CRAFT: Sharpening your writing

I used Grammarly to grammar check this post, because even the best pair of eyes can miss something. And mine are not that great!

The other day I was cleaning out my files in preparation for the dreaded tax filing and I found a pile of writing magazines I hadn't remembered I had.  One article jumped out at me immediately so I sat myself down and had a good look through it.

It spoke about 25 ways you can sharpen your writing (The Writer, November 2010), and it was written by Ronald Kovach, who is an editor with The Writer Magazine.

I have to say it was an incredibly insightful article and I intend to keep it close when I'm editing and revising all of my manuscripts.  He was talking about writing articles for publication, but I think these rules work equally as well for fiction writing. Here's the short version:

First and foremost Kovach says it's important to "send good signals" to your readers. He says you must present a piece of work that is interesting and well organised, but the most important thing is to think of the readers first. It sounds simple doesn't it? But apparently many writers write with agents, editors and publishers in mind, and forget about the reader. Perish the thought! So if you follow his guide, you'll more likely end up with a better story to  hold your audience.

1. Be inviting. By this he says you need to invite your readers in by presenting an engaging beginning.
2. Don't give too many details in the opening paragraph.
3. Don't overdo the back story.   Weave it in gradually.
4. Try to craft an opening sentence that "engages the reader's sense of drama".
5.  Don't go off on tangents...make the opening smooth.
6. Be clear. Make your sentences simple and graceful.
7. Are you assuming too much of your readers? Make sure you set up events and people so that readers can put them into context.
8. Provide specific  examples to bring out points.  (In fiction, this could be the use of metaphor or simile)
9. Avoid run-on sentences. 
10. Explain by showing - description, the five senses, the emotions. Not telling by giving every minute detail.
11. Add energy to your sentences. Use strong verbs.  Do a final check of your MS looking at your verbs before you press send.
12. Avoid the use of passives. Yes, we all know this one!
13. Think about the order that you place your words. Kovach's says "Beginning a paragraph with the substance of what someone says, or the start of a quotation, can add energy and impact to a sentence."
14. End your sentences and/or your paragraphs with a pop!
15. Short sentences can help rhythm as long as you don't overuse them
16. Look out for repetition or too much elaboration. Frankly - it's boring.
17. The word "and" signifies multiple examples. Can you lose a few?
18. Is the phrase in "parentheses" needed?
19. Beware the temptation of info dump.
20. Have you put too much information in? Written too much? Does the MS finish in the right place?
21. Avoid wordy phrases and clutter - and redundant words. Lost the fat.
22. Watch for phrases that don't add meaning to the sentences.
23. Use positive language.
24. Proof read. Proof read. Proof read. Check all your spelling and facts. Slow down and READ EVERY WORD.
25. If you've cut all the words you think you can, but need to cut more, try cutting the conclusion/ending. It can often work without seeming too abrupt.

I just have.

Now you might have noticed my opening line. Because I have put it there, the lovely people from Grammarly have given me a gift card ($15 Amazon) and I'm going to pay it forward.

Leave your best tip for sharpening your writing or revising your manuscript and I'll choose one to award the prize to you!

When writing isn't simple anymore - Cynnara Tregarth

Today I have the great pleasure to welcome one of my first people to encourage me in my writing. I can honestly say I wouldn't have finished my first book without the help and support of this lovely lady. This is a very personal and inspiring post and we are privileged to have her share with us.



WHEN WRITING ISN'T SIMPLE ANYMORE
When I started writing a decade ago, the words used to pour from my fingertips onto the page. It was
  the writing process seemed to be. Looking back now, I laugh and I miss that easiness. When you’re unpublished, you write simply to write. It’s the most wonderful thing in the world. You have these stories, these ideas that you just know will sell and that will get you a contract. So, you write, then you write some more, then you keep writing. If you’re very, very lucky, a professional writer in your field will warn you against burnout and how to pace yourself when things get too much. I had that, but then I had real life crash down around me.
With each book I wrote, I tried to write better. It’s every writer’s goal. But I also wanted to entice new readers into my stories. Anyone who knows me, knows I don’t like editing—it’s not that I don’t like the process—I just have this thing—once I’m done with a story, I’m OVER it. I don’t want to go back for a while, and I’d like to do something else. Edits do not allow for that. *sigh* But I slog on and learn more from those evil things. In my career, I learned from other authors to watch for burnout and to learn to protect myself when it came to contracts and other things. In many ways, I did, but health wise—I hadn’t. When my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer, I was just coming back from a minor bout of depression. Since we writers write alone, but talk online a lot, it sometimes is hard to talk about things like depression, or loneliness. Then with the day job too, it made things harder as well. For six months, I was on a precipice with my mom—hoping she wouldn’t die, but knowing inside that she would. You have to understand that she was my first cheerleader in my writing. When I told her I was writing romance novels and trying to get them published, my mom was so excited that she bought me Word for my computer. My mom wanted me to be in Harlequin, LoveSwept and the like. Why? She loved reading her romances and mysteries—and so did I. It was where she and I bonded through the years—our love of reading.

