Ginger Simpson's Blog, page 4

J.Q. Rose "Bites 'n Books" Is Celebrating Christmas in July! I'm Sharing Recipes and a Century Old Family Secret!

https://www.jqrose.com/2023/07/recipes-n-reads-series-christmas-in.html

Beat the Summer Heat with a good book and a sweet treat!

Connie 

Emotional Wounds for your Protagonists By Connie Vines RR, #Round Robin, #Writing Tips, #Character Development

Emotional Wounds for Your Protagonists - And how to help them learn to cope/accept

How Do You Discover Your Character's Wound?
When I begin plotting a novel, I have a clear idea of my main characters' likes/dislikes, physical descriptions, and sense of time and place.However, the motivation is in Blurb form when I begin writing.
I believe a character's subconscious motivation (emotional wounds) falls into these categories: 
Traumatic Events. These are the ones that most readily come to mind because of their dramatic nature. 
Misplaced Trust and Betrayals.Childhood Wounds. Disillusionment.Injustice and Hardship. Isolation.
Crime and Victimization. Disabilities and Disfigurements. Failures and Mistakes.
My stories feature the first section on choices in romance novels. Crime and Victimization in romantic suspense/mysteries. While Failures and Mistakes are universal issues and would color everyone's reality.
How do my characters cope?
Of course, they struggle with this subconscious issue (as do we all). My characters must work through the emotional wound(s) before I type THE END.
This process is often painful for my characters, as well as myself. 

The blurb must give the reader a hint at the motivation and hint at the emotional wounds without 'telling all.'
With a dangerous reputation for taking chances and tempting fate, rugged cowboy Lynx Maddox had one goal in life--to win the coveted Silver Buckle rodeo championship. but when he sets eyes on lovely Rachel Scott, he becomes determined to capture her as well.
Rachel traveled the circuit with her famous rodeo rider dad until his fatal accident in the arena. Now, she wants nothing to do with that world--or the men who risk their lives for one brief moment of glory. But her attraction to Lynx becomes too powerful to deny...and his unexpected gentleness is too seductive to resist...
The blurb doesn't tell the reader the emotional wounds the characters are still working through.  
Research is the key. Even if you have personal experience, your experience is colored through your reality, not your character's.
Lynx has dealt with the recent death of his brother. Lynx is now the eldest son and is coming to terms with the new reality. 
Rachel's father was an alcoholic; her mother was emotionally distant. Her grandmother was the only stabilizing factor in her life.
The backstory is backstory. I do not paint the character's past with a heavy brush.I simply drop in information during a conversation and internal thoughts. Just enough information to let the reader know there's more to be uncovered. And the reader expects to feel the emotions. After all, that is what romance is all about.
Interested in reading more of my blurbs? Or, perhaps, reading the story...click on the provided links:
 APPLE BOOKS / Ebooks

BooksWeLovePublishing

AMAZON

Barnes and Noble

Or any of your favorite online vendors :-)

Thank you for your visit. 
Please follow the links to the wonderful authors participating in this month's round Robin Blog Hop!

Connie


Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2W9
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

Breathing Life into Your Characters By Connie Vines #Round Robin, #Writing Tips,

 Today's blog topic: Breathing Life into Your Characters.

Thank you, Skye, for this month's topic.

When I am nudged into a new writing project, I've heard snippets of dialogue in my head. Which is followed by a sense of place and time. 

Some writers see their stories unfold in a movie format. 

Other writers say their 'characters' guide them.

I say, "That must be wonderful' for you.

My characters could be more helpful. 🤣

My life is chaotic. Therefore, it's no surprise my writing process follows suit.

I do have glimmers of sensory details as I write. Not a visual movie, but I'll catch the scent of bales of hay, hear the creak of a leather saddle or feel a horse's breath against my cheek. All of these trigger an emotional response that breathes life into one of my story's characters.  

From days past, Tulsa and Midnight

As the story progresses, the scenes I've written often replay in my dreams--with a theme song. This drowns out any dialogue which may have been spoken. Oh, yes, a thunderous theme song--which plays (in a loop) all night long. And I woke up with a pounding headache the following day. 

