and Tolui spend together increases the chance they’ll both die. Lea is being chased by female-hating fiends. Tolui is being hunted by the best bounty hunters in the universe. War will soon arrive on their threshold, and the blood spilled might be their own.
* * *
Warlord’s Mercy is based on a much shorter story sharing the same title.
It is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a villain turned hero and a brave, chatty heroine set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
Warlord’s Mercy is the fifth of six core stories in the Chamele Barbarian Warlord series.
Book 1: Warlord Sky
Book 2: Warlord’s Bounty
Book 3: Warlord Unarmed
Book 4: Warlord Reunited
Book 5: Warlord’s Mercy
Book 6: Warlord’s Return
Buy Now:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0886K65F9
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0886K65F9
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0886K65F9
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-mercy/id1511995733
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warlords-mercy-cynthia-sax/1116524052
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/warlord-s-mercy-1
SmashWords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1020349
Topics: Writing Tips | 4 Comments »
Short Stories – How I Stay Focused On One Series
I started this wonderful career as a Romance Writer by writing short stories, stories that were approximately 11,000 words or 44 pages long.
There were a number of reasons why I started with shorter works.
I LOVE short stories. I think they are an underappreciated art form. My favorite Stephen King stories, for example, are his short stories. Some of my most treasured books when I was a pre-teen and teenager were compilations of short stories. I admire songwriters, folks who can tell a story in 3 or 4 minutes.
There’s something extremely satisfying about relaying a story with the minimal amount of words. It is a skill not everyone has.
My first professional (i.e. paid) writing also was as a newspaper reporter. I had a small column in a daily paper and articles in a weekly paper. My allowable word count for those articles was small. I had to make every word count and I learned how to write lean.
That habit was difficult to break. I still write lean today with my first drafts. It takes me two more drafts to fill the story out.
Another key factor was I had an extremely high-pressure full-time job (as a business babe) at the time and that required many hours of overtime. I didn’t have the mental bandwidth or the time to write 400 page novels but I DID have the time and the brain power to write a short story every month.
Short stories can be a burst of muse food. I can try different things, experiment with different styles and techniques, explore different subgenres of romance. I can work through an idea or premise fairly quickly.
Which is why I currently use short stories to keep myself focused while writing series.
One of the common things I hear from newer writers is they can’t be restrained to one niche, one style, one tone. Their muse has to be FREE.
That feeling doesn’t go away merely because a story/series does well and a writer finds a readership. My cyborg romance reading buddies look to me to write cyborg romances. I love cyborg romance and am happy to give these reading buddies what they want.
But, once in a while, I have the urge to write tentacle romance. Or an idea for an extremely bloody horror romance crowds into my brain. Or a gargoyle romance premise grabs me and won’t let me go. I MUST write it.
I have a set schedule for my cyborg romances. I can’t spend too much time on these other projects, projects only I want written. I CAN, however, spend a week on one of them and write a 60 page short story. As I’m writing this story for my eyes only, I don’t have to allocate 3 more weeks to polishing it, revising it, having it edited. I can write it and set it aside and focus on the cyborg romance.
My muse is happy. I’ve stretched myself writing-wise. I’m fulfilled as a writer, excited about this awesome career, and I can bring that joy to my longer projects.
***
Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/
Other Chameles view him as the enemy.
She sees the warrior hero he never believed he could be.
* * *
Tolui is a Warlord in search of a planet to rule. He has been leading his fellow clones in a stealth battle, fighting for both control of the Chamele sector and the right to exist. The brave warriors he commands warrant respect, and they deserve the best.
That best isn’t the barren, dangerous terrain on Chamele 4. When Tolui crashes on that planet’s surface, he’s determined to leave it as soon as possible. The tiny human female rescuing him might be as beautiful and as wild as the land she inhabits, but her flowing words, trusting gaze, and enthralling submission won’t stop him from rejoining the war.
After many solar cycles of living alone, Lea is overjoyed when a tall, scarred, muscular warrior falls from the sky. Her savage stranger is strong and severe, and he makes her feel safe, an emotion she hasn’t experienced in a long, long time.
He also insists they must part. Before they do, she’ll show him the splendor of her home, and she’ll enjoy his big form, collecting passionate moments she can revisit when she’s solitary once more.