When mom passed away that January, I felt something snap in my writing. I became better at putting things together, but I was missing something. Plus, my focus was shot. You have to understand, I could be online with friends in IM talking and write over 4k in 5 hours, no problem. Suddenly, I could barely put out 1k in the same amount of time. Something was wrong. I was grieving, or so I thought. Finally, I got professional help. I’m grateful. Yes, I was grieving, but moreover, there was more to it than that. Seems that my past had caught up with me and my mom’s death was the breaking point. It also seemed that my coping techniques through the years helped me to cover up something important—I was diagnosed with ADD, attention deficit disorder. Talk about a shocker. More importantly, talk about something I didn’t want to admit to having or believing could affect my writing. But there it was, looming over me, mocking my ability to put down a paragraph. It laughed at me as I struggled with edits on my next book. It giggled and told me I sucked as I took one year to finish a novella. One year! I never took that long to write a story before!

Welcome to my new world of writing. It took me years of therapy, classes on dealing with my ADD, and medication to get a grip on myself. Plus, technology has become my friend in this writing world. The world of writing went from simple to the hardest thing I could ever do. Now, I’ve made it so it’s not as hard as it once was. It will never be as simple as the past, but I’m okay with that now. This time last year, I’d be wishing for the old me still. But the new me has a voice recognition program that she paid out good money for and loves. It helps to transcribe things—and it does work a lot better than I thought it would. I do need a better digital recorder, but that will come in time. I can use a wireless headset with it and it’s fantastic! I can use my smart phone to dictate and then transfer it to the computer. *grins* I also learned it is easier for me to edit things on a page
then to start with a fresh, blank page. The only things that are easy for me write are blog posts. Silly, right? But for some reason, blog posts are able to roll off my fingertips now when I used to really struggle with them. I can’t do five of them a week, but I can write two to three of them and feel happy with myself.

So why do I point this out? Because all writers will face a crisis in their writing career—published or not. It’s what you do when it hits that will either bring you to the next level or you might give up and quit. I faced that demon a few times. I really did. But, I realized there were still stories to be told and characters who still talked to me. They need their stories told and I needed to get better so I could tell their stories. I can’t tell you that my way will be your way of dealing with a breakdown or with hitting that wall, but you have to realize—there is always another way around that evil stoppage. Write by hand, dictate to your computer and then type it up as you listen to yourself talk, or even ask if someone can type it up for you. If you can afford voice recognition software like Dragon Naturally Speaking, try it! If you think you need something else—try it! I bought Scrivener and Write Way Pro. Both are fantastic programs and I like them both. Plus, I found I can dictate into either of them. *chuckles* Which means it makes my life even better! More importantly, if you find yourself sluggish, pulling away from everyone, hiding from family and friends—get help. Go to the doctor and tell them you’re not feeling normal. That possibly you’re depressed or something else is wrong with you. Sometimes the wall isn’t a writer’s block—sometimes it’s a physical thing that can be taken care of with medication and some therapy. I’m one of those who had both. In some ways, it’s lucky and unlucky. I’ve had to relearn how to write—which means I had to throw away how I thought I should be, of who I used to be when I wrote before. I wasn’t that person anymore. I had to really embrace the author I am now- someone who has deeper skills, a better grasp of humanity, and knows what she wants to accomplish. I’m not afraid of hitting the wall anymore. I know if I hit it, there are tools all around me to help me get around it, under it or to blast it from here to eternity.

Writing may be simple when you first start. It wouldn’t be fun if it weren’t. It gets more complex the better you get at it. It might slow you down, but it will never stop you. Keep pushing forward. Use new and varied techniques to help you continue that forward pace. Sometimes, you might be surprised what will happen at the end of that first road—a new contract, new friends who push you even more, or even realizing it’s been a decade since your first book has come out. It’s simply amazing what you’ll discover on that journey. Keep writing.

http://www.cynnara.com
Cynnara's FB author page
Cynnara's Twitter Account

Wednesday Wisdom - Writing Sex Scenes with Nicole Murphy

Writing sex scenes – when you should, and when you shouldn’t.

We all know that we romance writers are tarred with the brush of being all about the raunch. Our books are cover-to-cover sex, with those poor little housewives getting all hot and bothered.

And what the hell is wrong with a housewife – any woman, for that matter – enjoying something that she finds arousing?

But that isn’t the topic of today’s discussion. No, today’s is about the sex scene.

A big problem with the above statement is that sometimes they are absolutely right. Sometimes, romance books are full of sex scenes that just shouldn’t be there.

It seems that writers think that in order to be sexy, to show sexual arousal between a couple, that they have to write a sex scene. Not the case. One of my favourite sexy scenes is written by Keri Arthur in her book ‘The Darkest Kiss’. The moment Riley and Quinn see each other is electrifying, and the next couple of pages hot enough to make you fan yourself and yet they never even touch.

So if you don’t HAVE to write a sex scene to show passion, arousal, heat between a couple, when should you write it?

I have a theory and that is that a sex scene needs to follow the same rules of any other scene. In order to hold its place in the story, it needs to achieve at LEAST one of these three things:

• Reveal character
• Develop setting/world building
• Move the plot along

If it’s not going to do at least one of those, I put it to you that it shouldn’t be in the book. A good scene does two. A truly great scene – for example the first sex scene in Jennifer Cruisie’s ‘Welcome to Temptation’ – does all three.

