On characters and conflicts
A new heroine and hero have been talking to me lately, and I think their story has to be told. They’re Bethany and Cody, the best friends of my hero/heroine in “Blind Date Bride” … the ones who enter poor Kari and Damien into the contest they think will...
A thought on love
After reading my last blog entry, one of my friends from college messaged me with this bit of inspiration about giving characters reasons to love one another: Love isn’t only about the hot sex – it’s about friendship. Cuz when the hot sex goes away (old age, car accident,...
More food for thought
Over at the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood, my writing blog home away from home, I read a fantastic post the other day. It was all about what editors want from a category romance. After reading it, I wonder if Brad and Erin’s story is as ready as I thought. I...
Getting to know them
Inspired by a post earlier this week at the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood, I sat down to have a chat with my hero and heroine yesterday. No, I’m not crazy. I went to Starbucks (my favorite place to get things done) and pulled out the laptop. Several hours later, I’d...
My heroes
I spent some time tonight reading through parts of Bree & Mike’s story, and I’ve come to the conclusion that he might be the best hero in my Women of Willow’s Grove trilogy. Not surprising, considering he was going to be Erin’s hero (until Brad got in the way)....
Is it wrong?
Is it wrong that I like my story more every time I read it through? If so, I don’t want to be right! 😉 I’m nearing the end of “Blind Date Bride,” and though I’m having trouble cutting out any food scenes (guess that’s the food editor in me...
Right direction
My instincts are right on track. At least that’s the gist of the feedback from fellow NARWAn Kelly, the first person (besides myself) to read through the entire first draft of “Blind Date Bride.” All 330+ pages of it. (And it took her less than a week!) 😀 She...
The what, the why & the why not
I spent some time this weekend looking through Debra Dixon’s infamous “Goal, Motivation and Conflict,” in case you couldn’t tell. The goal, of course, is “what.” Motivation is the “why.” And conflict is the “why not.” Your character wants _______ because ______ but ________. It seems so easy. Yet...
Know your characters
Reading an article in a recent issue of Romance Writers Report got me thinking about the characters in the story I’ve been editing: Do I know my heroine as well as I know myself? I sure should, since she’s me … or at least more me than most. Sure,...