Every additional moment Lea and Tolui spend together increases the chance they’ll both die. Lea is being chased by female-hating fiends. Tolui is being hunted by the best bounty hunters in the universe. War will soon arrive on their threshold, and the blood spilled might be their own.
* * *
Warlord’s Mercy is based on a much shorter story sharing the same title.
It is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a villain turned hero and a brave, chatty heroine set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
Warlord’s Mercy is the fifth of six core stories in the Chamele Barbarian Warlord series.
Book 1: Warlord Sky
Book 2: Warlord’s Bounty
Book 3: Warlord Unarmed
Book 4: Warlord Reunited
Book 5: Warlord’s Mercy
Book 6: Warlord’s Return
Buy Now:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0886K65F9
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0886K65F9
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0886K65F9
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-mercy/id1511995733
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warlords-mercy-cynthia-sax/1116524052
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/warlord-s-mercy-1
SmashWords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1020349
Topics: Short Stories, Writing Tips | Comments Off on Short Stories – How I Stay Focused On One Series
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom And Character Growth
Spoiler Alert: This post will talk about scenes from Jurassic World and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. If you haven’t seen these two movies, you might wish to avoid this post.
I love reading or hearing about genetic engineering. I also love dinosaurs. So I greatly enjoyed both Jurassic World movies.
I didn’t expect to see character growth yet I did…in ONE of the characters. Owen’s character arc was a mess. I didn’t find it at all logical. The relationship arc was also a mess. The break up between the two movies didn’t fit with either of their characters and it felt like lazy writing.
But Claire’s character arc? WOW. It was impressive.
At the beginning of Jurassic World, the first movie, Claire is completely corporate. She likes to be in total control, prefers things neat and tidy and organized, views the dinosaurs as assets, rather than living beings. Facts and logic are valued by her. She wears suits and high heels, has a short neat hairstyle, perfect makeup, perfect nails.
Her relationships with her subordinates are cool and emotionless. When her nephews come to visit, she puts the job first. Her main goal is to advance in her career. She is living for herself.
Then the Indominus rex, a newly genetically designed dinosaur, breaks loose. This disaster forces her to realize she never truly had control. It was an illusion. The more she tries to regain the control she thought she had, the more danger they are all placed into. She finally relents, accepting the chaos.
As Claire works with Owen to help save the people in the park, the situation gets messier and messier. Her clothing and physical state gets messier also. This outward change reflects her inward growth. She sees the dinosaurs as living beings. She puts people first. She is willing to sacrifice everything, including her life, for others.
In Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, we see how much the experience in the first movie changed her. Claire has founded a charity to help protect the dinosaurs. She owns practical shoes/boots, dresses neatly but more casually, has grown her hair long. Her relationship with her subordinates is much warmer. She brings them coffee, thinks of them. One of her first acts is to appeal to a politician’s emotions, something she would have never done before the disaster.
Claire shows yet again she’s willing to sacrifice everything for others. She is more in charge in the second movie, more confident, more protective, and more ready to take on the permanent care of other people (like Maisie).
Over these two movies, Claire’s character has progressed from someone not many people would cheer for or like to a character who is very much a heroine we can rally behind. That’s great character building.
This is SO notable that she went from not even appearing on the first movie’s poster to appearing as though she’s saving Owen in the poster for the second movie.
***
Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/
Doc’s Orders
She wants both sides of her cyborg—the medic AND the beast.
A fully functional cyborg is balanced. His machine half and his organic half work together to produce the perfect warrior.
Doc isn’t fully functional.
The G Model operates at the two extremes. When his machine is in complete control, he’s the logic-driven medic, saving lifespans. Once his organics take charge, he becomes the savage beast…and beings die.
Both sides of Doc want to be the first to claim his female.
Allinen is one of the few beings in her small settlement who wasn’t born with a fated mate. Determined to belong somewhere, she has crafted a plan to leave the planet.
That plan doesn’t involve a huge stormy-eyed male who alternates between cool seduction and out-of-control ravishment. Doc isn’t her fated mate. Allinen knows that. But his dual nature and forbidden embraces tempt her to forget forever and indulge in more immediate delights.
Neither side of Doc views their relationship as being temporary. Her conflicted cyborg is prepared to battle her family, her planet and death itself to keep her.