For me a great example of this was Patricia Briggs’ ‘River Marked’ (part of the Mercy Thompson series). In the books preceding, there had been some hot, hot sex. In ‘River Marked’ however, there was none – not detailed anyway. Sure, the characters were having HEAPS of sex but we saw none of it. And why? Because it would have done nothing for the story in terms of character, plot or setting. It just would have been superfluous.

Sure, it would have been GOOD – Patricia Briggs is very good at writing sex scenes. But the scenes in this book would have felt not as hot as in the previous books, because they didn’t belong here.

Knowing it worked for Patricia Briggs meant it would work for me, so in my latest release ‘Arranged to Love’ (Escape Publishing), my h/h have sex three times but I only wrote two sex scenes.

Interestingly, the one I skipped was the very first one. I thought about it, but then discarded it. It wasn’t necessary – the first time they make love is part of the a flashback that sets up the rest of the story and spending pages showing that passion wouldn’t have made the story any better and in fact would have delayed getting to the real action.

I did, however, put a lot of effort into ensuring the passion between them was obvious from the start and that the sex scenes I did write were smoking. So far, readers are happy.

Hope you will be too.

Nicole Murphy has been a primary school teacher, bookstore owner, journalist and checkout chick. She grew up reading Tolkien, Lewis and Le Guin; spent her twenties discovering Quick, Lindsey and Deveraux and lives her love of science fiction and fantasy through her involvement with the Conflux science fiction conventions. As Nicoel Murphy (speculative fiction) she’s had more than two dozen short stories published and her urban fantasy trilogy Dream of Asarlai is published by HarperVoyager.

As Elizabeth Dunk (contemporary romance), she’s had two short stories published and her debut contemporary romance ‘Arranged to Love’ is out now via Escape Publishing. She lives with her husband in Queanbeyan, NSW. Visit her website http://nicolermurphy.com

 

Wednesday Wisdom with Suz De Mello

AUTHOR INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

How long have you been writing? Tell us a little about your writing journey.

I had always sensed a creative wellspring inside me but didn’t know how to express myself, even though I’d majored in art and sung in concert choirs and rock bands. Then in 1996 I started writing with the encouragement of a friend, who taught a class at a local college called “Writing for Publication.” I learned about the business of writing, including about “writer’s guidelines.” Until then, I had thought that people simply wrote a manuscript and sent off their work, or perhaps magazine writers went to work, sat in  cubicles and turned out articles. I hadn’t known that each book and magazine publisher puts out a list of exactly what they want, and freelancers read those lists and write to suit the publisher.

Moreover, I learned that romance novels were (and are) the largest fiction genre. At that point romance publishers put out nearly 2000 books annually, and though I hadn’t read much romance, I found myself saying, “Hey, I bet I can write a romance and get it published.”

It turned out that I was right. I was inspired enough to write four complete manuscripts by early 1999, and sold one by the middle of that year, a historical to Zebra Books. After selling two more books to Silhouette, I quit practicing law and started to write full-time.

I’ve had my ups and downs. After churning out six manuscripts in a few months while my father was dying, I hit a wall built out of writers’ block pretty hard. It’s been a struggle ever since, but I’ve sold sixteen complete novels, plus a number of short stories and articles on writing.

In an effort to inject some life into the writing, I started writing erotica about eight years ago. It’s gone well, but not as well as I’d hoped. These days I feel lucky if I manage to put out one novel and one short story annually, which is a pretty pathetic output compared to a lot of authors. But I struggle on.

You write under two author names with different sub genres. That sounds tricky. What are the benefits of going this way? Do you ever get them mixed up?  (I’m starting to do this now, so I’m curious!)

I never get the Sue Swift and Suz deMello personae mixed up, though since my line at Silhouette folded, Sue Swift has become much more racy. The dubious benefit is that readers know to expect a very explicit story with a Suz deMello book.

If I had it to do over again I would not use a pen name. It’s double the promotional annoyance. I have mitigated it somewhat by being pretty open about the fact that Sue=Suz, so I cross-promote most of the time.

However, if I lived in a conservative community I’d have to use a pen name, so i certainly understand why others need one. As it is, I live in California, where most of us don’t judge others on superficial stuff.

Tell us about your latest release.

At the time of this writing, I anticipate the release of the second novel in my “Clan Kilburn’s Vampires” series for Ellora’s Cave—these books are historical vampire erotica set in the eighteenth century. I don’t yet have a pub date for Desire in Tartan, which is the story of an innocent English governess who takes a job tutoring the four children of a Highland laird in a remote castle. She finds herself in a nest of vampires, in love with one of them.

Where did you come up with the idea for this book?

It’s a sequel, so I simply thought a lot about what would happen after Temptation in Tartan ended. I surmised that after Kieran and Lydia, the H&H in Temptation, settle their differences and got their HEA, they’d start having children—and that someone would need to educate them.

How did you research for your story? Was it fun?

OMG I love historical research! It’s one of the main reasons why I prefer to write historicals. I’m fascinated by the way people used to live, when they ate, how they dressed...everything.

