C. Margery Kempe's Blog: Lady Smut, page 188

A Real Character

Have you ever wondered why you like someone immensely when you've hardly seen or spoken to them? Or even the complete opposite. Maybe you just detest them but you can't really figure out why since you barely know them? We have a tendency to do this all the time in life, reading books and watching movies. I like to call these characters "real characters" because they truly elicit a feeling (negative or positive) from us.

Think of a movie or book whose character really stood out to you. Part of that could be just great acting and another part could be great writing. I easily remember Joker from Batman, especially played by Jack Nicholson or Heath Ledger. Great acting aside, Joker is just a character to remember. I'm not fond of him because he is a villain but I can't help but admire how he stands out.

Another character I'm quite fond of is Elizabeth Bennett from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.  The fact that she and Mr. Darcy start off at odds is no surprise in the world of romance but her "renegade-like" ways and the fact that she would rather have ended up an old spinster than settle for Mr. Collins only made her all the more real to us readers.

Another recent character who holds a lot of appeal is Katniss Everdeen from Suzanne Collin's Hunger Games trilogy. From the get go, Katniss is a rebel concerned with the primary survival of her family, consisting of her little sister and her mother. Katniss even goes so far as to volunteer in her sister's place for the Hunger Games—a games to the death involving children from various regions of their country Panem.

So what makes these last couple female characters so real? Well, quite frankly they are faulty. Some may say they are admirable because they fight for something worth fighting for but the truth is that in their world or the world created by their authors, they are imperfections—something that makes them very real and very relatable.

Now what about you all? What makes your characters in your writing real? If you have trouble in this area, there are a lot of books and resources out there to help in the building of your characters. The other key is to really be able to step back and take a good evaluation of your character—are they someone you like? Do they seem 2-dimensional or do their personalities really stand out on paper (not only in your mind)? I know, doing this evaluation is easier said than done (sometimes beta readers can help) but the end product will be that much better for your readers.

Filed under: Characters, Toni Kelly

It's Snowing!

It's the first snowfall of the year 2012.  Sometimes the silence is enough.   This photo is taken from my front door.  This second one is a candid shot of the face of the storm.

Enjoy the splendid of every mimute of life.  I say this  because as I stare up and marvel at the snow, a friend of mine is dying.

Into the face of the storm

He rode his gray winged stead

The fury had burnth black her changeless spirit

But he remained free.

Join the dance of the dark storm

And sing the first words of the year with abandon.

"I am free."

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

 

Filed under: romance, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Writer's Life

Weekly Paranormal-Scope

While I'm not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked with the paranormal in the world.   In many way, so are you.

The week ahead for:

Aries

Werewolves have invited you to join their pack. Time to howl.

Taurus

A house gnome suggests you start spring cleaning early.  Do it. You won't be disappointed.

Gemini

The wind is shifting.  Ride the currents with the eagles and find new opportunities.

Cancer

Okay, so a hobbit is short, but he is also a loyal friend that cooks.  Invite this friend over.

Leo

A griffon can be a great friend and help you achieve new heights.

Virgo

Listen to the wind.  Mermaid are singing your praises.  This is your week to shine.

Libra

Shapeshifters know that to avert unpleasantness, change things around to your advantage.  Smile.

Scorpio

A pegasus offers you a ride.  This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Take it.

Sagittarius

A pixie will provide a fun surprise.  Don't dismiss anything small.

Capricorn

A unicorn likes you.  While they can be notorious liars, they are also rather entertaining.

Aquarius

A vampire crosses your path.  He could be friend or foe.  Trend lightly.

Pieces

Fairies delight in you and bring you good luck this week.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

 

Filed under: Susan Hanniford Crowley, Weekly Paranormal-Scope

Interview with Katrina Parker Williams

by C. Margery Kempe

Welcome Katrina Parker Williams to Nights of Passion! You can find Katrina on Facebook and Twitter, too. Katrina's got a new book out that sounds like great fun!

What inspired Trouble Down South and Other Stories? 

My short story collection Trouble Down South and Other Stories was inspired by my own personal experiences as well as my mother's recollections of her past.  The stories in the collection reflect our southern heritage and address issues that affect African-Americans.  This collection is very personal to me because so much of myself is contained in some of the stories.

What started you writing romance? 