Buy Now:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/Docs-Orders-Cyborg-Space-Exploration-ebook/dp/B07RML2WG1
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Docs-Orders-Cyborg-Space-Exploration-ebook/dp/B07RML2WG1
Apple/iTunes:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/docs-orders/id1463105812
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/docs-orders-cynthia-sax/1131529760
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/doc-s-orders
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/938342
Topics: Movie Reviews, Writing Tips | Comments Off on Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom And Character Growth
Writing Romance And #MeToo
Note: For ease of discussion, I’ll refer to romances as being between one female and one male. My points apply to almost all other relationship constructs also. (Almost because this is writing and there are no absolutes with writing.)
Some people have been questioning if women who write and/or read Romance can be supporters of the #MeToo movement. Our fictional men sometimes don’t ask permission before they touch their heroines. How can we request more from the men in our real lives? Doesn’t supporting #MeToo while reading/writing these types of stories make us hypocrites?
There are two HUGE reasons I see no conflicts between writing/reading Romance and supporting #MeToo.
1) We’re Writing/Reading FICTION.
I write about blowing up inhabited planets. That doesn’t mean I would blow up the Earth if I got the opportunity. I write about decapitating bad guys. In reality, I am undecided about whether or not I support the death penalty (a more humane death) for severe crimes.
Mystery writers and readers usually aren’t pro-murder. Horror writers and readers usually aren’t pro-spooky-clowns-in-sewers. SciFi writers and readers usually aren’t in support of robots taking over the world.
Why are Romance writers and readers held to a different standard?
We shouldn’t be, yet, for some bizarre reason, we are.
2) We Often Experience The Heroine’s Inner Thoughts And Emotions In Romance Novels
This is a HUGE difference between Romance Novels and reality.
Many Romance Novels are written partially or entirely from the female character’s point of view. We experience the female character’s inner thoughts and emotions. We know she wants and is enjoying whatever the hero is doing to her.
The men we meet face-to-face in our daily lives don’t experience our inner thoughts and our emotions. Until humans develop mind reading abilities, men have to use words and other means of communication to determine what women want. They should ask permission before touching us.
Story Reasons For Consent In Romance Novels
Romance Novels are, as I mentioned, fiction. Do what you need to do to tell the story you want to tell in the best way you can.
But there ARE story reasons for having consent in Romance novels.
Two of my faves are…
1) It Increases The Likelihood There’s A Believable Happy Ever After.
If the hero doesn’t listen to the heroine about a simple thing like whether or not she wants to be touched, he likely won’t listen to her about anything else. That’s a HUGE problem in a relationship, a core issue that would take many pages and a great deal of skill to tackle.
I prefer to write about a variety of issues (like fear of loss or trust issues or other things). Most of my heroes gain consent first.
and
2) Listening IS A Big Part Of The Fantasy For Many Readers
Often part of a romance hero’s appeal is he is focused on the heroine. He listens to her. He somehow knows what she wants, what she needs. He asks what she likes and, again, he LISTENS.
Many times, the difference between a Romance hero and a Romance villain is the villain is focused on himself and the hero is focused on others (including the heroine). If the hero doesn’t listen to others, he often resembles the villain. That’s a HUGE hurdle to overcome.
Again, I’d rather write about a variety of issues, not just that one.
Confirming Consent In Romance Novels
I try my best to ensure there’s consent in my stories. I haven’t always done this well and I’m certain I will make mistakes in the future with consent (again, my stories are fiction and reading buddies know the heroine’s inner thoughts and emotion). There are many writers in Romanceland doing a better job of this than I am.
Here are some tactics I use and I’ve seen other writers use…
1) The First Sex Scene Starts In The Heroine’s Point-Of-View
When possible, I write the first sex scene from the heroine’s point-of-view. This ensures readers know what the heroine is feeling and thinking. It reassures us she wants sex with the hero. Nothing is happening that she doesn’t desire.
2) The Heroine Touches First
In Dark Cure, my November release, my heroine zaps anyone who physically touches her or any of her medics without permission. My hero pursues my heroine but he doesn’t touch her. SHE touches HIM first. (She also gives him permission to touch her.)
Does this make him less dominant? No. He’s much larger, stronger. She knows he’s waiting because he has chosen to wait, not because he can’t overpower her. I find this control to be super sexy and a sign of respect, which is also super sexy (grins).