I often set my books in Britain, and have traveled there a number of times. Not merely to do research, but to visit family and “refill the well.” I have amassed a lot of material over the years, but still do some online research when I get stuck. I also know a few experts on the place and time in which I generally write.

Is this part of a series? Any plans for other stories based on these characters?

Yes, as I stated, it’s the second novel in what will be a four-book series. I also have written and put out a couple of short stories, and plan at least one more.

What was the hardest part about writing this book?

Dealing with my persistent writers’ block, and if anyone has any hints on how to deal with that, do please send them along.

What was the easiest part?

...sigh...right now I feel as though nothing is easy about writing! Here’s one of my fave quotes about writing from Paul Gallico: "It is only when you open your veins and bleed onto the page a little that you establish contact with your reader."

Favorite Scene?

There’s a fantastic scene in which the formerly shy heroine. Alice, rescues the hero and his compadres from a bloodthirsty band of baobhan-sith.

I especially enjoy stories in which a shy, weak heroine finds her female power and strength. I write them a lot.

Where can readers find out more about you?

I’m highly accessible. Find my books at http://www.suzdemello.com

     For editing services, email me at suzswift@yahoo.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sueswift

Twitter feed for fave reading: @ReadThis4fun

My blog is at http://www.fearlessfastpacedfiction.com

What are you working on now?

The next book in the series, Two Rakes in Tartan, set in Regency-era London.  It’s a kick! I’m already loving it.

And now for the very very personal questions-

Favourite toy?

My lover’s cock. No, take it back. His mind. No, take it back. His flogger. No, take it back...

Favourite food?

Now , this is a really hard question. I could be up all night thinking about this. I’m a vegetarian, but my favorite food is probably corned beef on rye with cole slaw. No, take it back. Szechwan eggplant. No, take it back. Broiled halibut. No, take it back...

Aha! This is it: dark chocolate and good red wine—an unbeatable combo, especially with a few nuts and a little cheese. This is my midnight snack practically every night, and I love it.

Favourite position?

Woof. hahaha! Love it!

If you could have anyone, famous or not - who do you want to get hot and heavy with in a ménage?

Hm. Well, one of my ex-Doms is pretty great sexually, but he’s such a crap human being that I hesitate to allow him anywhere near my life. My current lover is wonderful. I’ll do anything with him, anytime.

Of celebrities—well, my interests aren’t much different than anyone else’s. Viggo Mortensen is a special favorite, as is Johnny Depp. (Duh. Who doesn’t lust after Johnny Depp?) The vamps in True Blood, but especially Alex Skarsgard. David Beckham. The star of Grimm, David Giuntoli. Major eye candy!

BIO:

Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue Swift, has written over sixteen romance novels in several subgenres, including erotica, comedy, historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense, plus a number of short stories and non-fiction articles on writing. A freelance editor, she’s worked for Total-E-Bound, Ai Press, Liquid Silver Books and Etopia Press. She also takes private clients.

Her books have been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, attained the finals of the RITA, won a contest here and there, and hit several bestseller lists.

A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.

Here’s where readers can find the latest Clan Kilburn Vampires tale:

http://www.ellorascave.com/temptation-in-tartan.html

Here’s the blurb to Temptation in Tartan

She had to marry a monster…

Rumors had followed the chieftains of Clan Kilborn for centuries. Said to be descended from the Viking Berserkers, they were ferocious in battle, known for tearing off the heads of their enemies and drinking their blood.

But English noblewoman Lydia Swann Williston would marry Kieran, Laird Kilborn, to bring peace to the Kilborn lands after the horror of Culloden and the brutal pacification. A widow, she also brought needed wealth to Clan Kilborn. For her part, eighteen-year-old Lydia wanted children. With her husband killed at Culloden, she would make a new life in the Highlands.

The old chieftain of Clan Kilborn also died in battle, and she hoped that the new young Laird would lack his ancestors' ferocity.

She was wrong.

****

Published by Ellora’s Cave in June 2012, Temptation in Tartan reached #1 on the All Romance Ebooks bestseller list for historical (other) romance and spent a full week in the top five. Its sequel, Desire in Tartan, will be released early in 2013.

Wednesday Wisdom with Normandie Alleman

It's my great pleasure today to welcome fellow Total-e-bound author Normandie Alleman (Love your name!)  Her first book comes out very soon, and you can pre-order it now! And being the cover whore that I am - I have to say that is one beautiful cover!


Tell us about your new release

My new novella, Venetian Love Knots, is a story about a girl, Allison, who travels to Venice to be in her best friend’s wedding. Her ex-boyfriend, Cole, will be there too, which makes her nervous. Along the way she meets a handsome Italian gentleman who makes her heart beat a little faster.

Allison falls into the arms of both men, but she’s uncertain which man to choose. The story involves a ménage and some BDSM, specifically some delicious rope bondage and spanking.

Oh that's my kind of story!

How about telling us a little about your road to publication.
I actually wrote this story for a special call and it got lost in cyberspace when it was first submitted. Later I re-wrote it with no parameters about word count or anything else, telling the story on my terms. When I finally submitted it again a year later, it was accepted.

Obviously it was meant to be! Great story!

Where did you come up with the idea for Venetian Love Knots?