"Miss Carmelia Faye Lafayette" is a romantic short story taken from the novel Bootlegger Haze that will be coming out soon from Trestle Press.  I wrote this romantic story because I wanted to explore the relationship of Miss Carmelia and her male suitor, Buford Tee.  They have an unconventional relationship for the time period in which the story is set (early 1900′s).  She loves Buford Tee, but because of an abusive marriage to her previous husband, she has vowed never to marry again.  She believes a piece of paper gives a man too much authority over her life.  Very forward thinking for that period in time.

That's for sure! She sounds like an extraordinary character. How did you develop your craft? 

I have been writing short stories and novels for over 15 years.  I love to focus on interesting, quirky characters that don't necessarily follow the beaten path.  I think they make for more exciting stories.  

Do you ever incorporate real people/events into your stories? 

Many of the characters that are portrayed in my short stories and novels are drawn from people I know.  I choose characteristics that I find interesting in people and create a new character centered around those particular characteristics.  I think this technique helps to make a more believable character in my stories.

How do you balance writing with the rest of your life? 

That can be tough at times, trying to fit writing in around a hectic teaching schedule.  I write at nights and weekends when I can find the time.  When an idea hits me, I try to devote every free moment I can find to drafting the story before the inspiration leaves me.  

What ambitions do you have ahead of you? 

I am currently working on a novel about Native Americans and slavery.  It is  a work in progress, but I'm hoping to have it completed by the end of the year.

What's the best advice you ever received? 

Write what you enjoy.  The stories that are close to your heart tend to be the ones that ring most true.  

If money were no object, what would be your ideal vacation? 

I'd love to visit Dubai.  I think that is just a fascinating place.  I'd love to expore every inch of the place.  

What's next for you? 

Trestle Press will be releasing my latest novel Bootlegger Haze.  I am looking forward to a great working relationship with this publisher.

Here's an excerpt from  Grandpa's Courtship (A Short Story):

Later that afternoon, a few hours before the church picnic was to take place, Horace hurried to get dressed in his best Sunday clothes, a dark gray suit, a round hat, and black shoes. He walked down the stairs and stopped in front of the mirror to inspect himself. He felt reasonably comfortable with how he looked although he hated wearing suits. But for this occasion, he felt he needed a little extra ammunition to combat his angry adversary, Miss Margaret.

He got into his horse-drawn wagon and headed to Miss Margaret's home. When he arrived, he paused, sitting on the wagon, trying to muster up the courage to face her. Then

he got down and walked to her front door. Knocking firmly, he stepped back and adjusted his collar, preparing for another barrage of verbal attacks. Miss Margaret came to the front door and stood with her arms crossed, in irritation.

"Miss…Miss Margaret?" Horace stammered, taking off his hat and holding it nervously in his hands.

"Yes, Mr. Johnson," she replied tersely.

"Uh…I…Uh," Horace stuttered.

"What do you want, Mr. Johnson?" Miss Margaret snapped. "I ain't got all day."

Before Horace could stop himself, he let out how he truly felt in one breath, stating emphatically, "Well, if you'd shut your mouth for a dang minute, woman, you'd know I was here to apologize for not asking you to the church picnic and to say how beautiful you look right now and how beautiful I think you always look and how wonderful you can sing and how you drive me nuts with your crazy, foolish, feisty, moody, hollering ways!"

Miss Margaret was stunned at the revelation she had been praying for, for many months.

"Thank you, Lord," she whispered under her breath.

"What you say, woman?" Horace asked irritably, thinking she had again bad-mouthed him. "I just spilled my guts to you, and this is how you–."

"Oh, shut up, you ole fool, and come on inside," Miss Margaret said, tearing up and pushing open the screened door.

Taken aback, Horace stepped inside and was greeted with a soft peck on the cheek.

"What's that for?" Horace asked.

"For you being you," Miss Margaret said sweetly and escorted him to the parlor.

* * * 

Filed under: Author Interviews, C. Margery Kempe, Characters, erotic romance, historical romance, inspiration, Interview, Kit Marlowe, romance, romance novels, Romantic Places, What inspires you?, Writing Topics

