Ginger Simpson's Blog, page 16

What Draws you into a Story? by Connie Vines #Round Robin @connievines_author

What draws you into a story?


What draws me into a fictional story novel?

The characters are what bring me into the story and keep me involved in, and through, the whole novel or even the entire series.

The writing style (author voice) and the plot do add to the story.  However, since my stories are character driven rather than plot-driven, I assume this is why I find that style of writing so appealing.

While the opening paragraph catches my attention, it doesn’t always sell the novel. I will read the first three pages and the back blurb before making the purchase.  Of course, I usually complete an entire series by a author.  However, I have found a number of best-selling authors co-writing his/her series as of late. I am able to tell that something is 'off' in the plot and 'voice' .  I do not enjoy the stories as much.  And, unfortunately, I find myself in no hurry to pre-order or download the story upon release.

To get back on topic.

As a child, I read Nancy Drew mysteries and any story which centered around ancient Egypt, Greek myths, legends and, of course, horses and dogs (my favorite being Poodles).

One opening hook in a children’s book, that I still recall today, was from Charlotte's Web.

"Where is Papa going with that ax?"

Another opening is from I Capture the Castle.

"I write this sitting in the kitchen sink."

We all have our favorite type of opening paragraph.  What is your favorite?  Action? Dialogue? Narrative?

Here are several of my opening paragraphs:

Charlene hadn't told Rachel that she'd fixed her up with a cowboy, much less Lynx Maddox, the "Wild Cat" of the rodeo circuit.  Rachel sighed.  She should have know.   After all, Charlene only dated men who wore boots and Stetson.  Lynx, Rodeo Romance, Book 1


Audralynn Maddox heard her own soft cry, but the pain exploding inside her head made everything else surreal, distanced somehow by the realization that someone had made a mistake.

A terrible mistake.  Brede, Rodeo Romance, Book 2


Prologue, 1868

The Governor of New Mexico decreed that all Indian Children over six to be educated in the ways of the white man.

Indian Commissioner, Thomas Morgan, said: It is cheaper to educate the Indians than to kill them.

1880, Apacheria, Season of Ripened Berries

Isolated bands of colored clay on white limestone remained where the sagebrush was stripped from Mother Earth by sudden storms and surface waters. Desolate. Bleak. A land made of barren rocks and twisted paths that reach out into the silence.

A world of hunger and hardship.  This is my world.  I am Tanayia.  I was born thirteen winters ago. My people call ourselves "Nde" this means "The People".  The white man calls us Apache.

Tanayia--Whisper upon the Water, Native American/First People Series, Book 1


"You and Elvis have done a great job on this home," Meredith said as her older sister led the way downstairs toward the kitchen where to tour began.  "Sorry I couldn't get over, until now, but I've been sort of...well, busy."  Slipping her Juicy Couture tortoise-shell framed sunglasses into a bright pink case, Meredith crammed them into her black Coach handbag.  She hoped her sister didn't ask her to define busy.  Becoming a zombie, and dealing with the entire raised from the dead issue over the past six months, was not a topic easily plunked int casual conversation.

Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow,  A Sassy and Fun Fantasy Series,  Book 1


Remember my books are 60% at Smashwords!
Big, Big Sale!



Visit the other member's of our Round Robin Blog hop.  They have exciting stories to tell!

Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.comSkye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_seaHelena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blogJudith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1RRFiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/Marci Baun  http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

I'm blogging at Romance Gems today!Remember, it's Friday ...

I'm blogging at Romance Gems today!

Remember, it's Friday the 13th-- a good day for romance!

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Contemporary Fiction and Today's Politics by Connie Vines @author_connievines

How should fiction set in today’s times treat politics?

Thank you Dr. Bob for this month's Round Robin Blog topic.

I do not mention politics in my contemporary fiction. My western romance and romantic suspense novels highlight regional influences and traditions but ignore politics.

Why?  

It's not because I'm unaware of the world of politics, Global and within the U.S.A., I am writing fiction with a strong romantic element.  I do not find politics romantic.  And even if I did, by the time my novel came into print or were downloaded into eBook readers, the political climate could have changed--my hero's stance is no longer be considered 'hero-like', or, relevant.  