3) The Heroine Says Yes
In Dark Cure, the hero outright asks the heroine if he can touch her. That exchange isn’t necessary in Romance Novels (again because we experience the heroine’s inner thoughts). It can be implied with her saying, “Yes. Yes. Yes.” or “More” or “Harder”, all of the sexy words.
It can also be implied with her physical responses. She grips his shoulders, holding him to her. She wraps her legs around him. She moves toward him, not away from him.
The hero should ALWAYS stop sexual advances if the heroine says “No.” ALWAYS. The heroine might send mixed signals, pushing him away while saying “More” (again, this is FICTION and we experience her true emotions) but if she says “No”, sexy times are over.
Don’t be afraid to have the heroine say “No” and have the sexy times stop. Sex-interrupted is a powerful tool. Yes, it can frustrate readers so use it sparingly and skillfully. But it can also increase tension and advance character/plot.
Note: If your heroine has a history of abuse, she will likely say “No” at some point in the story. That’s often a necessary scene because her biggest fear is likely saying “No” and her love interest not respecting that “No”. She needs to know her hero will listen to her.
4) There Is A Pause Where She Could Say “No.”
I often have these pauses in stories when the hero is super dominant and super aggressive. The couple is well on their way to full out sexy times and he’ll pause. He might ask her what she wants. Or he’ll merely pull back and she knows he has doubts (as we are in her point-of-view).
She’ll then coax him to continue. Or maybe she’ll cuss at him to continue. (grins) Or maybe they WILL stop. It depends on my heroine’s character.
The point is she can stop the encounter at that time. She is in control of the sexy times and her body.
5) The Hero Tells The Heroine What He Plans To Do With Her
Oh my word. Is there anything sexier than a hero who tells his heroine every naughty thing he plans to do with her BEFORE he does it? (fans heated face) Of course, this gives the heroine an opportunity to say “No” or to tell him she’d prefer he do XX rather than YY. But it also builds anticipation. And it communicates he’s been thinking about her. That’s HOT.
6) She Communicates Her Secret Desires In Advance
This is a common plot device in Dubious Consent Romances. The CEO’s Assistant gets drunk and sends a sexy message to her normally uptight, rigorously proper CEO, telling him every deliciously indecent thing she wants to do to him. A Mafia hitman drives a waitress home one evening and she leaves her notebook in his car. In it, she has written about her abduction fantasies. The hunky neighbor overhears the heroine talking to her best friend about how she wants to have sex with a stranger but she doesn’t know how to arrange that.
Again, this is FICTION and we experience her inner thoughts.
Want to increase the tension a little more? Have a bit of time pass between the communication and the sexy times. The CEO acts as though he didn’t receive the message, treating our assistant heroine as brusquely as he usually does. The waitress doesn’t see the Mafia hitman for a day or two. The sexy neighbor invites the sex with a stranger fantasizing heroine on a normal date.
The point is to make consent fun and interesting, adding power to the plot and to the relationship. Our hero can still take what he wants. He merely ensures she wants it too.
Can Romance writers/readers be advocates for #MeToo? Of course, we can. I see no conflict between writing/reading Romance and supporting #MeToo.
Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/
The Cyborg’s Secret Baby
A fierce cyborg warrior and his curvy human female share a no-longer-so-little secret.
Stealth, a K Model cyborg, knows his passion for Zebrina, the commander’s human daughter, is forbidden, yet he can’t resist the curvy female. He craves her touch, cherishes her sounds of pleasure, would do anything to keep her safe.
When he’s faced with the choice of protecting his fragile human or living to see the next sunrise, he chooses her, always her, sending Zebrina halfway across the universe to safety. He doesn’t realize their stolen moments had consequences neither of them believed possible.
After hearing her warrior died in battle, Zebrina focuses on the last gift he gave her. Doing what is right for their child is her sole priority. She will put their son’s happiness first, even if that means choosing another male over the love of her life.
The Cyborg’s Secret Baby is a STAND-ALONE story loosely connected to the Cyborg Sizzle series.
It is also a Second Chance Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, often-violent universe.
Buy Now:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Cyborgs-Secret-Baby-Stars-ebook/dp/B07F2NK6D4
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cyborgs-Secret-Baby-Stars-ebook/dp/B07F2NK6D4
Apple/iTunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-cyborgs-secret-baby/id1404800721
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-cyborgs-secret-baby-cynthia-sax/1128976169
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-cyborg-s-secret-baby
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/870968
Topics: Writing Tips | Comments Off on Writing Romance And #MeToo
Talking Tropes And The Cyborg’s Secret Baby At Everyday Fangirl
I’m talking about tropes at Everyday Fangirl.
