Yesterday, I spent the evening with my writer’s group at LibraryCon, a small town fair. OMG… it was sooo hot. Just let me tell you, my Multiple Sclerosis was not happy. I ended up eating sugar-free icee, running my little squirt bottle fan, and sweating like an out of shape marathon runner. In the end, I lasted for most of the event, but left a few minutes before the rest of the crowd.
Mary Shortridge and Cathy Shaffer made it out to this small fair. The rest of our group were sick, working, or out of town. These gals are awesome, and great with words. Cathy is on the left and Mary on the right.
Sadly, I didn’t make any book sales. I did sale a bunch of jewelry… In fact, as soon as up get caught up with my book edits, I will need to make more earrings. The crystal pendants and the rocks with melted metal pendants were a big hit. I just hope I don’t drip heated metal on my skin when I make replacements..
Mary, thankfully, helped me separate all the necklaces that had become tangled with each other. I had found some nifty see-through colored bags to hole them in.
Our author table sat across from the peeps with all the paintings (they had a set up to do balloon animals), close to the peeps with the pool noodles, and beside the JCP table (with their hair products, they were putting spray hair color on people). We were also close to the book mobile and the icee van. yummmm…. this year there was sugar-free (good for me) pina coloda icee
The fair had a few fun ideas and decorations, like a costume contest and Dr who/star wars cut outs. also… I saw some gals from the local paranormal society. there were a few other tables out, but I didnt have time to see what was going on. oh…. and the table for PAWS, which is all about animals 😛
All in all, it was a fun evening, even if it was bloody hot.
if you want to see some of my jewelry, I have some pics up on my arts and crafts site… just click the link at the top of the page… Happy wordage everyone
Writing you novel, and looking for the best way to keep your readers interested??? Here are a few aspects that I always try to include… fighting, funny, and fu- … uh, I mean loving.. 😛 loving from friendships to love of your life. Bring you story to life with emotions.
Finding the words to make you Novel memorable!!
The easiest way to write about something is to know it inside and out. If you want to understand the inner workings of the restaurant business??? Want to be able to describe the feeling of flying through the air??? How about explaining the reality of living on a horse ranch???
Watch, Ask, and Do!!! Stalk local restaurants, pull out your pad and pen as you interview anyone that will stand still long enough, and see if you can help out in the kitchen (get hired on a month/summer basis). Take a flying lesson and do all you can to learn the ropes. Lasso yourself a cowboy and … Sorry, got distracted by the thought of cowboys and lassos, but I think you get the picture. Do anything and everything you can think of to learn the feel, the taste, the sounds, the smells, and the sights of the world you want to create.
Sex
But what happens when you want to add a little sexual tension to your novel? How about those full blown sex scenes?? And not just the act of sex… the emotions behind either the attraction to another, or the feelings before, during, and after. How does your character’s mindset change because of the thought or the act of intimacy.
Some of the things we add to our novels are either impractical or impossible for us to learn about first hand. Remember that song Can’t Buy Me Love?? Well, you can’t force a love connection just to learn what it feels like. You might not want to try out some of the bedroom gymnastics portrayed by the lustier of novels either. What in the world do you do now?
Well, you could always make it up, use your imagination. But where to start? And how are you going to get your reader to pay attention when your words feel rushed or halting? LOL I suggest you look it up. For me, and my only mildly blush worthy novels, I read it all… the worst of the worst literary porn (I love my smut, I just cant write it), the sweet Happily Ever Afters, and the racy novels. And especially the free short stories on amazon. Those shorts are great for getting the mechanics down. Not always, but usually. Sometimes I’m reading the getting-busy part and I think – no way, he couldn’t even reach her while she does that… lol…
I love romance, from the behind-the-bedroom-door actions to the break-the-bed-and-hope-the-neighbors-don’t-call-the-police sex-capaids. By the time I finished writing Shocking Finds and my other rough drafts, my book shelf looked like a How to Become a Porn Addict guide. lol … My mother borrowed my kindle and just about had a heart attack. I had to show her that I had actually taken notes on different positions so that she didn’t think I had a problem.