Now my historical novels are a different matter.  History is history.  Historical research involves  means fact collecting: diaries, journals, newspaper articles (different slants), art, government records, (often) first-person interviews, and photographs---there was no photo-shop app.in history to hide scars, or disguise the look of hunger or sorrow in the eyes of children.

"Tanayia--Whisper upon the Water" highlights a 'hot-bed' of political, racial, and government policies from the late 1800s until early 1900s--when the Native American Indians was forced onto Reservations and their children to sent to government run boarding schools.


I choose my political stories with great-care.  I make a point of showing both-sides of the story.  The world was different, harsher, less-forgiving and less open-minded place then.  Life was often cut short. I do not paint anyone as purely 'evil' but a product of his or her time and or environment because everyone is a innocent at birth.


https://books2read.com/b/Tanayia

So, reader's what is your take on politics in a contemporary novel?

Be sure and visit the talented writers of this month' s Round Robin Blog Hop and read what they have written.













Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1Qt
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Rhobin Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/

How Can Contemporary Fiction Cope with the Changes of Today? #RR, #RoundRobin

Thank you, Dr. Bob, for this month’s blog topic. 

How can contemporary fiction cope with the rapid changes of today’s world?
First, I’d like to define what I believe defines a contemporary romance. 
·         A bone-deep sense of hope that true love is possible. 
Books that show Love is the way to everything that’s good.
·         Before the HEA there must be character growth and endings can also aim at a broad moral good.
·         A romance doesn’t have to solve the world’s problems.  Sometimes you want to witness the power of love.
  How Contemporary Romance Can Cope with the Rapid Changes of Today.
What trends do I see so romance novels can keep pace with today’s world?·         Becoming more inclusive (though I have witnessed this trend over the past several years).  Everyone needs to be experiencing his/her happy ending.·         This means people over 40, people of color, same-sex couples, disabled people, the list goes on. 
Redefining Motivating Factors.
·         Uphold/subvert capitalism.  In so many romance novels, the two seem inextricably tied (more so in historical novels). Marriage and romance over the centuries have been connected.  Therefore, it isn’t easy to liberate romance (Cinderella, Jane Eyre, etc.) from this narrative.
·         Or individualism in the romantic arc, “I need to complete this project so I get a big promotion.”
What do I expect to see in 2020 and in the hear future?
·         Narratives of belonging.
·         The arts
·         Community spirit
·         Family gathered at the dinner table giving thanks for the meal delivered by a ‘home-chef service’ but prepared by all.
What changes to you expect to see in contemporary romance novels?
What plot is your favorite?
What do you believe defines a modern day contemporary romance?
List of this month’s participants:
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_seaDr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1OKHelena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blogConnie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

Connie

Flash Fiction Story by Connie Vines #RoundRobin

This month's Round Robin Blog Authors are posting Flash Fiction or story excerpts for your enjoyment
Marrying off MurphyⓒFlash FictionContemporary RomanceConnie Vines
Snagging a copy of the OP News, Professor Murphy Flynn found himself staring at his unflattering photo. The headline: “Bachelor Auction.” The submissions editor was Sylvie Dupree. A dark-haired Creole beauty who was his stepsister’s best friend.
#
“Tallulah Belle!”

Sylvie bolted from her chair.

“You’ve made me the laughing stock of the faculty.”

Sylvie peaked around the corner to see her boss wave the program under his nose.
“Murph, it’s for charity.”

Murphy’s gaze locked with hers. “If I’m going to do this, I need to look the part. Sylvie, can you help me?”

Her mouth went dry and her pulse fluttered.  “Laissez les bon temps rouler, Murphy.”
#
Leaving Murphy at the barbershop, Sylvie examined the tailored shirts in at the department store.
“Is that the shirt you’d like me to try on?”

The tall, vaguely familiar man reached for the garment and she released the hanger with nervous fingers. No way. This gorgeous male was… “Murphy?”

He arched one eyebrow. “Yes?”

Sylvie knew her jaw had gone slack and she was staring, but she couldn’t help it. Murphy had gotten his haircut and styled, and he’d shaved his beard. His cheekbones had a Slavic slant to them, his jaw was firm and sexy; and his hair had a tousled look. She had a feeling she’d unleashed a tiger.