Here’s a snippet…
“A trope is a common plot device. Popular romance tropes include enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, Beauty and the Beast, duck out of water, billionaire hero and fated mate/love at first sight.
Tropes often get a bad name and, sure, when written poorly, stories using tropes can be cliché, boring or predictable. However, that can be true of any plot devices, original or not.
When written well, stories using tropes are magical. Tropes can be found in some of the best written, most loved stories in Romanceland.”
Read the full post here: https://everydayfangirl.wordpress.com/2018/09/28/guest-post-fun-with-tropes/
Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/
The Cyborg’s Secret Baby
A fierce cyborg warrior and his curvy human female share a no-longer-so-little secret.
Stealth, a K Model cyborg, knows his passion for Zebrina, the commander’s human daughter, is forbidden, yet he can’t resist the curvy female. He craves her touch, cherishes her sounds of pleasure, would do anything to keep her safe.
When he’s faced with the choice of protecting his fragile human or living to see the next sunrise, he chooses her, always her, sending Zebrina halfway across the universe to safety. He doesn’t realize their stolen moments had consequences neither of them believed possible.
After hearing her warrior died in battle, Zebrina focuses on the last gift he gave her. Doing what is right for their child is her sole priority. She will put their son’s happiness first, even if that means choosing another male over the love of her life.
The Cyborg’s Secret Baby is a STAND-ALONE story loosely connected to the Cyborg Sizzle series.
It is also a Second Chance Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, often-violent universe.
Buy Now:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Cyborgs-Secret-Baby-Stars-ebook/dp/B07F2NK6D4
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cyborgs-Secret-Baby-Stars-ebook/dp/B07F2NK6D4
Apple/iTunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-cyborgs-secret-baby/id1404800721
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-cyborgs-secret-baby-cynthia-sax/1128976169
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-cyborg-s-secret-baby
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/870968
Topics: Guest Post | Comments Off on Talking Tropes And The Cyborg’s Secret Baby At Everyday Fangirl
Talking Writing And The Cyborg’s Secret Baby With Jessica Coulter Smith
I’ve been interviewed by the fabulous Jessica Coulter Smith!
Here’s a snippet…
“What is the scariest thing you face as a writer? How do you handle it?
Cynthia Sax: The thing I fear most as a writer is disappointing readers. I fear this so much I often have trouble writing the next story.
How I work around this is ensuring I have the next story already written before the current story releases. There’s always one story between the most recent story, the one I’m currently receiving reader feedback on, and the story I’m currently writing. That distance allows the words to flow.”
Read The Full Interview Here: https://jessicacoultersmith.wordpress.com/2018/09/12/interview-with-cynthia-sax-and-a-peek-at-the-cyborgs-secret-baby-cyborgs-scifi-authorinterview-romancebooks/
Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/
The Cyborg’s Secret Baby
A fierce cyborg warrior and his curvy human female share a no-longer-so-little secret.
Stealth, a K Model cyborg, knows his passion for Zebrina, the commander’s human daughter, is forbidden, yet he can’t resist the curvy female. He craves her touch, cherishes her sounds of pleasure, would do anything to keep her safe.
When he’s faced with the choice of protecting his fragile human or living to see the next sunrise, he chooses her, always her, sending Zebrina halfway across the universe to safety. He doesn’t realize their stolen moments had consequences neither of them believed possible.
After hearing her warrior died in battle, Zebrina focuses on the last gift he gave her. Doing what is right for their child is her sole priority. She will put their son’s happiness first, even if that means choosing another male over the love of her life.
The Cyborg’s Secret Baby is a STAND-ALONE story loosely connected to the Cyborg Sizzle series.
It is also a Second Chance Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, often-violent universe.
Pre-order Now:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Cyborgs-Secret-Baby-Stars-ebook/dp/B07F2NK6D4
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cyborgs-Secret-Baby-Stars-ebook/dp/B07F2NK6D4
Apple/iTunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-cyborgs-secret-baby/id1404800721
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-cyborgs-secret-baby-cynthia-sax/1128976169
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-cyborg-s-secret-baby
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/870968
Topics: Writing Tips | Comments Off on Talking Writing And The Cyborg’s Secret Baby With Jessica Coulter Smith
Write What You Feel
I’m at Coffee Time Romance, talking about writing the emotions you know.