But we learn to become writers by reading, so learn about being a romance writer by reading … romance, light hearted or pornish. Read each book and find the scenes that speak to your emotions, and your fantasies. How do they describe the feel of a man’s hand along your thigh, caressing your back, or jerking you into his arms. Learn how to put the feel of each action into the scene, don’t just tell the reader it happened. Get your own romance collection. But make it your own. Plagiarism is a capital offence in the writer community.
Humor
Humor can be even harder to portray than passion. We live in a diverse world, with varying senses of humor. Have you ever been at a party and stood with your friends as they doubled over in laughter, all while you looked on in confusion? If liquor wasn’t involved, chances are that you either missed the joke or just didn’t find it funny. Or worse … Have you told a story that brought tears of laughter to your eyes, but looked around to see that your friends were scratching their heads, going over your words, and looking for the humor?? Reading is only the first step to attacking this issue.
Okay. Reading something that you find funny might not help you to impress your friends, but reading something that millions of other readers considered humorous may improve your writing. Humor is just as important as passion, when it comes to adding emotions to your novel. You want your reader to get lost in the worlds you create. If they can feel each scene, then you are on the right track. This is something that I hope to get better and more polished at as I continue to write.
If all else fails, try a comedy club or two. Get in a frame of mind that helps your words to come out in a flowing manner, instead of just dropping a joke into you story now and them. You have to build up to the laugh, like a mini-story within your story. Personally, I don’t even consider what kind of emotion or humor I can add to my story when I’m writing that rough draft. As I bring my story to life I try to see where they are going, how I can build up to that moment when the emotions (no matter if it is passions, anger, failure, gut wrenching sadness, or humor) on the page reach full tilt.
Fighting
Oooo… Fighting, bloodbaths, all out war… or maybe just a cat-fight. Okay, this one is easy. First you make sure that your annoying neighbor, with the yappy dog, and lack of parking etiquette is home. You do some stretches, get your muscles loose and ready, and then walk over and punch him in the face… see, easy…
What? You think that could lead to jail time, or just finding yourself lying on his doorstep as you watch little cartoon birdies fly around your head. Hmm. Well the other method is much harder. It also involves a great deal of reading, or you could take a martial arts class to learn the feel of some of the moves and defenses. I was lucky enough to take karate classes as a child. That was long ago but some of the motions are hard to forget.
But fighting and violence isn’t just accomplished in a fist fight. You can stripe the hide off of someone’s sense of worth with words a lot easier than you can with a sidekick. I didn’t grow up in a household that contained harsh words, but some of you might be able to call on those memories. Pull them up and use them to leave your reader sobbing and looking for the ice cream, clinching their fists on behalf of your character, or maybe feeling anxiety as you add more turmoil to your character’s life.
This is the hardest emotion for me to bring to my novels. So of course, I practice. The best results come when you hang out with a friend or two and then… Okay, just kidding. This is something that needs to be done in your head, or out loud as you drive down the highway. Alone.
I usually look like an insane person when I’m driving. Sometimes bringing myself to tears with harsh words. Your friends can only help if you sit down and they are willing to have a heart to heart walk down memory lane with you. Otherwise … prepare to look a little loony as you fight with yourself, as you cruise down the highway.
No matter what you decide to write, what you want to bring to your story, how you want to portray your character’s lives and their world… remember to have fun with it. Enjoy what you write, and hopefully others will love it as well. And keep researching… life is about change and growth. Personally, I hope that each year I become better and better at building my worlds.
Happy wordage, Tracey Clark
hope you enjoyed the Pinterest pics… there are all kinds of helpful how-tos on Pinterest…
“I wonder of the world”
By T. Clark
I wonder of the world
That happens all the day
The innocent abyss
That comes when children play
I wonder how they stay
In their place and time
While climbing the mountains
Or swimming the ocean wide
I wonder if they know
There’s no one really there
I wonder if they see
Their friends are made of air
I wonder if they feel
Their mountain is a hill
Or that the ocean blue
A rocky shore that’s still
I wonder what they see
When in their jungle hut
Or how they learn to tame
Their wild jungle mutts
I wonder of this world
That happens all the day
I wonder how I lost
My innocent days of play
I am both excited and saddened. Killjoys (a show on syfy) is back for its fifth season. Sadly, this is supposed to be the last season.
love this show… so far there has only been one episode, but it just reminded me why hate that the seasons are so short. lol.