#“Let’s go over the program again,” Sylvie coached Murphy behind the temporary rigged curtain inside the crowded restaurant.

“I smile, walk down the runway, take off my jacket, turn around, and then walk back to the podium.”
The frenzied sounds of bidding for the first bachelor filled the room. “It’s the emcee’s job to pump up the bids. Just strut your stuff.”

“Strut my stuff!” he yelped.

Sylvie seized him by the hand. “It’s an auction, a bachelor bidding war, remember?”
“Sylvie,” Murphy growled, his eyes dark with desire, as well as a hint of fear.

She liked the crisp scent of his cologne and the flare of fire in his green eyes.

Murphy stroked Sylvie’s jaw, is mouth hovered a mere inch from her own.  “Do you really want me to smile at other women?”

Before she could admit her feelings, Tallulah parted the curtain and shoved Murphy onto the stage.
#
“What did you say to him?”

Sylvie watched Murphy toss his jacket into the crowd and yank off his bowtie.  “I told him to strut his stuff.”

“Three-hundred!”

“Three-fifty!”

Tallulah glanced at the crowd. “Don’t just sit there, Sylvie. Bid!”

“Oh, I can’t just—” Sylvie watched, rendered speechless, as Murphy unbuckled his belt and tugged his shirt free of his trousers. “Five hundred!” she screamed.

“Six!”

“Seven!” she countered.

“One thousand!”

The emcee’s gavel hits the podium. “Going once, twice—”

“Two-thousand!” Sylvie shouted, knowing darn well her check would bounce.

“Sold!” yelled Murphy. He jumped off the stage, hauled Sylvie out of her chair, and led her to a secluded corner.

As his lips captured hers, Sylvie tangled her fingers into his hair. The sweet and gentle kiss soon turned hot and fierce.

“Laissez les bon temps rouler,” she murmured against his lips. Let the good times roll!


I hope you enjoyed my Flash Fiction Story, "Marrying Off Murphy".

Remember all of my ebooks are on sale!  75% off on Smashwords until Jan.1, 2020.


Smashwords  Link for Sale Prices!

Visit the blogs our participating authors to see what tales each has woven for your enjoyment!

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1Ng
Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com
A.J. Maguire http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

I'm Blogging at Romance Gems

I'm Blogging Today at Romance Gems Blogspot.com

https://romancegems.blogspot.com/

The Scents and Memories of the Holidays

Please stop by and sign up for Candy Cane Kisses Giveaways!

The Oddest Character I Ever Dream Up by Connie Vines #Round Robin

Thank you, Robin, for this month’s Round Robin Topic:

What is the oddest character you have every dream up, and how did he/she fit into a story?

Odd adjective, odd·er, odd·est.
differing in nature from what is ordinary, usual, or expected: an odd choice. singular or peculiar in a strange or eccentric way: an odd person; odd manners.

I seem to have eccentric people in most of my stories.

My favorite, however, is Caldwell, the cankerous cook in Brede, Rodeo Romance Book 2.

Caldwell keeps everyone on their toes.  His humor is biting, but Caldwell also has a soft-spot for those he cares about.  And to everyone’s amazement, he’s a bit of a Romero!

The ‘winner’ of my oddest character, should probably be awarded to Meredith, my zombie heroine in Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow.  Though I must admit, even in her Zombie persona, Meredith is surprisingly normal.  Perhaps this is what is ‘odd’.

How do you feel about odd characters in a novel?

What is the favorite ‘odd, oddish’ character from a novel?

Please visit the other authors in this month’s round robin blog!

Happy Reading,

Connie










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

November Romance Gems Contest and Raffelcopter Drawing

November Romance Gems Video

The Contests being November 4th and run until the November.

#RomanceGems #Raffelcopter #RomanceGems Blog


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LIFE LESSONS

November is the month for Gratitude, Appreciation, and counting your Blessings if you are religious and/or philosophical. Grateful, Thankful, Blessed—that's what many of us are, but we probably don't think about that often enough.

Most of us have lived long enough that we've made a lot of mistakes. From those mistakes, we've learned. After all, wisdom comes from learning from mistakes.

With that thought in mind, we decided to make our November Promotion about the Life Lessons we've learned and want to share with you.

