Ginger Simpson's Blog, page 13

I'm At BWL Insider Author's Blog Today!

 https://bwlauthors.blogspot.com/

"What Do Bats Have to Do With Halloween?" 

**Remember only WILD ANIMAL RESCUE GROUPS or Wildlife Vets are trained to to rehab bats, or any wild creature.
These little guys are cute.  My favorite place to observe bats is at the San Diego Zoo. Or, Carlsbad's Caverns.
However, I do not touch them. Or get too close.

I'm also sharing my pumpkin soup recipe, too.

Intuitive and Subtle Themes in My Novels by Connie Vines RR#88, @connievines-author

 Most novels have an easily understood point to make to the reader, do your stories ever have more subtle or intuitive themes? 

Thank you Robin for this month's topic.

An easily understood theme.  This statement caused to me chuckle.

When I complete my novel/short-story/article, etc. the theme is easily understood.  Not so when I first sit down at the keyboard.

Even though I write with only a very basic outline (I've evolved or devolved into a panster in my writing process).

And, this process, involves a great deal of fumbling during the process:

1. Look for Your Character’s Theme

Theme is always rooted in character. Your characters, specifically your protagonist, will tell you what your theme is about. Even if you try to tack on another theme, what your story is really about is whatever is at the heart of your character’s internal struggle.

This means you can’t just dream up some wild and unexpected thematic premise and squirt it onto your story like Dijon mustard onto a hot dog bun. You have to start with what you’ve already got. Look at your character—who she/he is and what she//he wants—and look at what she’s/he's doing in the plot.

Now look harder.

Let’s say you’re me and you’re writing a time-travel story (which, it so happens, I am). It’s novella 3 of my Sassy and Fun Fantasy Series about a professor of ancient civilizations and her not-historically-inclined fiancee. While she's the one who finds herself in ancient Egypt, he's the one tasked with bringing her home in time for their wedding.  No superpowers or cell phones in this plot-line.  

On its surface, that’s a story about good versus the unknown/evil, with true-love thrown in as a side dish. No superpowers, cell phones, or time-traveling map.  Our main characters are in huge trouble.

So we dig deeper. We look at what specific struggles this character is facing.

What does he want?

Why does he want it?

What is he willing to selflessly sacrifice to get it?

What is he willing to selfishly sacrifice?

What will he gain and what will he lose by the story’s end?

How will he have changed?

When asking yourself these questions about your character, the right answers probably won’t be immediately evident. You’ll have to think about them. You’ll have to recognize and reject most of the obvious answers. In the process, you may find your conception of the character and plot evolving into something deeper right alongside your theme. Since it's ancient Egypt, it will be an intuitive theme.

2. What’s a General Question You Feel You’re Always Asking About Life?

Don’t stop at the “little” life questions right there in front of your face. Look up and look out. What are the big questions that it seems like you’re always asking in one way or another? Obviously, a novella or short-story won't have a multi-layered plot or a wide-cast-of-characters but there's always a purpose.

3. What’s a Virtue You Feel Is Undervalued?

If you’re writing a story with a Positive Change Arc and a happy ending, then your theme will probably focus on affirming a virtue—love, courage, justice, mercy, kindness, self-sacrifice. If this so, don’t just pick the obvious one—love for romance and courage for action. Instead, choose one that is important to you and that you feel is either undervalued in the world or underrepresented in fiction.

4. I believe Universal Truths Can’t be Unique.

 It’s the way a character wrestles with truth that touches a chord of recognition in the reader. The story feels both thin and heavy-handed when the theme is obvious. Which is not to say that the theme should be deliberately obscured–but that the individual character’s struggle with the theme is what matters most.  I find I often rely on my writer's intuition resulting in a subtle secondary theme.

 5. Translating into my Stories.

"Lynx" Rodeo Romance deals with several themes, one of which is a personal one.  The same is true of "Tanayia--Whisper upon the Water". I believe this is why these novels have received awards and reviews.  Tapping into personal experiences and memories/trauma ring 'true' to others. 

The heart never lies.

 

On the lighter-side:

These two were banished from my office, for all of  ten minutes, for wrestling.

Chanel (background) Gavin (foreground)

Visit these talented writers to see what stories they are sharing this month: 

Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/

Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/

Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-22c

Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpres...

Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com

Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_b...

Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

Happy Reading,

Connie 

Please Bring Back Smokey the Bear by Connie Vines @California Forest Fires 2020 #SmokeytheBear

 https://www.smokeybear.com/en

I reside in Southern California about 35 miles from both the El Dorado Fire and the Bobcat Fire.

Yesterday the El Dorado Fire claimed the life of a Firefighter.  

The wildfire continues to burn in the San Bernardino National Forest, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes in mountain communities.

Please keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers.