I love kickass Dutch and her boys (John and Davin). And all the crazy space hijinks they get into.
Their interactions always make me laugh. I would watch this show for years, if they would continue to run it. I love when Pree sings…
And Zeph and her brainy awkward ways…
But my absolute favorite character is Khlyen. Even when I thought he was evil (kinda evil … lol) I looked forward to the episodes with him in them. And cried like a baby when he died (don’t worry. He’s back. this is syfy after all…. lol)
This is one of the best Syfy shows in a while. I can’t wait for more!!!! Oh… I almost forgot Kendry. She has gone from super bitch, to pregnant bitch, and this year she is a kickass bitch. lol. Way cool.
lol… I love March… not for the number to birthday parties my family celebrates (omg, there are so many birthdays… May must be a popular time to get frisky, lol… cause ten months later my family has babies popping out… March and June, those are our baby times :P)
unlike everyone else, I entered to world in October, and I love that time of year… so I don’t love March for its weather or spookiness… nope that all happens for me in Fall…
I don’t even love March for its beauty, cause let’s be honest… it is a little sad looking out in the Kentucky March landscapes… nope… I love March for all the new books I get to read… this year, four of my favorite authors have books coming out in March… I already received Patricia Brigg’s latest Alpha and Omega novel “Burn Bright”
an excellent work, Patricia Briggs delivered another great read… her characters are live 3D, and so real they practically jump off the page… the love story between Charles and Anna caught and held my attention from the first paragraph in the short story that entered their relationship into her world… I love getting little insights into Charles’s past and his struggles and strength… I especially enjoy seeing the ways he secretly cared for and protected Mercy (from Brigg’s Mercy Thompson series)… and Anna is no light weight character… she is damaged but her will is iron… she shows that no matter the horror of her past, her love for Charles will never break, in fact her love lifts her to a place where she has the power to save the day, protect those she loves, and be the partner that Charles has always needed in his life…
I enjoyed every page of Burn Bright, and now I am waiting on my next March read, Christine Feehan’s Covert Game…
I have been re-reading the Ghostwalker series, even though I have read each novel a number of times already… but feeling apathetic about my own novels, I need something else to kill time until my favorite authors deliver their latest reads… I know that I will eventually get back to writing my own stories, the people in my head wont allow me to ignore them forever… but for now, I am impatiently waiting for Covert Game to come out on March 20th… as well as Shelly Laurenston’s ‘Hot and Badgered’ and Lynsay Sands’s ‘Twice Bitten’, which will be published on March 27th…
with all the books coming out this month, who wouldn’t love March
So… where are all my books??? the truth is, I have been putting off the task of sending out the new e-book copies of my three Finder’s Keepers novels… grr…
why in the world would I need to publish new copies so soon??? that would be due to the disbandment of the Pronoun site… which I used to publish my three novels… so now I need to re-publish or quit… it is disheartening, but what is a girl to do…
the paperback versions are still available, but this is a time when most look for the cheaper e-book versions… so… I will eventually get my head back in the game… I love writing, and sharing my stories, but when writer’s depression hits, it hits hard… I have no doubt that I will eventually get everything back in working order, but for now, my novels are only available in paperback…
I don’t know about the rest of ya, but I feel a little like I am writing a Dick & Jane primary book when I use ‘Said’ too often in my novels… but then, some peeps believe that ‘Said’ is the only way to go… but just look at all these alternatives… why limit your writing???