Historical Romance, Fact or Fiction by Gerri Brousseau

When you write historical fiction, how accurate do you have to be?  I'm watching Young Guns, which is a movie about the early life of Billy the Kid.  What is interesting about this movie is AMC has Story Notes throughout the movie.  Every once in a while thorughout the movie, facts about the script, actors, history and the movie appear.  At one point in the movie, the "bad guy" (Murphy, played by Jack Pallance) is at a bar and they are singing "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" which the story notes tell was not composed until 30 years after Billy the Kid.  At another scene it is New Year's Day, yet the notes tell us the event actually happened February 19th.  Throughout the movie, there were at least three or four other such tidbits of information.  It got me thinking about how accurate your facts should be when you are writing a historical novel.  How far does poetic license go?  I write historical romance and spend a lot of time researching my "worlds" when I'm writing.  I strive to give my readers the correct information of the time, have my characters dressed appropriately, speaking appropriately and not doing anything that wouldn't be appropriate in the time I am writing about.  Yet, after seeing this movie and the little "story notes" I can't help but wonder if I'm spinning my wheels in trying to make my novel as accurate as possible.  Does it really matter to the average reader?  I recently read an interview with Stephenie Meyer in which she was asked how much research she did on vampires prior to writing Twilight.  Her answer was, none.  She said the only bit of research she did was what we saw Bella do on her laptop in the first movie/book.  She created her own characters, and their world in her mind.

My question then for those who write historical romance, and those who read it, how important is it to get the facts exactly right?  Readers, how important are accurate facts as you are reading?

Filed under: romance

Beating Writer's Block to A Pulp!

A lot of things can cause writer's block.  Sometimes life just throws so many curve balls at us that we're running here and there trying to help family, going from crisis to crisis, working a day job, keeping all our commitments, that when we finally sit down at the keyboard so exhausted, that nothing comes out.  We feel sad and hopeless and begin to believe that everything we've written is behind us.  This is the hardest part.

You have to believe, and you have surrender.  What did I do?  I kept trying to write.  I have several partial projects now.  I am a person who writes books and publishes, so I know I can finish a project.  But when flow stopped I turned to other things.  Exhaustion and not having a vacation in a long time made me rethink my options.  I still tried to write and squeeze out a paragraph or two maybe a page.  Then nothing for days.  So I joined a computer game.  I did beadwork.  I make flower barettes.  I researched subjects that has always interested me.  I looked around in the family tree and even came up with a Scottish castle.   I had even visited it years ago but didn't know then I  was family.  lol

A friend had once suggested a setting.  I didn't see a story there so I tucked that setting away.  A daughter suggested a type of book, which I didn't think I would ever write.   Then it rained.  Really rained and stormed and howled through the night.  I began to write like a flood unleashed the book I would never write.  The story poured over me and still is pouring over me.

So to beat writer's block, you have to believe.  You have to surender.  You have to know that even not writing will bring you back to writing if that's where you are meant to be.  Sometimes we need to recharge our batteries.  Be inspired.  Find that muse and dance.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

 

Filed under: A Writing Sirloin Tip, Helping Other Writers, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

Be a Fan or Give it the Can? by Gerri Brousseau

Hello readers and Happy New Year.  Hope you all enjoyed the holidays.  I really did, but two days after Christmas, I came down with the flu and was sick for two weeks.  Since I was sick, I spent a lot of time resting and reading.  First of all, in the telling of this tale I must say I think I'm just about the only person I know who does not own an e-reader, so all the books I read are actual printed books.  While I was overcoming the flu, I had the opportunity to read several books, and, I have to say, there was one in particular that made me really wonder how on earth it came to be published.  (As a side note, it was not written by anyone I know)

From the beginning, this story kept jumping around from character to character, from present to past and back to present, and was so confusing I actually found myself looking back to see which character I was actually reading about.  My frustration mounted and I asked myself, is it my fevered brain? No, it was not.  I looked to see who the publisher was, and found it was one I had had dealings with in the past.  One who gave the impression they were extremely picky and quite strict about the quality of writing they published.  I wondered how this publisher had come to print something that had the reader so confused and distanced from the story.  Did I finish the book?  Yes.  I had made an investment, and wanted to give the writer the benefit of the doubt, so, I forged on.

As I pressed on, the book got better.  By the time I was a little more than half way through, the book started to get good.  Hmm … a glimmer of hope rose in me that I had made the right decision in sticking with it.  I finally finished the book.  Was it great? No. Would I run out and recommend it to all my friends?  No.  But, was it good? Yes.  It turned out to be a good book, despite the horrible first half.  But, two thoughts came to me.  Where were the editors and why hadn't they helping this author?  And, with a publisher who gives the impression they are so persnickety about the work they print, how did this book make it into my hand?  I know a lot of readers who would never suffer through a rough beginning and would merely toss the book aside, never to be picked up again.

Are you the type of reader who would forge through in hopes of finding some redeeming quality in the book, or are you the type of reader who would cast the book aside, never to be picked up again?  Would you give the book the old deep six?  Do you feel you have a vested interest in a book?  Do you feel you owe it to the characters to find out what happened?  Or, do you wonder what the heck the publisher was thinking?