Here’s a snippet…
“For readers to feel something during a scene, I, as the writer, have to feel something. (Every writer is different so this might not work for you but this is my method.) I have to pour my own emotions into the story. I do this by thinking about a time when I felt similar to the characters I’m writing about.”
Read The Full Post Here: https://coffeetimeromance.com/CoffeeThoughts/adaug2018-cynthia-sax/
Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/
The Cyborg’s Secret Baby
A fierce cyborg warrior and his curvy human female share a no-longer-so-little secret.
Stealth, a K Model cyborg, knows his passion for Zebrina, the commander’s human daughter, is forbidden, yet he can’t resist the curvy female. He craves her touch, cherishes her sounds of pleasure, would do anything to keep her safe.
When he’s faced with the choice of protecting his fragile human or living to see the next sunrise, he chooses her, always her, sending Zebrina halfway across the universe to safety. He doesn’t realize their stolen moments had consequences neither of them believed possible.
After hearing her warrior died in battle, Zebrina focuses on the last gift he gave her. Doing what is right for their child is her sole priority. She will put their son’s happiness first, even if that means choosing another male over the love of her life.
The Cyborg’s Secret Baby is a STAND-ALONE story loosely connected to the Cyborg Sizzle series.
It is also a Second Chance Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, often-violent universe.
Pre-order Now:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Cyborgs-Secret-Baby-Stars-ebook/dp/B07F2NK6D4
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cyborgs-Secret-Baby-Stars-ebook/dp/B07F2NK6D4
Apple/iTunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-cyborgs-secret-baby/id1404800721
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-cyborgs-secret-baby-cynthia-sax/1128976169
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-cyborg-s-secret-baby
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/870968
Topics: Writing Tips | Comments Off on Write What You Feel
How Many Books Should Be In A Series?
Note: This post is about series that are self-published. If you are working with a publisher, that publisher will likely decide how many books are in your series. You might have series canceled early or the publisher might convince you to extend it. You have little control over this (which is one of the reason I currently prefer self-publishing).
When writers are discussing series, the most common question asked is… how many books should be in a series? The short and dirty answer is… as many as you need to tell the story you want to tell.
There are no rules to writing books or to crafting a series. If there is an overall arc (and there doesn’t need to be one in a series), that should preferably be resolved. It is one of the reasons readers are reading the series. But some gifted writers have broken that ‘rule’ also.
Do what makes sense for you and for your series.
I’ll, however, share what works for me. That might or might not work for you but it will give you things to think about when crafting your series.
Creating Stopping Points
The cyborg series currently has 12 stories in it. I plan to write many more. BUT if you analyze that series, you’ll see there are possible stopping points for it every three or four books.
I could have stopped the series after the stories for the three original cyborgs were resolved, for example. I could have stopped it after the mass cyborg rebellion as another example. I would have written those ‘last’ stories differently but I could have ended the series at those points.
This gives me flexibility. If I’m no longer passionate about the series or readers no longer enjoy the stories (I often judge interest in the series by pre-order numbers), I can pause or stop the series at these points.
Extending A Series
If I’m still loving a series and readers are enjoying it also, I will often extend it.
The Refuge/Dark Thoughts series was originally a four-story series (Dark Thoughts, Dark Flight, Dark Strength, Dark Fire). At the end of Dark Fire, the baddies introduced in Dark Flight have all been confronted. Kralj, Dark Thought’s hero, has traveled his complete character arc. If someone merely read those four stories, they should be satisfied.
But there are plenty of secondary characters whose stories I can tell. The Medic captured me in Dark Strength. I knew I HAD to tell her story. I see Dark Cure, that fifth longer story (Dark Warlord is a shorter story), as a bonus story. It isn’t part of the core series. (I also see it as a bridge story between the Refuge series and the upcoming Barbarian Warlord series.)
Ending (Or Pausing) The Series
Readers become upset if series aren’t completed. I make that a goal of mine.
If I love a brand new series but it isn’t (YET) appealing to readers, I will pause it at one of the stopping points. This might mean writing two more stories in the series, which won’t have huge numbers of readers (at the moment). I still write until that stopping point.