I absolutely love Pinterest… there is so much to find… with this list, you can show your characters even more clearly… I have used about half of these naturally, but there are a lot of choices that I never thought of…
as for the authors that believe that ‘Said’ is the best way, I have some favorites that I love to read… even though I disagree, their stories are still enjoyable and re-readable… I love to read my favorites over and over… Slow writing is usually the only way to make me lose interest… so if my go-to authors want to stick with ‘Said’, then to each their own…
I believe that each author needs to follow their own path… there are some rules that all of us need to follow, but the bottom line in writing for me is to always enjoy the creation…
anywho… I am off to play with some of these said-replacements… Happy wordage everyone…
okay… I got a little side tracked, but finally, there is a new book coming out… book three in my Finder’s Keepers series will be out Sept 21st … but is currently up for pre-order…
Tracey Clark is #OnTour this week with her #ParanormalRomance #UrbanFantasy series, Finder’s Keepers! Check out the #Excerpts and #OneClick today! Shocking Finds (Book 1) is #OnSale for #99Pennies – don’t forget to enter the #Giveaway!!
winner will get set of books 1 &2 – the Finder’s Keepers Series (US only)
I am a country-twang gal from the bluegrass state. Kentucky is a hot bed of horses, cave systems, and whiskey. And I love all three. With my pugs and bossy kitty cat, I spend my days writing and working social media. I write with the help of the voices pushing me to create worlds for them to live in. Fantasy Romance, Contemporary Romance, and eventually some cowboys (because cowboys live in a group all their own, yummmm)… These are the genres that I love best. Oil paints, crafts, dealing with Multiple Sclerosis, and writing into the dead of night… this I my life!!!
the 30th…. sigh… on the up side, we are steps away from falling leaves and cool breezes… ahhh…. I am giddy just thinking about it… I would say that my love of Fall is all about my MS, but the season has always been one of my Faves… so I was wondering??? could there be a connection between my birthday (in October) and my love of the season… hmmm… what about y’all…
on the down side, the end of August means the end of our block party…
but not so fast, cause the fun isn’t over yet… today we have one or two… I say or because the second site’s link isn’t live yet… but if you want to go over to RRBC later, maybe things will have changed… just head to RRBC to check out the line-up…
look, look, look… four stops…. are they insane… are they trying to overload us with excitement… and who is that second person down… oh look… that’s me…
and first up we finally get to see Brenda Taylor’s site… so glad she is still on the block party… and look at all those other awesome stops…
Just click the links…. enjoy the post… and leave a comment… that’s it… fun and games, and a chance to win goodies… how awesome is that… alright I am off now… hope to see y’all over on my book site… happy wordage
I tried to wait for the second link to go live, but decided to just give you guys the one that was up and running… and the link to the RRBC site, in case you want to check later… just in case the other link goes up… (most likely, that person didn’t get their info in on time… ;( … but we still have one site to visit…)
I loved the pics and wanted to share so y’all won’t miss out… and added bonus, this is on of the stops on the RRBC Block Party today… woo who… this club rocks …
Howdy y’all… 😛 I hope everyone is keeping cool and relaxed, ready to win some great prizes… over here in Ashland, Ky it is sweat-palooza… but I am more than ready to party… woo who… so let’s have some fun with Rave Reviews Book Club’s BACK-TO-SCHOOL BOOK & BLOG BLOCK PARTY, this is my stop here at Finder’s Keepers – Author Tracey Clark…
My Give-aways!!!
One lucky winner will be chosen to receive either
jewelry *(bracelet or earrings – made by me)
or one of the keychains I’ve been working on… (incase you’re not looking for jewelry)
as well as a personally made bookmark…
all you have to do is leave a commentat the bottom of this post… and you are entered to win… see… super easy… here is a peek at some of the pieces you will have to choose from…
number of winners: 2
while there is only one winner for the Block Party, I will also be choosing a winner from those of you interested in signing up for my Newsletter
and don’t forget to stop by the other blogs just waiting to give out freebies… check out the other blog scheduled for today…
and now for a little bit of fun… how about a character interview… let’s see if Makayla LaPine (from my latest novel – Southern Discoveries) will tell us what she really think about our Princess Marin, how she feels about the man in her life (if Quaidin even stands a chance), and how she plans to work together with Marin without either of them killing each other… lol… (Books and Blurbs can be found at the bottom of the page…as well as an exciting summer sale!!!)