Of course, bits of my personality does come through in each story. My life experiences color the story on some level., too.

🚢Because I suffer from seasickness (I had to lie on a bench during our trip on a Mississippi River paddle boat), my characters won't be vacationing onboard a ship.

But my characters will be drinking coffee...lots of delicious coffee.  

Visit this month's participating bloggers; they have great stories to share. 😊😊

Connie

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/

Diane Bator https://dbator.blogspot.com/

Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2TY

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

Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/

Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com

A.J. Maguire http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/

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

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

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

How to Share a Backstory/History with Your Reader By Connie Vines #Backstory, #Round Robin, #Sharing with Readers, #Writing Tips

This month's topic:
The Importance of your character's backstory/history and how to share this with the reader without an info dump that stalls the action.
My preferred method is to utilize my blurb. 
Example: Lynx (Rodeo Romance, Book 1)
With a dangerous reputation for taking chances and tempting fate, rugged cowboy Lynx Maddox had one goal in life--to win the coveted Silver Buckle rodeo championship. But when he sets eyes on Lovely Rachel Scott, he becomes determined to capture her as well.
Rachel traveled the circuit with her famous father rodeo rider dad until his fatal accident in the arena. Now she wants nothing to do with that world--or the men who risk their lives for one brief moment of glory, But her attraction to Lynx becomes too powerful to deny..., and his unexpected gentleness is too seductive to resist.



However, this month's main topic is introducing backstory/history into the story.  
Internal dialogue is useful, but a conversation with a friend/confidant or having an event trigger a memory creates more substantial reader involvement in the scene.
Rachel stalled to no avail. Charlene planted herself on the arm of the couch, "Dan told me Lynx left for Lubbock without you. Why?"
Rachel squirmed. "I couldn't do it. Lynx kept talking about his family. He kept telling me about the ranch and planning how we'd spend our days. The more he planned, the more frightened I became. When it came to the final day, I couldn't do it, Charlene. I pulled my suitcase from the closet and remembered all the times I'd picked up and moved...I just couldn't do it again."

Example 2: Brede (Rodeo Romance, Book 2)
In this story, I utilized a prologue. I seldom implement this device (except in my historical novels); however,  because this is romantic suspense, this moves the reader into an action sequence.



Example 3: Tanayia: Whisper upon the Water (Historical)
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 remains where the sagebrush is stripped from Mother Earth by sudden storms and surface waters. Desolate. Bleak. Al and 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. We call ourselves N'dee. The People. The white man calls us Apache.


https://books2read.com/Tanayia

Everyone has great tips on sharing a character's backstory with the reader.
Please visit the participants:
Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/A.J. Maguire http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/Dr. Bob Rich https://bobrich18.wordpress.com/2023/03/18/where-to-hide-the-time-machine-backstory/Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

ConnieLink to my publisher's website:  https://www.bookswelove.com/vines-connie/
(eBook and print)
Happy Reading!  📖📚📱

How Can Contemporary Fiction Keep Up With A Changing World? #Round Robin #WriterTips

How Can Contemporary Fiction Keep Up With A Changing World?

Thank you, Dr. Bob, for this month's topic.
I write in multiple genres. For obvious reasons, history takes place in the past, and technology isn't an issue.  However, accurate historical knowledge (especially by YA) readers, perhaps should be discussed at another time.

Contemporary Stories
I find to keep up with tech, climate, and social focus (coffee pot vs coffee pods; someone should be a vegan; changes in fashion, etc.) I need to update my novels every 3 to 5 years unless I wish to market them as 'vintage'.
This isn't a real problem with my Western stories or my RomCom Paranormal stories.
My urban/big city stories often require revisions after the book is completed and ready for submission.
AI (artificial intelligence) do I need to mention its possible impact on selecting an employee for a position?
If I'm building a series, my choice will have a longer reach than if it's a stand-alone novel.
I try to avoid 'hot buttons' in contemporary novels because the focus is on "the romance', 'the humor', or 'life in a small town'.