Why?
Because I don’t want to upset the few readers I do have. I feel I owe them a complete story arc. Also, some series take extra time to connect with readers (both the Cyborg series and the Refuge series didn’t really catch on until three books had been released). I’ll give any series two more stories.
How do you decide how many stories should be in a series?
Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/
Dark Fire
What the Beast wants, the Beast gets.
Dare’s savage nature has made him an outcast among his kind. The silver-scaled Dracheon warrior can’t control his inner beast. It’s too strong. When his primitive instincts told him his destined mate was on Carinae E, he had no choice. He had to travel to the outlaw planet. There, he hoped to meet a female powerful enough to survive his Drache.
He finds Faylee, a delicate little human.
Faylee is the best thief on the planet. Everyone she encounters mistakes her for a young boy…except for a tall, shiny warrior from off-planet. When she gazes into Dare’s flame-filled eyes, he makes her feel, for the first time, like a desirable female. The fire-breathing male has her yearning for hot kisses, fierce embraces, and a future filled with love. She doesn’t realize mating with him might be the last thing she ever does.
Dare’s beast isn’t the only danger on the planet. An enemy from the past has returned and he’s determined to stop Dare and Faylee…permanently. They’ll need luck and the assistance of every warrior in the Refuge to stay alive.
Dark Fire is a STANDALONE SciFi Romance set in a gritty, dark world.
Buy Today:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Fire-Refuge-Book-4-ebook/dp/B07CW2Y8B7/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Fire-Refuge-Book-4-ebook/dp/B07CW2Y8B7/
Apple/iTunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dark-fire/id1381353384
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-fire-cynthia-sax/1128614574
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dark-fire-22
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/824382
Topics: Writing Tips | Comments Off on How Many Books Should Be In A Series?
You Have Written A Series. Now What?
Many readers, myself included, LOVE reading series. I enjoy delving into a story, knowing I will be living in that world over many books. These series could be standalones in the same world, featuring a new couple or more per book, or they could be series with the same couples or more having adventures over many books.
To make series readers happy, writers should tell them the books are part of a series. This sounds like a no-brainer but there are SO many writers who don’t do this.
How can writers tell readers their books are part of a series?
Designate The Book As Part Of A Series
When you load books at Amazon, there is a field to input the series name. Ensure you use the EXACT same series name for each book in the series. You then give it a whole number (1, 2, 3, etc) to tell Amazon where the book should go in the series.
Shorter works are treated the same as your regular length works. You have to rely on other factors to tell readers they are shorter works (pricing, description, etc). I’ve heard calling the story a novella might cause issues at Amazon. Amazon, for some bizarre reason, doesn’t like putting novellas in series. I call mine “a short companion story” and Amazon, thus far, has accepted that.
Connecting A Series
Once you have two or more stories in a series, connect them at Amazon. This will give you a series bar under the blurb, above the also boughts. Readers LOVE this. I like to read ALL of the books in my favorite series, preferably in order. The series bar tells me the order and it allows me to easily buy every book.
Amazon claims they’ll connect the stories automatically. This rarely happens for me. I almost always have to contact KDP support and ask them to link the new stories. It is well worth the email.
Listing The Series Titles Elsewhere
I also list the series titles in order in the From The Author section of the Amazon product listing. Some writers put this information in the blurb.
The series order is listed on my website and in other places. I, of course, have the series titles in the back of my books.
Linking To The Next Story
Linking to book 2 in the series in the back of book 1 is AWESOME for me as a reader. I don’t have to look up the book. All I have to do is click on the link.
Because I currently have two series on the go, I don’t normally have the next story in the series written and available for pre-order. I link to my website instead. When I DO have the next story available, I will load a new book file with the updated link. (Sometimes I’m slow on this – yes, I am a bad writer).
How do you tell readers your stories are part of a series?
Subscribe To My Monthly Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/
Dark Fire
What the Beast wants, the Beast gets.
Dare’s savage nature has made him an outcast among his kind. The silver-scaled Dracheon warrior can’t control his inner beast. It’s too strong. When his primitive instincts told him his destined mate was on Carinae E, he had no choice. He had to travel to the outlaw planet. There, he hoped to meet a female powerful enough to survive his Drache.