B2 Finder’s Keepers
Character Interview – Makayla LaPine
Interviewer (Jazz):(rubbing his hands together, a wolfish grin growing on his face, he speaks into the hidden camera, practically bouncing in his seat…)
Hey y’all… Jazz here with SBI – Affairs (we are the supernatural version of the human Internal Affairs, but with sass… our work is shared with the Supe Community during these daily news reports)…
Today I will be sitting down with Makayla LaPine… sadly, no one knows if Ms. LaPine is a Norm or not (meaning without magical genetics), which means we will be proceeding with caution… it also gives us an excuse to delve into the personal… muhahahaha…
(straightens up in his chair) oh, here she comes…
Makayla: (oozing sex, she saunters into the room, perching the seat next to Jazz as if ready for a photo shoot)
I was told ya needed ta speak with me??? What can I do for ya, darlin’?
Jazz: (the purring of her voice momentarily wipes all his carefully prepared questions from his mind… the woman practically screamed wanton perfection…)
ummm…. I need you… I mean I need to ask you a few questions… your boss needs me to ask you a few questions.
(clearing his throat, he starts over)
Anton has asked me to double check a few things when it comes to his highest ranking Finders. Nothing difficult… just background, interaction with others, and a few general job related questions.
Makayla: As ya like.
(she waves her hand airily through the air and waits for him to continue…)
Jazz: (he is dying to ask what she knows about the supernatural community, but Queen’s Law forbids the discussion of anything magical unless you are 100% sure that the person you’re with is one the varying Supes that make up the different magical races. Shaking his head, it is hard to believe that the level of sexual attraction exuding from her pores is anything but magic.)
Let’s start off with a simple question. How do you like working for Finder’s Keepers? Working with other Finders to locate lost or stolen people and material objects?
Makayla: For da most part, I’d say rewardin’… Ya never know what kinda delicious secrets ya’ll discover in this job. Oh, and helpin’ others, of course.
Workin’ side by side with a bunch-a gorgeous alpha males helps to make each day excitin’. Them yummy rascals really know what they’re doin’. Even our number one research gal, Marin, seems ta-have come inta her own. All n’all a wonderful team.
Jazz: (Thrown off track, he rechecks his background research… this woman was supposed to be a grade A biotch… shaking his head, he continues carefully…)
Most consider you to be a man-eater. Your treatment of others brass, confrontational, and a bit on the rude side.
Makayla: (flipping her hair over her shoulder, she straightens in her chair)
I do what I’se have ta… if them no account lay-abouts have sumptin ta say-
I’se git da job done, in half’ta time, an’ all without da help of dim polecats… unlike some… sleepin’ der way ta da top, an’ lord-a-mercy… the complainin’ I’se deal with…
Jus cuz I’se have a healthy appreciation fur male companionship? Dis makes me a Man-eater? Jealousy tis what it tis.
Jazz: (barely able to understand a word of her angry southern-twang rant, he slouches down in his seat, nodding)
Ummm… I totally agree?
(clearing his throat, he continues)
So how would you describe your relationship with Marin??
Makayla: (for some reason the question makes her narrow her eyes before she answers)
I’ve never given da girl much thought really… other than da fact dat she obviously has a ‘special’ relationship with our boss, Antonius Slade… I mean… up until dis last week or so, she didn’t seem ta have much worth… other than her phenomenal research capabilities…
I’se have ta admit, her background and research for my Finds always leaves me with very little ta do… but something has changed… lately everyone has been running ta Marin for help… normally she would be the last person I would dream of goin’ to for help-
Jazz: (sits forward and interrupts)
Really… What type of Find are we talking about??
Makayla: (waves hand dismissively through the air)
I recon I’se better see how Marin fairs before sharing my secrets with anybody else! Needless ta say, something was taken from me more dan twenty years ago. I decided dat if my boss and my co-workers were looking ta Marin for help, I needed ta get on board. Heck… I believe that she may truly be my last hope.
Jazz: (ducks his head to cover a smirk)
Well… if you don’t feel like talking about your co-workers and the Finds you guys are involved in, let’s move on.