Hmm.  I had the idea for the story of a girl who doesn’t understand her darker desires. Allison needs her bad boy, Cole because he allows her to be the bad girl that is deep inside of her. But their relationship is fraught with problems. She’s torn between her passion for him and what she feels is “right.” That internal struggle was the jumping off point for me to write this story.

I think a lot of us can relate to Allison's needs :-)

How did you research for your story? Was it fun?

I wish I could say I went to Venice to research this story. In fact, if I could do that, I’d write a sequel tomorrow! About ten years ago I had the opportunity to visit Venice, and it was one of the best vacations of my life. With all its unique charm and history, Venice sings to my heart. A city built on water…what could be more romantic?

*Sigh*. I've always wanted to visit Venice...

Is this part of a series?  Any plans for other stories based on these characters?

For the moment it’s a single title, though I don’t think I’m finished telling Cole’s story.

By all means keep telling it! He sounds hot!
What was the hardest part about writing this book?

The re-writes. Originally some of the twists in the book were more unexpected. The first version read more like a mainstream fiction book than a romance novel. I’m new to this genre so I had to learn some of the “rules” as I edited it for this market.

I think all writing is "rewriting".  A necessary evil :-)

What was the easiest part?

Writing about Venice was a complete joy, and I knew these characters intimately. They all remind me of people I’ve known.

Favorite Scene?

My favorite scene is probably the one where Allison and Cole go up to his room after the wedding. He convinces her to do some things that are out of her comfort zone. I love the dynamics and the power exchange between them. This couple doesn’t have a traditional BDSM relationship. They’re more like people who have kinky tendencies, but who aren’t actively getting involved with kink on the internet or going to dungeons on Friday nights. To me, it reflects what more people might experience “in real life.”

I don't think there is any such thing as a "typical" BDSM relationship....so it sounds like you got it right to me :-)

Where can readers find out more about your new release?

Click here to find read more at the TEB website

What are you working on now?

Oooh! Right now I’m working on a FILTHY BDSM novel that involves a wickedly creative Dom and a debutante divorcee.  It’s a wild ride, and super fun to write.

Oh yes! Sounds wonderful. Hurry up!

And now for the personal questions-

Favourite toy? (Well, it is erotic romance after all!)

Oh my. I do appreciate a good flogger.  (Me too :-))

Favourite food? Macaroni and cheese.

Favourite author? Jack London

Favourite season? Autumn, without a doubt.

Which two people, famous or not – who would you be up for a ménage with?

Haha! I don’t think I could ever do a ménage. I’m too lazy, it sounds like a lot of work...

*Snort* I'd be getting them to do all the work LOL

Bio: A former psychologist, Normandie has always been fascinated by human behavior. She loves writing quirky characters that are all too human. “I’m interested in the kind of relationships people have in real life. So I write about my characters’ messy, unpredictable, and inexplicable journeys to love.”

If there were another 5 hours in the day, Normandie would spend more time needle-pointing and playing with photography. Instead, she’s a Pinterest addict and sports junkie who’s crazy for Twitter and the color pink.

Blurb:

In Venice, Allison Fox will find love in the arms of two men. Her past collides with her future in a battle for her heart. Which one will win?

Travelling to Venice to be the maid of honour in her best friend’s wedding sounds like a great vacation, and a romantic way to spend Valentine’s Day. But when Allison Fox discovers who the best man is, she is torn between duty and self-preservation.

It has taken Allison four years to put her tumultuous relationship with the rodeo cowboy behind her after a violent incident ripped them apart. Now Allison must find a way to face her past and find closure with her old flame. But will she be able to put the past behind her?

Cole is the Texas cowboy who has never got over his love for Allison. But when he declares his love for her after all this time, is she strong enough to walk away from the intense passion they share?

For years Nico, a handsome Italian, was committed to nothing but his work. Nico never expected he would meet an American beauty who would awaken in him a desire to love again. Once he finds her, Nico vows to never let Allison go.

It will be a Valentine’s Day to remember, but who will win Allison’s heart?


Buy Link:
http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2003

Personal links:

Follow Normandie Here:
Twitter - @NormandieA 
Pinterest "http://pinterest.com/NormandieA
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Normandie-Alleman/192377744242197
Website www.normandiealleman.com

Wednesday Wisdom with Stephanie Campisi - Does size matter?

Does size matter? On short men in romance novels

It seems that more than any other genre romance is, ahem, big on measurements. I am, of course, talking about height. (What did you think I was talking about?)

In every romance novel I've read of late the hero's height has been explicitly described, and curiously, I haven't yet come across a hero shorter than 6'2”. This got me thinking about the way that masculinity is represented in romance novels, and of the relatively narrow way that male attractiveness is defined.

While romance heroines are afforded a little more variability in terms of height and body shape (although they tend to cluster around very petite and very tall and at lithe or curvy, without much in between), heroes have far less flexibility afforded them. From my romance reading, the prototypical hero is, well, basically a giant.

One possibility is that men don't tend to receive the descriptive nuance that women do: where a writer might describe a woman's dress sense, her hair, makeup, comportment and so on, fewer descriptive phrases tend to be applied to men. And of those, hair and eye colour and overall physique are probably the most salient.