He finds Faylee, a delicate little human.
Faylee is the best thief on the planet. Everyone she encounters mistakes her for a young boy…except for a tall, shiny warrior from off-planet. When she gazes into Dare’s flame-filled eyes, he makes her feel, for the first time, like a desirable female. The fire-breathing male has her yearning for hot kisses, fierce embraces, and a future filled with love. She doesn’t realize mating with him might be the last thing she ever does.
Dare’s beast isn’t the only danger on the planet. An enemy from the past has returned and he’s determined to stop Dare and Faylee…permanently. They’ll need luck and the assistance of every warrior in the Refuge to stay alive.
Dark Fire is a STANDALONE SciFi Romance set in a gritty, dark world.
Buy Today:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Fire-Refuge-Book-4-ebook/dp/B07CW2Y8B7/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Fire-Refuge-Book-4-ebook/dp/B07CW2Y8B7/
Apple/iTunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dark-fire/id1381353384
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-fire-cynthia-sax/1128614574
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dark-fire-22
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/824382
Topics: Writing Tips | Comments Off on You Have Written A Series. Now What?
Interview With Lea Kirk
I sat down (virtually) with Lea Kirk for a short interview. Today is the release day for Lea Kirk’s Collision, a SciFi Enemies-to-Lovers Romance. I LOVE enemies-to-lovers romances!
Cynthia Sax: What makes Fander, your hero, so super sexy?
Lea Kirk: Well, Fander’s big, and green, and there’s a something different about his anatomy that’ll make most women smile. I could tell you what it is, but wouldn’t it be more fun to discover that secret for yourself?
Cynthia Sax: Ohhh…you have me intrigued! What is your favorite line from Collision?
Lea Kirk: I have to pick one, huh? All right, I think it would have to be when Fander says to Flora, “We don’t have to pretend anymore.” His words signal the beginning of something new for them. A change in direction in their lives, their relationship, and the realization that they are fully committed to facing that change together.
Cynthia Sax: Awww…that’s romantic! Is Collision part of a series and will you be writing more stories in this series?
Lea Kirk: Yes and yes. Collision is the third book in my Prophecy series. There will be more stories in this universe, but Collision wraps up the series arc. The rest of the stories will focus on the “new normal” for Earth, Matir, and Anferthia. I’m getting excited about my next story. It’s a Christmas story featuring my hero and heroine from my first book, Prophecy, and their newly adopted children—particularly Maggie, the youngest. I really, really hope to have it out this year. If not, then I’ll aim for the 2019 holiday season.
Cynthia Sax: That ROCKS! I don’t see very many Christmas SciFi Romances. Do you have any advice for new writers?
Lea Kirk: Don’t give up. Keep writing. Immerse yourself in a community (local or online, depending on your location) of other writers in your genre. If you write a subgenre, like sci-fi romance, get to know other authors who also write in that subgenre. And lastly, if you write a series, and you’re not a fast writer, listen to everyone who tells you to finish writing the stories first before releasing. I managed to get the first two books out in 2016, plus a short story. Collision is just now being released two-and-a-half years after Prophecy. I wish I had listened to this advice.
Cynthia Sax: I should really take that advice. I release as I write and sometimes I write myself into corners. Thank you for joining us today, Lea Kirk!
Lea Kirk’s Website: http://www.leakirk.com/
*****************************************************************************
A heart-rending loss…
Flora Bock will never forgive the Anferthian invaders for murdering her birth-parents. Growing up with the grandson of her sworn enemies is living a nightmare—until the day she sees him through the eyes of a young woman. But giving her heart to him is the ultimate betrayal of her parents’ memory.
A life in peril…
There are precious few places in the galaxy where Fander K’nil is safe. One look into Flora’s beautiful, hate-filled eyes is proof enough that Terr is not one of those places. He must keep her at a distance and stay alive long enough to fulfill his destiny. No matter what his heart desires.
An empire at stake…
Just as Fander and Flora begin to discover the depth of their feelings for each other, they are thrust into a deadly game of politics and assassination with an enemy who stops at nothing to stay in power. With the lives of everyone they love at risk, they must find a way to avert a new invasion before it’s too late—even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice.
Buy Now:
On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D6YWSY7/
On Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1128754481
On iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1387541928
On Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/collision-46
Topics: Author Interviews | 1 Comment »