What do you think of the newcomers to Finder’s Keepers? They may be just borrowing office space, but it has been pointed out by quite a few people that Quaidin Lari can’t keep his eyes off of you.
Makayla: (twists her fingers)
Oh… yeah… well, he’s…
Besides… I need ta focus on helpin’ Marin with da Find… I don’t have time for his attention, no matter how pretty da package.
Jazz: (doesn’t know how to respond… especially when he notices the light reddening of her cheeks… )
Right. So…
(Can’t think of anything non-magical to ask… but before he can continue, Makayla oozes to her feet)
Makayla: (hands on her hips)
Why don’t ya tell da big boss-man ta reschedule dis little interview for when ya have yur questions in better order, and you’re able ta keep yur tongue in yur mouth long enough ta ask’em.
(Huffs out of the room)
Jazz: (loosens his tie, he slumps down in his seat)
Well that was definitely an experience… the power coming off that woman is almost as frightening as her sharp attitude… if she isn’t one of the Fae, then she is definitely something powerful… I for one wouldn’t want to face her in a fight…
anywho… that’s all for now… tune in Aug 29th to hear from our long lost princess… Marin will be in the hot seat as we stop in at Finder’s Keepers Series site, and hopefully she will feel like sharing a secret or two with us… 😛
Blurb for Southern Discoveries…
Makayla can’t believe that her life has been reduced to this… asking the flighty office girl for help. Could Marin really be capable of working the decades old Find that has plagued Makayla for most of her life? With her goal within reach, she will take a chance on Marin, avoiding all distractions. Especially the overwhelmingly delicious stranger begging for her attention.
Quaidin Lari wants to get in, finish his mission, and get out. Anything to get back to Out-realm and as far from Earth-side Kentucky as possible. His band of mercenaries – the Fianna – have one goal… to locate Marin, the highly sought after Fae Princess, and see to her protection. As the Incubus on the squad, he needs to focus on persuasion and manipulation.
The mission was a walk in the park… until her. Quaidin never saw Makayla coming. A woman with enough sexual allure to bring him to his knees…
And…. on the shelf for Summer Sale we have my first novel… Shocking Finds
woo who… 99 cent Summer Sale…
here is the blurb and buy links…
Blurb:
An act of rebellion, Marin doesn’t think that running into the new store in town will hurt anything. Her aunt will never know… right? One car wreck later, her aunt is hospitalized, Marin is forced to spend her twenty-first birthday fighting for her life, and magic – the very thing her aunt has always sworn to be for fools – is real. And so is the irresistible Fae dedicated to Marin’s protection.
Kyland has searched Earth-side and all the other realms, looking for a missing Fae child. A child his Queen prophesied would be able to one day save the Fae people from the Danshue, as the evil Fae threat tries to overwhelm the entire Supernatural Community. A child that would know nothing of her blocked gifts, or her Fae heritage waiting to be claimed. A child that has grown into a curvy, delicious morsel he would love to taste
Together Marin and Kyland will fight Fae assassins, overcome betrayals, and if they’re lucky … they will find the Danshue responsible for their plight. That’s if Marin doesn’t shock him to death with her erratic new gift, and her out of control emotions.
for information about my short stories to be found in the following anthologies, go to Finder’s Keepers Series … or click on the link at the top of the page for Book Site… woo who…
and finally, here is some information on my short story Goodbye Roanoke… only 99 cents…
Blurb:
What happened to the Lost Colony of Roanoke? Jodina knows that she should be embarrassed, but really… they had it coming. As a Vampire/Dragon hybred, Jodina has lived for more than 200 years avoiding humans and supernatural creatures alike. But one accidental fire – hey, her Dragon side can be a bit testy – and she finds herself locked up with a handsome Vampire and a few innocent children. Their crimes? Well, the mob outside their cell has decided that they are unclean abominations… Jealousy and fear, with a heaping dose of hate, can turn human beings into deadly creatures.