I do wonder, however, whether it's because heroes tend to fall into the brooding alpha male category, and having a powerful physique complements the other elements of the alpha male personality. After all, size can readily be correlated with perceived strength and power: we've all probably read the research showing that taller men tend to earn more than their shorter counterparts.

Still, what's interesting here is not just that heroes tend to be so tall, but that this height has to be explicitly stated. As noted above, heroines tend to be described in terms of petite or tall rather than a specific height, and yet, male heroes are very rarely described in comparative terms. Height, then, seems in romance novels to be a sort of attractiveness currency: it's almost as though height is the new salary. (“You must be this tall to ride”, perhaps?).

There's definitely a perception that a hero who doesn't meet a particular height threshold is somehow unmasculine, and I wonder whether that height threshold is increasing in line with the independence and equality of heroines. In a world where women are closing the gap in terms of education and career success, and where gender roles are being rewritten, perhaps writers are using physicality as a proxy for masculinity.

What do you think? Why do you think that romance heroes are so tall, and has this changed over time?
__

Stephanie Campisi is a middle grade author and book reviewer (http://www.readinasinglesitting.com).

Her novel Spatterbaum and Zitherbother is currently on submission.

You can sign up here (http://www.spatterbaumandzitherbother.com) to be alerted when it's published.

Stephanie is extremely petite, and is married to a man who by romance novel standards would also be considered petite. She doesn't mind at all.


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The next best thing challenge! #BDSM

Thanks to Jess Dee for tagging me in this!

Here’s how it works:

• Answer the 10 questions below
• Spread the fun and tag other writers to participate.

1. What is the title of your book / WIP?


Kinky Bet

2. Where did the idea for this book come from?

My sick mind :-)  I'm bad that way.

3. What genre would your book fall under?

Contemporary BDSM romance

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

Conal is definitely Colin Farrell.  The eyes have it. And the accent :-)
Erica could be played by Scarlett Johansen quite well...although she'd need to be a bit more vulnerable to get the subtleties of Erica's character :-)

5. What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

Who thought losing a bet could end up being so much fun?

6. Is your book published or represented?

Not yet :-) 

7. How long did it take you to write it?

Still a WIP :-)  Almost done :-)

8. What other books in your genre would you compare it to?

I guess it's a bit similar to The Master's Prize. The heroine is exploring her sexuality in ways she never dreamed of. 

9. Which authors inspired you to write this book?

I am always inspired by Cherise Sinclair, Qwillia Rain and Joey Hill when I write BDSM. All of them in a different way. Cherise with her loving Doms, Qwillia with the emotional intensity and Joey with her knack of making it look easy, and all of them for the amazing hot scenes!

10. Tell us anything else that might pique our interest in your book.

The hero has killer brown eyes, a gorgeous Irish accent and holds a strong resemblance to Colin Farrell. What's not to like?

I'm not sure who I'll tag in this...will have to think about it! See me on Facebook!

MONDAY MAGIC - Keziah Hill

Right now it’s February which is traditionally the hottest month of the year in Australia. Like August in the Northern Hemisphere, the last month of summer seems to go on forever, particularly if you live on the east coast where the humidity is a killer. I’m lucky because I live 100ks or so west of Sydney in the Blue Mountains so humidity isn’t so much of an issue for me.

Most of Australia suffered through a ten year long drought which broke with a vengeance in 2010-11.  Unfortunately the rains have come again this summer, so much of south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales is under flood waters as I write this.

But the big issue for me is that lack of summer we’ve had this year. The Blue Mountains is a cold climate part of Australia so I expect it will always be colder than Sydney, but I don’t expect to have the heater on consistently since Christmas. And rain, rain, rain. Days of it. Weeks of it.

I hadn’t realised how much the weather effects my mood. I can’t get out into the garden and I can’t go for walks. Don’t get me wrong, I love cold weather, that’s why I live here, but the the unrelenting gloomy grey is getting on my nerves.

Today the sun is out. Yay! But that’s end of it until the end of February. Then it’s on to autumn. The upside is autumn is my favorite time of year so I’m hoping for sunny days, crisp air and glorious colour from the turning trees.

One of the benefits of so much rain is that I’ve been doing a lot of writing. My crime novel is on a home stretch, and I’ve finished an erotic fantasy novella that I’m in the process of tidying up and submitting. I’ve also written two shorts for a couple of anthologies.

Maybe I should be thanking all this rain!


Excerpt

Readers seem to be more interested in lesbian erotic romance lately. It's always been popular with erotica readers but less so with erotic romance readers. I like writing lesbian romance, so here's an excerpt from “Ghostly Desires” a story in Friends and Lovers: Two Erotic Tales which is available from Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords. Links here. http://www.keziahhill.com/books/

The rain cleared the next day and Thea wandered through the grounds peering into sheds and picking some bedraggled flowers. It was much better than she remembered. When the sun was out, it was spectacular. Her mind ticked over with possibilities. The idea of a bed and breakfast specializing in eco tours through Wild Rivers National Park looked more and more attractive. She’d get the place fixed up and a marketing plan written. First though, she’d figure out why Judith wanted to get rid of her.