On every daily post, feel free to leave a comment about a Life Lesson you learned along the way. You may help someone who is confronting a similar issue.

Our November Rafflecopter has 5 Amazon Gift Cards as prizes. Be sure to enter often to improve your chances of winning, and, please, tell your friends about Romance Gems—our Authors, our books, our blog posts, and our Giveaway every month.

What is my favorite thing about Halloween?My Halloween Ev...

What is my favorite thing about Halloween?

My Halloween Event is my Spook-tacular Dinner Party for my children and grandchildren.

Each year there is a different theme for the dinner and party. I email invitations with the menu.

 My first dinner featured “Deadman over Worms” (meatloaf in person-form with a fork in the chest) served over wheat pasta with snips of parsley, bleeding cemetery cake, and eyeball, witches-fingers.

The next year it was hot-dogs carved to look like bloody fingers served in a hot dog bun, punch with ice-cube eyeballs, dip that looked like slime, veggies arranged to look like a skeleton, chocolates shaped like mice served over cake with chopped and crushed candy to resemble graveyard dirt.

For photos and inspiration visit my Zombie Nite Café on Pinterest.

https://www.pinterest.com/novelsbyconniev/zombie-nite-cafe/

Of course, everyone dresses up, we play spooky music, and play games.  All these events are very tame and especially for preschoolers.   Everyone goes home with a goodie-bag and toy (flying bats, wax teeth, a blinking necklace).

The planning and selected theme is discussed through out the year.  As the children matured, they helped prepare the meal.  Painting the bloody fingers with ketchup, smashing the ghosts (mashed potatoes), and taste-testing the cemetery dirt were the most popular.

Happy Halloween my Lovelies,

Connie Vines

Unique Situations by Connie Vines

The best stories connect with readers on a visceral level. They transport us to another time and place and put us in a different “skin,” where we face challenges we may never know in life. And yet, the commonality of the story problem draws us onward and, in solving it vicariously through the
protagonist, changes us.

This Month's Topic:
Unique Situations.  Your story/characters changing direction.

What happens when a story or your character(s) take a different direction?

What happens when characters that take over your story? t One of the highest compliments I’ve never received for my novel “Lynx”, Rodeo Romance came when one reader told me she thought about my story constantly. She said that Lynx and Rachel’s story seemed so real, so heart wrenching, and their love so very enduring.  She said that she was going through a difficult time in her life and my story gave her hope.  Hope.  Hope for someone during a desperate time—I felt blessed that she shared her story.  I was also humbled.  It is moment such as this that I know just how powerful worlds and stories are to our readers.

While I never sit down at the keyboard and say, “I think I will write a powerful, life-changing story today.”  What I do, by nature, is select a social issue for the core of my stories.  Since my stories are character driven and often told in the first person, the emotion has a natural flow.

How do you create this type of engagement with your story?

Go beyond the five senses.  Your reader must feel your character’s emotions.  Your reader must forget there is a world outside of your story.

Embrace idiosyncrasies.  As teenagers everyone wanted to fit in, be one of the crowd.  Your character isn’t like anyone else.  Give him an unexpected, but believable trait.  In “Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow”,  my heroine, a Zombie has a pet. Not a zombie pet. Not a dog, or a cat.  She has a teddy bear hamster named Gertie.

Make them laugh. It doesn’t need to be slap-stick.  Just a little comic relief when the reader least expects it to happen.

Make them cry.  Remember the scene in the movie classic, Romancing the Stone, where Joan Wilder is crying when she writes the final scene in her novel?  I find this is the key.  If you are crying, your reader will be crying too.

If you are writing a romance, make them fall in love.  Make the magic last.  The first meeting, first kiss, the moment of falling in love.  These are the memories our readers savor, wait for in our stories.

 Don’t disappoint them.

As Emily Dickinson, said so well:
There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!

And when you character decide to take over your story-line, or create a persona of his or her making, step out of the way!

Enjoy Halloween, my lovelies!

https://books2read.com/



Here-Today-Zombie-Tomorrow
Connie








Round Robin Blog Hop Members: 


A.J. Maguire  http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_seaJudith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/Margaret Fieland http://margaretfieland.wordpress.comHelena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blogDr. Bob Rich  https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1JSDiane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com