& (1) E-book copy of “DAYDREAM’S DAUGHTER, NIGHTMARE’S FRIEND;”
alright… since tomorrow I this will be one of the stops, I can’t post anything else… or can I … muhahahaha… 😛 tomorrow I will put up the list of daily stops on my Book Site – Finder’s Keepers Series
woo who… remember to leave a comment when you head to the Block Party Blog stops, and you will be automatically entered to win prizes… yay!!! later fearless readers, tracey
(1) $15.00 Amazon or B&N Gift Card (winner’s choice);
woo who… lots of chances to win here… I don’t know about you guys, but I love gift cards… give me a gift card to Amazon or Hobby Lobby and you just make my day… 😛
okay, that all I have right now… good luck and have fun… tracey
GIVEAWAY! Those that comment on my post will be eligible for a $10 Amazon Gift Certificate! (location: New York, US) And be sure to visit the other blogs on the tour – each one has prizes to…
alrighty then… this is a repost of sorts, though not from my own blog sites… I had someone else publish this about a year ago, and thought that it had been long enough and wanted to share it here for fifth Friday… I really enjoyed writing it, and would love to here everyone else’s dos and don’ts when it comes to writing…
Add a Little Sex, Humor, and Fighting
Writing you novel, and looking for the best way to keep your readers interested??? Here are a few aspects that I always try to include…
Finding the words to make you Novel memorable!!
The easiest way to write about something is to know it inside and out. If you want to understand the inner workings of the restaurant business??? Want to be able to describe the feeling of flying through the air??? How about explaining the reality of living on a horse ranch???
Watch, Ask, and Do!!! Stalk local restaurants, pull out your pad and pen as you interview anyone that will stand still long enough, and see if you can help out in the kitchen (get hired on a month/summer basis). Take a flying lesson and do all you can to learn the ropes. Lasso yourself a cowboy and … Sorry, got distracted by the thought of cowboys and lassos, but I think you get the picture. Do anything and everything you can think of to learn the feel, the taste, and the sights of the world you want to create.
Sex
But what happens when you want to add a little sexual tension to your novel? How about those full blown sex scenes?? Some of the things we add to our novels are either impractical or impossible for us to learn about first hand. Remember that song Can’t Buy Me Love?? Well, you can’t force a love connection just to learn what it feels like. You might not want to try out some of the bedroom gymnastics portrayed by the lustiest of novels. What in the world do you do now?
Well, you could always make it up, use your imagination. But where to start? And how are you going to get your reader to pay attentions when your words feel rushed or halting? LOL I suggest you look it up.
I love romance, from the behind-the-bedroom-door actions to the break-the-bed-and-hope-the-neighbors-don’t-call-the-police sex-capaids. By the time I finished writing Shocking Finds and my other rough drafts, my book shelf looks like a How to Become a Porn Addict guide. My mother borrowed my kindle and just about had a heart attack. But we learned to become writers by reading, so learn about being a romance writer by reading … romance, light hearted or pornish. Read each book and find the scenes that speak to your emotions, and your fantasies. How do they describe the feel of a man’s hand along your thigh, caressing your back, or jerking you into his arms. Learn how to put the feel of each action into the scene, don’t just tell the reader it happened. Get your own romance collection.
Humor
Humor can be even harder to portray than passion. We live in a diverse world, with varying senses of humor. Have you ever been at a party and stood with your friends as they doubled over in laughter, all while you looked on in confusion? If liquor wasn’t involved, chances are that you either missed the joke or just didn’t find it funny. Or worse … Have you told a story that brought tears laughter to your eyes, but looked around to see that your friends were scratching their heads, going over your words, and looking for the humor?? Reading is only the first step to attacking this issue.
Okay. Reading something that you find funny might not help you to impress your friends, but reading something that millions of other readers considered humorous may improve your writing. Humor is just as important and passion when it comes to adding emotions to your novel. You want your reader to get lost in the worlds you create. If they can feel each scene, then you are on the right track. This is something that I hope to get better and more polished at as I continue to write.
If all else fails, try a comedy club or two. Get in a frame of mind that helps your words to come out in flowing manner, instead of just dropping a joke into you story now and them. Personally, I don’t even consider what kind of emotion or humor I can add to my story when I’m writing that rough draft. As I bring my story to life I try to see where they are going, how I can build up to that moment when the emotions (no matter if it is passions, anger, failure, gut wrenching sadness, or humor) will reach the page full tilt.