Filed under: romance

Just a Taste

I'm a foodie. In fact, I'm willing to bet that the majority of us out there are foodies in some way or the other. And the truth is that while I've been pregnant, I've really taken the opportunity to enjoy whatever I want (in moderation of course and assuming it doesn't harm the baby) and it had me thinking about why I'd never dared to enjoy food so much before.

Some food—really good food—is like poetry. Sounds silly but have you ever read or watched Like Water for Chocolate, or Eat, Pray, Love or Chocolat? For the actual storylines, I have to say the books are better just due to the detail an author can add and quite frankly it also depends a bit on the readers' imaginations. But if you haven't had the time to read the books, there are several scenes in these movies that will have you drooling all over yourself.

If you're not into movies then there are tons of interesting shows as well. I happen to really love Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations on the travel channel (he has a newer layover show as well). You can't beat a no nonsense chef who makes honest comments and travels the world tasting a plethora of foods.

So why all the hoo-ha about food? Well, we started a new year and I'm kind of tired of the New Year's resolution to lose weight (not to mention I can't exactly diet now). I'm not advocating any kind of unhealthy eating and I completely agree that exercise is a necessity for many if not all of us, but really food is something to nourish and inspire us. It obviously inspired the authors of the books mentioned above.

So my challenge to you over the next few weeks, months or longer is to enjoy food and take care of your mind, body and spirit. You don't need to overeat but let food inspire you and don't stress over the thought of being or feeling overweight. You might find doing this works better than any spur of the moment New Year's resolution. Good luck and happy writing!

Filed under: Toni Kelly, What inspires you?, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

Why Do You Write? By Susan Hanniford Crowley

If you're a writer, this is probably the most asked question.  For people who express themselves in other ways, it's not always easy to understand a writer.  In the garden of life, we're the wild rose.  We climbed over the stone wall into the cultivated garden and no one is sure how we got there.   After they get used to us, we become part of their world. The answer to the question is however rather personal and different for every writer.  Or not.   I write because I breathe.  If I stopped writing, I would feel the effects on my health.  It isn't pleasant.  I also become less interested in the world at-large.  I become sad, as if something is missing and I just can't find it.

My normal nature is to rush toward life.  My mind analyzes and expands on everything I see, hear, touch, smell, and feel.  Then I write in my dreams and explore.  Often I am only a scribe as I watch a story unfold in a dream.   I dream most of my work.  Occasionally I'll dream with eyes wide open though.  Anything at all could suddenly burst into a full-fledged story for me.   Writing encompasses very part of me.  My close friends have learned to watch my eyes.   They know when I've switched into writing mode.  When something in life has just awakened it's parallel story in another dimension so to speak, I write.  I write because I must.  What movie is it where the character says, "Come with me, if you want to live?"

I think you get it now.  Why do you write?  Or paint?  Or build?  Or cultivate?  Or create?  Or plan? Or inform?  Or teach?  I'd love to know.   

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: A Writing Sirloin Tip, Helping Other Writers, romance, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

Weekly Paranormal-Scope

While I'm not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planet, I am intimately linked with the paranormal in the world.  This week we are between New Year's celebrations.  The Japanese New Year's was Jan. 1 -3, while the Chinese New Year is on Jan. 23, 2012.

The week ahead for:

Aries

Elves are everywhere.  You can't escape their frivolity.  Join them.  It's time to celebrate the good things coming your way.

Taurus

An Ent is a steadying force in a garden.  Enjoy nature this week.

Gemini

Dragons may roar, but as a friend who won't find anyone more loyal.  Okay, so they are a bit clumsy in the kitchen.

Cancer

Some vampires are not tall, dark and handsome.  Past the latest glum example by.

Leo

Aslan brings life back to Narnia.  It's time to harness that power within.

Virgo

A little pixie dust can go a long way.  Don't over indulge.

Libra

Mermaid are hungry and they think we taste like chicken.  Avoid swimming this week.

Scorpio

Hybrid sharks with laser beams on their heads are looking for you.  Lie low.

Sagittarius

Soaring above the clouds fits you well.  On dragon's wings, you'll become used to a new altitude.

Capricorn

An Orc is a terrible thing to waste.  They are loud.  Take them to a sporting event, where they can yell to their heart's content.

Aquarius

All trolls aren't under bridges.  Be kind to everyone to ease their pain.

Pieces

Werewolves think you're cuddly.  Enjoy the attention.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

Filed under: Susan Hanniford Crowley, Weekly Paranormal-Scope