Paranormal/ SiFi
I believe it's much easier to slide contemporary (hot-button) issues into this genre.Not as a pro/con on the part of the author; observation and possible outcome of a misstep 

.Thank you for stopping by today.  
I'm working on my laptop with limited WiFi here in SoCal.
Weather conditions in the burbs are unexpected this week:  rain, 60 - 85 mph wind gusts, hail storms, blizzard warnings in the nearby mountains/ passes, and a small tornado that ripped out a 50 ft pine tree. (all fodder for a future novel or two 😆 .)
Connie
Please visit our Round Robin blog participants: 

 Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com

Connie Vines https://mizging.blogspot.com/

Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2QS

Anne Stenhouse http://wp.me/31lsq

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

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

New Beginnings: How to Jump-Start Your Writing By Connie Vines #Round Robin Blog #Writing Tips

Round Robin Blog Fest, January 21, 2023 

While increased personal responsibilities have forced Rhobin Courtright to retire as the leader of our monthly round-robin, Skye Taylor has volunteered to oversee the Round Rhobin flock. 

This month's topic: New Beginnings - how do you motivate yourself to get back to writing when Life has interrupted your flow, and/or how do you begin a new writing challenge?

The holiday season and the winter weather prompt me to reassess my life and goals for the incoming year. 

I'm ready to start a new project upon January's arrival.

What works for me?

My local writing chapter offers monthly online workshops. I participated in several during the holidays. Penny Sansevieri taught one workshop. I also participated in a workshop led by Allie Pleuter. Both of these workshops were interactive, informative, and fun!

I read and study some of the novels I have stacked in my office. 1 non-fiction, 1 NY Times best-seller, a favorite classic, and a book my mother sent me: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (a pristine 1945 hardbound copy ) and genre fiction. 
I still keep my daily journal, but I enabled the mic feature to switch it up a bit this time. I will return to the pen-and-paper method as it feels like a diary. Speaking my thoughts verbally seems...less intimate.
I also spend time with family members (2 winter weddings, holiday celebrations, children's birthdays, etc.). Change of location, interaction, and ensuing chaos, always gives one a new idea/ slant on life.
 I also tried new recipes and ordered take-out/delivery meals with unfamiliar (to me cuisine). Why take-out? I was noting my sensory response from a character's POV. Tonight I chose from the Japanese menu: Okonomiyaki (an eggy pancake) and Shoyu (Raman Soup with veggies, protein, seaweed, bamboo shoots, and noodles). I expected the soup to taste salty, but it wasn't. The flavors were unfamiliar, and some of the textures were unexpected. 




And lastly, I varied my writing routine. I wrote 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours after dinner. I've been a night owl since birth. Therefore, this was a challenging change in my way (it required additional cups of coffee while a bit of snarkiness embedded itself into my easy-going temperament).

The other Round Robin Blog Hop members have tips and ideas to get you writing in 2023.
 
Connie

 Dr. Bob Rich             https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2OQ

Anne Graham               https://goo.gl/h4DtKv

Connie Vines              http://mizging.blogspot.com/

Diane Bator               https://dbator.blogspot.com/

A.J.  Maguire                http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/

Victoria Chatham         http://www.victoriachatham.com

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

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

Villainous Characters and Redemption. Yes or No? By Connie Vines #RoundRobin 100, #Writing Tips, #Villians, #RR100

 Have any of your villainous characters reached redemption for their actions? How would you go about it if you were going to do this?

Since I also write YA and MG stories, I try not to make any character 'purely evil' and beyond redemption.
That's not to say that there are no evil or self-serving people without a conscious residing in our world. However, such a story would be too dark and depressing for me to write.
My YA and MG novels explain how/ why this person changed over time. I do not justify evil actions/mistakes. I provide an avenue for the reader to assess and make decisions appropriate for his/her age/ability level.
Romance/Romantic Suspense/Historical Novels
I usually have a villain or two in all of my storylines.
I've yet to send any of my villains on the road to redemption. Why?
I have little sympathy for my villains.
I don't like my villains.
I don't want my villains to be happy.
I really wish for my villains to suffer.
My points of reference:
The Wizard of Oz  - the evil witch tried to kill Toto and Dorothy! 👠 (yes, I know the house killed her sister, but still..)
Dracula (Bran Stoker's classic novel). This novel is a love story. Not your typical happily ever after, but a love story never-the-less. In this case, I could provide the original man (the count) redemption; however, the evil being he became would be beyond redemption here in the earthly realm. Profound sympathy on my part, perhaps.As a reader, how do you feel about the 'bad guy' returning as a future novel hero?
Is a villain always a villain?
Or is a villain in the 'eye' of the reader?
Thank you for stopping by for our 100th Round Rhobin Blog Hop!
Please visit the talented authors of our group for their take on reforming the bad guys.