Fighting
Oooo… Fighting, bloodbaths, all out war… Okay, this one is easy. First you make sure that your annoying neighbor, with the yappy dog, and lack of parking etiquette is home. You do some stretches, get your muscles loose and ready, and then walk over and punch him in the face… see, easy…
What? You think that could lead to jail time, or just finding yourself lying on his doorstep as you watch little cartoon birdies fly around your head. Hmm. Well the other method is much harder. It also involves a great deal of reading, or you could take a martial arts class to learn the feel of some of the moves and defenses. I was lucky enough to take a karate class as a child. That was long ago but some of the motions are hard to forget.
But fighting and violence isn’t just accomplished in a fist fight. You can stripe the hide off of someone’s sense of worth with words a lot easier than you can with a sidekick. I didn’t grow up in a household that contained harsh words, but some of you might be able to call on those memories. Pull them up and use them to make will have your reader sobbing and looking for the ice cream, clinching their fists on behalf of your character, or maybe feeling anxiety as you add more turmoil to your character’s life.
This is the hardest emotion for me to bring to my novels. So of course, I practice. The best results come when you hang out with a friend or two and then… Okay, just kidding. This is something that needs to be done in your head, or out loud as you drive down the highway. Alone. I usually look like an insane person when I’m driving. Sometimes bringing myself to tears with harsh words. Your friends can only help if you sit down and they are willing to have a heart to heart walk down memory lane with you. Otherwise … prepare to look a little loony as you fight with yourself as you cruise down the highway.
No matter what you decide to write, what you want to bring to your story, how you want to portray your characters lives and their world… remember to have fun with it. Enjoy what you write, and hopefully others will love it as well.
Well… I complained and complained about the heat… whined on my Multiple Sclerosis page about drowning in sweat and started making plans to move to a nudist colony… maybe somewhere in the Artic Circle…
Mother Nature (being the kind, crazy, and be careful what you wish for type of mother) decided what I really needed was a little rain… lol… and the dogs decided to help me out by demanded to be taken out in the wee hours of the morn, giving Mother Nature the perfect opportunity to upend a bucket of rain water on my head…
okay… obviously, that’s not me… 😛
have you ever been out side during an overcast day and heard the rain start to pour… it isn’t being dumped on your head, but you hear it being pushed across the land, the wind moving the clouds into position… yep… that was me at three in the morning… I couldn’t run for cover without my dogs… and only one goes out on a leash… she I could have dragged into the house… but the boy (moe-moe) was in the middle of doing his business and refused to be rushed…
after the first few seconds of hunkering over, I actually enjoyed the impromptu shower… lol … not my preferred method of cooling off, but still, it was nice to have the sweat washed away…
anywho…
here’s a teaser for Southern Discoveries… out june 9th
Marin had had just about enough of this conversation. Besides… Kyland would be there at any moment. She could feel his terror and rage bouncing around in her mind, followed by some considerable urgency from her invisible friend. She didn’t need words to know that her buzzing friend was right. Kyland could hurt someone by accident, maybe even a child, if she didn’t calm the situation down.
Holding their connection close, Marin could feel her mate barreling her way.
Doing her best to stay awake, Marin flinched as she shouted, “Listen lady. My extremely pissed off mate will be here at any-”
Before her words were completely out of her mouth, Kyland popped into existence. “ARGH… Where is she?”
“Kyland. No. The kids.” That’s all Marin managed to say. She was suddenly cradled close to his chest like a fragile child. “I’m okay.” And barring a few scrapes and bruises, she was fine. Well… there might be a concussion, but she sooo wasn’t telling Kyland that.
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4 out of 5 read-ologists recommend this WordPress.com site. ups and downs of writer's insanity and day to day life. I will write whatever makes the voices happy, for a writer that ignores her inner voices is merely a mental breakdown waiting to happen. Keeping the voices happy and creating new worlds for them to play in is my main goal.
Finder's Keepers - Author Tracey Clark 