Even if we are not in the evacuation area, the smoke, ash, and air quality is fearfully unhealthy.  Some are relying on medical grade-masks indoor their home.  Going outdoors is out of the question.

Here's what we know about the blaze so far today:

THE BASICS

Acreage: 21,678

Containment: 66%

Structures destroyed: 4 homes, 6 other structures

Structures damaged: 2 homes, 4 other structures

Residences evacuated: 3,467

Structures threatened: 26,031

Personnel: 1,351 firefighters

Deaths: one firefighter killed

Injuries: 12

CNN: El Dorado Fire

The Bobcat Fire continues to grow in the Angeles National Forest as the firefight enters its 13th day.

The blaze has been rapidly spreading north, prompting new evacuation orders and warnings for communities in the Angeles National Forest and foothills near the High Desert.

Here's what we know about the fire so far today.

THE BASICS

Acreage: 60,557 acres

Containment: 15%

Resources deployed: 1,300 firefighters

Bobcat Fire

Fires are also raging in Northern California, Oregon, and Washington.

Stay Safe.  

Please Remember: Fires become deadly in only a matter of moments!

Connie

Joan Reeves: Review of Paradise Perfume! #Joan Reeves, #SlingWords

Joan Reeves: Review Paradise Perfume



Thanks Joan!

Please visit Joan's blog for FREE STUFF, Reviews, and more!  And, of course, to read her review!



Joan Reeves is a New York Times and a USA Today bestselling author of Contemporary Romance. Her novels--Keeping Romance Alive...One Sexy Book at a Time--have been published in a half dozen languages, and her ebooks are available at most ebook sellers with audio book and print editions also available.

I'm Blogging about the heat, roses, and Neil Diamond at my publisher's website!

Stop by and remember to sign-up for the giveaways!

https://bwlauthors.blogspot.com/



"Sweet Caroline"

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner--No, an Amazon Gift Card! By Connie Vines #ContestWinner

J. Q. Rose, author at BWL Publishing, graciously invited me to guest blog about my current release.

https://www.jqrose.com/

I had a wonderful cyber time!  There was also drawing for a participation prize for visitors/commentators.



The winner is: Marsha from Texas.  Her Amazon e-gift card is on it's way.

Making a Story Real for your Reader by Connie Vines #RR87 @connievines_author

 What elements do you include in your stories to
make a story seem and feel more realistic to the reader?

The challenge of every fiction writer or non-fiction writer creating a fictional story, is to craft a fictional story that is believable. This challenge is taken to new levels for writers of realistic fiction. These stories, which are woven around real events that have taken place, can be formed around memoirs, historical moments, and even horror stories if desired. It is just important to remember that realistic fiction doesn’t blend well with other fictional genres. It must stand on its own.

That’s why it’s important to know how to write realistic fiction in a way that can relate to the reader, be realistic, but not include fantasy elements that drive readers away. Here’s how I keep it real for my readers.

#1. Don’t go crazy with your characters. Most people in real-life don’t have crazy names, (though spelling names phonetically is the latest craze.)  If a parent wishes his/her child going though life 'spelling his/her name' that's their business.  However, i don't give my characters crazy names. Sometimes a guy named Joe, Jacob, or Chris is good enough for realistic fiction.

#2. Give your story a good structure. Realistic fiction needs to involve the characters in a comprehensive way. People like to see what happens to them because realistic fiction puts the reader into the character’s shoes.

#3. Create a good introduction. You want your readers in realistic fiction to begin developing relationships with the characters immediately. This will help to draw them into the story. Let the first couple of pages be the setting where your readers develop a dialogue. Then let the events of your story begin to unfold for your characters. This will lure the reader in so they don’t want to put the book down.

#4. Make sure your settings are realistic as well.

#5. Create conflicts that are part of the character dialogue. Even close friends are going to have conflicts from time to time. In realistic fiction, these conflicts must also have a touch of realism to them.

#6. Build to a solid climax. The most common error that is seen in proposed realistic fiction is that the entire story builds up to a climax at the very end of the story. Remember to have plot-points, dark moments, and mini-resolutions to subplots.

#7. Create a conclusion with a twist. Have you ever worked hard for something only to have something unexpected happen?  Sometimes the conclusion of a realistic story is predictable and that’s a wonderful thing. Readers love it when everything works out as it should. For some characters, life might throw them a bit of a twist.

By keeping things real, you create stories that will help readers relate to your characters in a very personal way. There is no better method to create a story that people won’t want to put down until they’ve finished it.

I don't wish to give too much away in my works in progress, or my published stories.
But here's are a few teasers and hints of what is to come in my novels:

Current (Limited Time) Release:

"Paradise Perfume" a short romance story which is part of a box-set, Last Chance Beach, Summer's End. "Fragrance and love cannot be hidden."  My teaser gives hint at the theme.