Thea spent an amusing if sleepless night listening to the laughter and creepy howls of what she assumed was an attempt at a resident ghost. It made her think that an occasional murder mystery weekend or a ghost theme might be quite an attraction for the place. The people who didn’t want to go off trekking in the wilderness could play games and be warm while consuming fabulous food and wine.

She’d have to ask Judith for some suggestions after she worked out what to do about her. An environmental scientist who could cook like an angel was a definite asset. The fact that Thea wanted to spend a large amount of time picking her brain while wrapped around her, was neither here nor there.  Not that she really wanted to do much talking. Her mouth would be much better employed trying to taste every inch of Miss Judith’s glorious skin.

She made her way back to the kitchen, found a vase for the flowers and planned her next move. She didn’t have to wait long. Judith staggered in the kitchen with a pile of wood in her arms looking frazzled and tired. She’d ditched the grey serge for a worn pair of jeans that molded her every curve and a snug black sweater. It was still cold and Thea’s mouth watered at the sight of Judith’s nipples, tight and distinct under the wool.

“Morning. How did you sleep?”

“Fine,” Judith snapped. “What about you?”

“Perfect. There were a few noises in the night, but I just assumed they were the resident ghost and went back to sleep. I think that’s the best thing to do with ghosts, don’t you? Just ignore them and they either give up and disappear or settle in to become one of the family. I hope this one settles in. Has it been around for long?”

Judith glared at her and piled the wood into the wood box. “I didn’t hear anything.”

“No? I must be sensitive to ghosts then.” She smiled at Judith who gasped and dropped the wood, peering at her hand with a curse.

“Shit! I’ve got a splinter.”

“Let me see.” Thea pulled Judith’s hand into hers and saw a sharp fragment of wood embedded in the base of her thumb. “Stand still, I’ll get it out.”

Blood welled out of Judith’s skin as Thea eased out the wood. She lifted Judith’s hand and sucked on it, swirling her tongue around the broken skin. She tasted of copper and salt mixed with panic. Thea moved closer, sliding her arm around Judith’s waist, while still licking her hand. When she moved her tongue to the inside of her wrist and felt her frantic pulse, Judith’s sharp indrawn breath sent a tingle of delight through her. She lifted her head from Judith’s hand and pulled her closer, her mouth almost touching Judith’s slightly parted lips.

“Is that better?”

“Yes,” Judith whispered, her eyes wide and round.

“Good.” She dropped her gaze to Judith’s breasts and smiled. “Very good. You should put something on it.” Stepping away from her, she picked up an apple from the fruit bowl and bit into it. “I’m going into town to talk to a few trades people. I want to get this place fixed up as soon as possible. Need anything?”

Judith shook her head. She seemed to be having trouble breathing.

“Okay. I’ll see you later. Look after that hand.”



****

Thanks so much for being my guest today Keziah! Congratulations on getting so much writing done lately! I wish I could catch some of that...I need to finish our "Secret Writing Project"!  (Keziah and I are in the same writers group in Sydney. She's finished her bit and I'm lagging behind!)

MONDAY MAGIC - Vonnie Hughes

Please welcome to Monday Magic fellow RWAustralia member, and Regency and Suspense author Vonnie Hughes!

***

VOICE

As writers, we constantly hear about ‘voice.’  Your voice is the way you say things on paper, what you say, the way you present things to the reader.  It is you, your persona that shines through the words.  Many readers can tell who the author of a book is by the way the book reads e.g. J.D. Robb’s Eve responds to adversity in quite a different way from, say, a Gayle Wilson heroine.  Whereas Eve punches her way through problems, solving them by putting herself in the perpetrator’s shoes, Gayle Wilson’s Susan (from Wednesday’s Child) or Sarah (from Victim) are more covertly intellectual.  They have waited and agonized and wondered and eventually, when a clue is discovered, not necessarily by themselves, take action.  Eve is more likely to discover the clues herself and roar into action.

There are as many different ways to say something as there are writers, and as many ways to interpret the words as there are readers.  Remember that favorite saying of editors: You can take the same story, give it to ten writers, and get back ten totally different stories?  The education and socio-economic background of a writer influences the way they pose a question or solve a problem.  The geographical background of an author influences a writer mightily e.g. the voice of a writer from the Bronx who never made it to college, or even one who managed to get to college later on in life, will write very differently from an author with a double degree from Harvard.

And that is why a writer need never be afraid of someone stealing his/her ideas.  Every person perceives a scene or a person or an event in different ways, and those different ways are what make for the uniqueness of your voice.  We could all write Little Red Riding Hood at least thirty different ways, and if you multiplied that by authors willing to try the exercise, you’d have hundreds of different versions.

The voice is what appeals to particular readers.  It is why people say, “Oh, I couldn’t stand her.  She waffles on and on about scenery until I lose track of the story” or “He gets so deep into forensics I don’t understand it.”  On the other hand these same readers will enthuse “Loved it.  Loved the whole series.  Easy to understand but with just enough mystery to keep me interested.”  In other words: each to his own.