Happy ReadingConnie 
XOXO

Participating:

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

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

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

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/

A.J. Maguire http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/

Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2KA

Robin Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

** All of my novels/novellas are on sale (50% off) at the

 Smashwords site through Halloween!

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/vinesbwl

Characters, Reader's Intuition, and Deep-Dark Secrets By Connie Vines, #Round Robin99, #Writing Tips, RRBlog,

This Month's Round Robin Topic: What do you define in your writing about your  characters and what do you leave to the reader’s intuition? Is there anything you never tell about a character?

This topic will require a bit of pondering...

👦👧👪📚

 When writing YA/MG fiction,/non-fiction I define my characters, my plotting, and characters' histories and backgrounds down to a "gnat's eyelash" so to speak. In historical fiction, there are many events, though historically accurate, a young reader is not equipped to process.  I address this in the note from the author, and the Q and A at the end of the novel.

🤠👢👩💝

As for romantic fiction, I still research career backgrounds, (my setting are towns/states I'm familiar with (residing or numerous vacations in the area). In the past, I interviewed my characters and kept detailed notes about family histories, etc.  I no longer do this before writing my stories. Why because halfway through the book, my characters defined a different pathway--which led to revisions. I detest plot revisions three-quarters through a 60,000-word novel 😭.

So, now I've become what is defined as a Panster: W-plot outline, scribbled notes about my characters, a title, and away I go.

㊙🔎😮📂

Secrets and mysterious background.

Don't you love secrets/hinted-at but not revealed mysterious background? I know I do.

Everyone has a chapter in his/her life they'd like to keep hidden. Or it may be a secret that would blow the socks off a person. Double O-7's life sounds romantic and exciting until you really think about what he does for a living.

A cowboy, rancher, or banker may see run-of-the-mill-boring until you discover a past event that defined him as a man of honor and courage; or an act of sacrifice and kindness that makes you weep.

Visit my Round Robin band of authors, they have great stories to share!

Happy Reading, everyone

Connie

XOXO

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

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

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/

Dr. Bob: https://bobrich18.wordpress.com/?p=10492

A.J. Maguire http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/

Robin Courtright  https://www.rhobincourtright.com/

Connie's Tuesday Kitchen: It's Never too Early for Brownies! By Connie Vines #Brownies, Brownies for pennies, #Connie's Kitchen, #connievines-author.com, #BWL Publishing Inc, #BWLAutorInstider Blog

We are all budget conscious right now. With a box of brownie mix upwards of $4.00, it makes "cents" to keep a Ziploc storage bag containing your "homemade" dry mix in the pantry.

Dry ingredients::

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup flour

1/3 cup cocoa

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Spoon into a large Ziplock bag /or other air-resistant containers

Store in your pantry until needed. 

What you will need to add to your dry mix before baking:

2 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes / 176 degrees Celsius

The temperature may vary depending on the type of pan (nonstick/glass/aluminum)