My blurb tells a bit more:  Tempest Javid returns to Last Chance Beach to begin a new life.
Sam is a single dad on vacation with his pre-teem daughter. He's worried his daughter may become too attached to her, but maybe he's the one whose heart is at risk.

"Gumbo Ya Ya" an anthology for women who like Cajun romance, is my next release.
Each story has a 'Cajun main character.  And, of course, food is also part of the realistic slant of each story.

Please stop by and see what each of these talented authors have to say about "making a story" real!

Happy Reading!

Connie


Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1ZR
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com


Last Chance Beach, Summer's End (14-new stories!)
Still 99cents:



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CV3GN3R/











Free!   Companion to Last Chance Beach:




https://www.amazon.com/Cocktails-Last-Chance-Beach-Reeves-ebook/dp/B08DR4K3YX/

Last Chance Beach, Summer's End and Cocktails @ Last Chance Beach by Connie Vines

Who doesn't love a day at the beach?
Sand between your toes, the briny scent of sea air, and the salt water taste on your lips--good times.
And the music and the beach reads.
This box-set is only 99cents at Amazon and the companion Cocktail at Last Chance Beach is FREE!
14 new romance stories by 14 Bestselling and Award winning authors.
My short-story is Perfume Paradise.  A Sweet Summer Romance.  My heroine, Tempest Javid, has returned to Last Chance Beach to begin a new life.  
Fragrance and love cannot be hidden. . .




Cocktails on Last Chance Beach, recipes & excerpts from #LastChanceBeach #SummersEnd,  is No.1 Best Seller/Top 100/Alcoholic Beverages. If U think Cocktails are good, wait till you read the 14 #Romance #ShortStories in our #boxset. #99cents #KU https://viewbook.at/LCB-Summers-End

Free e-book! Cocktails on Last Chance Beach is FREE

Last Chance Beach, Summer's End, boxed-set, has 14 new romance stories
.
In Cocktail on Last Chance Beach you will be able to make these cocktails or mock-tails at home.

Each recipe has a tie-in to each writer's story.


Tempest and Sam spent a romantic evening at the Sands-on-the-Beach.  Don't you wonder what they were each drinking?

Take a sneak peek--if you haven't read my story, Perfume Paradise.  Or if you have read the story, Tempest's drink or mock-tail version, would help you beat the heat on a hot summer day!

Cocktails-Last-Chance-Beach/

Character Development--Delving into the Unknown by Connie Vines #RR85 @connievines_autnor

How do you develop a character who is different

in personality from all the other characters you have developed, or from yourself?

This month's topic took a bit of reflection on my part. 

It seems each one of my characters is different in personality, goals, dreams, and motivation.  Of course, if it is a romance story/novel  the plot-line and the characters are focused on love and romance; a mystery focuses on the mystery and a search for clues; fantasy, the norms of this other-world.  However, I visualize each of my characters in his or her own right.  Therefore, each is different from any characters who have come before, or will come after.

While none of my characters are me.  The way I look at the world, my sense of humor, likes and dislikes are often part of a character's world.

I dislike turnips, vegan 'meat', the color orange, turtle-neck clothing, and wedged shoes.  It is doubtful any of my characters will wearing an orange turtle-neck sweater, pants, wedged shoes at an event while holding a plate filled with a vegan hamburger sliders and turnip-fries.

In my current release is part of the box-set: LAST CHANCE BEACH, Summer's End. 
In"Paradise Perfume" my heroine, Tempest Javid, owns a Perfumery and is a fragrance consultant.  I have a background in perfuming and my skills are her skills (and more highly developed than my own).  Tempest's personality and goals are hers and hers alone.

 I find the characters unfold as my story develops. 




This wasn't always the case.

Until recently, I wrote very detailed plot-lines, character sketches, etc.  For my story,  "Paradise Perfume" I have a very basic plot line: the simple W method and only physical details and notes about my characters.

I just sat at my computer and wrote.  Dialogue popped into my head (which is the usual for me), but the plot-line just unfolded.
I go back the next day, write, and find I thought of details to go back and add in: a bracelet to be worn, her favorite fragrance,
his past history, etc.  I guess I'm officially a 'panster' now.  I'm writing by the seat of my pants without a net to catch me!

Link to LAST CHANCE BEACH, Summer's End.
only 99cents on preorder!



My next release: Gumbo Ya Ya--an anthology for women who like Cajun romance, is an August release @ BWL publishing Inc.

Marrying of Murphy, is a fun, fast-paced story, Love Potion # 9,  (Persia Richmond is a perfumer who may have/ or may not have developed a Love Potion).  So one again, my perfuming skills are are a part of the plot-line!  A Slice of Scandal, a mini-TV cooking show murder/mystery, and The Pirate Ghost, a time-travel love story.




Publisher's Website/ Gumbo Ya Ya


See what these talented writers have to say about character development!

Connie


Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1Y4
Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com