Occasionally a writer will try to change their voice to suit a particular publication. Sometimes it works; often it doesn’t.  You are not being true to yourself as a writer if you’re struggling to dance to someone else’s tune.  A writer I admire who changes her settings greatly yet stays true to her voice is Jayne Ann Krentz.  Futuristic, historical, contemporary, paranormal, whatever, you can tell a Jayne Ann Krentz (a.k.a. Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle) novel because of her quirky characters and her voice.  You can pick up any one of her books and say, “Oh, that’s JAK.”  And that is the root of her success, because her readers can switch genres but still be satisfied. For example, I would never have begun reading paranormals if it wasn’t that JAK was writing strongly in that genre. And I admired JAK’s voice so much and the way it translated to just about anywhere, that I began reading first her paranormals, and then other people’s.

The problem with trying to alter your voice to suit someone else is that every word must be agonized over, every phrase re-thought and it is very difficult not to become stilted.  Trying to fit into a particular publisher’s pigeon-hole can be draining, and in the end, pointless.  There are publishers (paper and e-publishers) out there who WILL like your voice, so why bother with those who don’t?  Sure, breaking into publishing is harder than finding the philosopher’s stone, but e-publishers are a lot more relaxed about people who write outside the square. They are open to cross-genre writers.  Once you have found your niche, why not stick with it for a while before you expand? You can build up a fan base in that style and genre. Then you will feel confident enough to carry your voice over to a different genre i.e. you could move from cozies to romantic suspense or from adventure to sci-fi.  Whatever you do, your voice will follow.  It’s part of you.  Understand it.  Respect it. Nurture it. 




You can find Vonnie at the following places:

http://www.vonniehughes.com
http://vonniehughes.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/VonnieJHughes



Vonnie has a Regency short story in the free Christmas read from Musa Publishing. Click HERE to find it


Musa is releasing a Regency novel called THE SECOND SON on December 16. This is rather unusual because it is a prequel to a book which is already out in hardback (With Robert Hale) called COMING HOME.

COMING HOME is also being released on 31 January 2012 as an e-book.

on 13 January The Wild Rose Press are releasing Vonnie's Romantic Suspense LETHAL REFUGE.
It is set in New Zealand and is about the fledgling witness protection scheme there.

A Balancing Act - Putting the Romance into Suspense - PART ONE

Some time ago I wrote an article and online workshop on Romantic Suspense.  Romantic suspense is my first love in writing, and although I've moved into some different areas, I still love a romance with a good mystery behind it.  This article has been previously published in HEARTS TALK, which is the monthly newsletter of the Romance Writers of Australia, and also ran it as a workshop on my old group The League of Amazing Writers.

Here is the first part: Feel free to complete the exercises and post your answers

A Balancing Act - Putting the Romance into Suspense

What is the attraction of the romantic suspense plot?

For me, it’s the heart stopping suspense, the thrill of the chase, and non- stop action that heightens the emotion and intensifies the romance.  Knowing that the characters not only have to solve the mystery and conquer the evil villain or villains, they also learn trust and in the process deal with the best and the worst in each other.  This is one of the main attractions of the suspense story for me.  Whatever the plot device, be it women in jeopardy, murder, stalkers, terrorists, spy thrillers, how can the heroine and hero not fall for each other in these intense and emotional circumstances? 

How much is the right mix of romance and suspense?

Authors such as Nora Roberts, Iris Johansen, Tami Hoag, Shannon McKenna and Rebecca York continue to write huge best sellers.  These authors and all those others who write romantic suspense have such diverse styles it’s difficult to even attempt to define the genre.  The popularity of romantic suspense continues to grow, but for some writers this sub genre of romance fiction continues to be one of the most difficult to write successfully.  The problem lies in the balance between the romance and the suspense.  How much of each is needed?  Should there be two separate or one integrated plot? 

The short answer is that it all depends what type of story you want to write, and which publisher you are targeting.  In the category market, some publishers ask for a 50/50 split of romance with suspense or a 60/40 split with more of an emphasis on the emotional growth of the characters.  If your book doesn’t fit into these moulds they won’t publish it.  This may sound unfair, but in category fiction it’s all about reader expectation.  In most cases the reader is buying the series, not the author, so the guidelines need to be very clear. 

Mainstream single title romantic suspense on the other hand varies from author to author.  If you are writing a single title romantic suspense novel you have more flexibility with the balance of romance and suspense in your story.  Shannon McKenna integrates powerful emotional and sexual relationships within her suspense plots, while for Tami Hoag the suspense or thriller plot is the main focus.  That doesn’t mean the romance is secondary.  Character development and relationship building are integral parts of all romantic suspense novels and add to the suspense/thriller plot and the spine tingling tension that enhances the story. 

Marketing of your book can play a part in your decision as well.  Depending on your own particular blend of romance and suspense, you may well find your book placed on the crime shelves in the local bookshop as well as the romance section.  This can increase sales exposure of your books.  Many authors and publishers do this deliberately. 

At the end of the day, you have to write the book you want to write.  I believe that instinct plays a huge part in how you decide to distribute the suspense with the romantic or emotional plot line.  Nora Roberts says you “just know” what is right for your story.  I’m not sure that it comes as naturally as Ms. Roberts would have us think, but believing in your characters and your story goes a long way to making it the best darn story you can write.

EXERCISE ONE:

• Think about what sort of book you want to write. 
• Are you targeting a particular publisher?
• How much romance/suspense do you think your book requires?

Next week: Steps to Balancing the Romance with the Suspense