I always have a few candies/ marshmallows/ broken cookies/ or other items (like pretzels that can be broken into small pieces) and added to a dessert to provide a crust/crunch/or a decorative topping 😍
Often asked questions:How do you make brownies chewier?Substituting melted unsalted butter for the oil recipe will make for a richer and chewier brownie as well. Just melt the butter and use it instead of the oil to get a rich and chewy brownie.
What happens when you add marshmallows to brownie batter?The brownies are fudgy, and the marshmallows are gooey, and even more indulgent. If you like brownies and marshmallows, you'll be making this dessert every time you want something sweet. 
How do you make brownies better?Use milk instead of water. Milk contains more fat and flavor than water so the brownies are even more moist, gooey, and delicious.
Can I add chocolate chips to my brownie batter?Definitely! Add 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of add-ins. Such as chopped nuts, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, mint pieces, caramel bits, Reese's pieces, Toffee pieces, flaked coconut, etc.
Or Swirl in Some Good Stuff to make your brownies stand outA dollop of cream cheese, fruit jam, pumpkin🎃 puree, peanut butter, or caramel over brownie batter. Spoon it into the pan, then cut through the batter to create this wow-worthy effect. Your dessert will be prettier and tastier for your effort.😋

Let your imagination guide you.  Pinching pennies doesn't mean you can't make a healthy meal or a delicious dessert.


May your kitchen be filled with Gingerbread Hugs and Peppermint Kisses,

ConnieXOXO

How Do You Create Characters? Are you an Instinctive Writer or Not? By Connie Vines #RR, #Round Robin, #Creating Characters?

 

 

Round Robin August topic:   

How do you create your characters--their quirks, habits, values, and what part they will play in the story, etc.? Do you have a process, or do they come to you instinctively?

 Thank you, Rhobin, for this month's topic 📓💭👩

Over time, my writing process has evolved. When I first began writing, I published magazine articles, educational materials, and nonfiction. All relied heavily on research, hands-on, and often extensive on-site impressions (visiting a Reservation, historical archive, or site, speaking with those who lived the life, so to speak). This resulted in 3 - 5 years of research for my YA/MG novels.

I had also published in romantic fiction during this time. My first contemporary romance was published by Kensington/Zebra (under a pseudonym) 💎 Precious Gems imprint.

When I accepted a part-time position as an acquisitions editor 👩for an e-book publisher (during the infancy of this market) and a part-time job in public education 👦👧🏫🚌 I realized my writing had become instinctive. I no longer interviewed my characters. I simply knew them and heard snippets of dialogue in my head. Of course, plot/pacing/goals/conflict were left-brain skills and can never be ignored :-)

Quirks! I adore character quirks.

Now habits are often defined by the position held in life, the physical environment in which one is raised, and personal likes/dislikes. 

A rodeo bull rider's habits 🐴🐮 will differ significantly from a corporate executive's 🗽✈. Of course, there may be someone who grew up on a spread in Montana who had a burning desire to work on Wall Street...but what are the odds? 

But quirks are so much fun to discover. So unexpected.

💭Do these quirks come from the writer? Or the character of the story?

Likes and dislikes, I believe, come subconsciously from the author.

Do I have research to substantiate this assumption? No.

I do not like mint ice cream. To me, it tastes like toothpaste 😬 . However, when I was expecting my first child, I ate mint ice cream daily as part of my lunch. 🍨🍦 So, if my heroine was expecting, she might eat mint ice cream. 

I love coffee; my characters seem to love coffee ☕ and animals, too.  

Personality Quirks

high levels of enthusiasm

likes to be the center of attention

makes assumptions about others’ motives

tendency to react emotionally

tendency to respond objectively

tendency to take things personally

tenderhearted nature

tends to be argumentative just for the sake of arguing

Behavioral Quirksalways wants to sit facing the door
bites lip when thinking or trying to remember something
uses air quotes when talking
very distinctive laugh noises
whistles the tune to songs
Quirks Related to Eating and Drinking
always orders the same food in a restaurant
brings snacks everywhere
counts the number of chews before swallowing
drinks coffee or tea very frequently
eats while driving the car
Well, you get the picture.
My (Daily) fan club members:

I'm a night owl forcing myself to crawl out of bed at sunrise:

I erased the typo!
🎃🐓🌞⌚

Click on my book covers to make a purchase or on my website link to learn more about my novels!

Please visit these fabulous authors' websites. I'm confident they have delightful stories to share!     

 

Happy Reading,

  Connie

XOXO

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

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/

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

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Dr. Bob Rich https://bobrich18.wordpress.com/2022/08/hatching-people/

Rhobin Courtright https://www.rhobincourtright.com/