Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 254

Voice by Leia Shaw

In the writing world, there are two types of voices we frequently talk about. One is the writer voice. The writer voice is the writer’s style. Slang, uniqueness, dialogue, etc. It’s difficult to explain because our writing has to change with our characters/genre/time period but there is something every author has that makes them different, that makes them who they are. You may not be able to put your finger on it, but it’s there.

Then there’s character voice. And this is one is huge for romance writers. Most romance writers narrate in at least one character’s point of view (POV), and many do two (the heroine and the hero alternating). In a plot oriented book that’s told from an omnicient POV, the book will mainly sound like the author’s voice. But with a character-driven story where the character(s) narrates the book, they better have their own “voice” too.

So what’s a character voice?

It’s the speech and thought patterns of a particular character. For example, a 16 year old teenage girl might use terms like, oh my god, shut up, and that sucks. But a 85 year old most likely wouldn’t dare. And a character who has ADHD might think in short clipped sentences and go off topic a lot, while an intellectual literary professor might use big words and make a lot of references to books. The patterns and idiosyncrasies every person (writer or not) has makes them unique, gives them character, and tells us information about them.

Both are important. One makes you, as the author, memorable. The other makes your book (or character) memorable.

Well, character voice is where I’m struggling right now. Through some divine inspiration (or maybe it was bad seafood) I decided I should write a YA that involves mental health issues. And that has led me to facepalming over and over as I stare, discouraged and confused, at the first chapter of my manuscript, wondering why the fuck I would want to write something in a 17 year old male’s point of view.

I have been many things in my 32 years. I’d list them but it would take a long time and only scare you. And I can imagine myself as a great deal of others things. But for some reason, I can not wrap my head around a 17 year old guy. So now I’m deciding whether the story needs to be told from his perspective or not. It would be easier to write it from the girl’s POV, in first person, and cut him out, but I’m not into doing things the easy way if it’s not the right way.

But if it’s the right way, then fuck yeah, I’m going for the easy way.

Anyway, I have some serious thinking to do. Probably some reading to do. And some writing then deleting then rewriting to do.

So have you ever found a “voice” that you struggled to write? Did you avoid it or learn how or what?

Filed under: romance

Weekly Paranormal-Scope

While I am not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked to the paranormal in the world in many ways. So are you.

The paranormal scope is for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to guide your life by.

The week for:

Aries:

Gnomes love gardening and often stand perfectly still so people think they are statues.  Don’t stand still in life.  Be active.  Join groups. Go out and meet people.

Taurus:

Minotaurs really know bull when they see it.  Be aware of this and evaluate everything said.

Gemini:

Dragons think you’re adorable and offer you a ride to a higher view.  Take it!

Cancer:

Vampires love to hunt–egg hunts, scavenger hunts, and now they want to hunt for gold.  You’re invited.

Leo:

Pixies are messy little things. Dust everywhere.  The home is due for a good cleaning and rearranging of furniture for a new feel to the place.

Virgo:

Zombies are misunderstood.  Ah, no.  Learn a less from your Taurus friends.

Libra:

Werewolves love to cuddle.  It’s good for the heart.  But remember they shed.  Cuddle but vacuum.

Scorpio:

Mermaids love to paint their toe nails when they are wearing their tails.  Time to indulge yourself.

Sagittarius:

Shape-shifters love yoga.  Changing shape slowly is the luxurious way to exercise.

Capricorn

An elf says, “I remember you.”  You will hear news from an old friend.

Aquarius:

Were-panthers can be shy.  Encourage a new friend.  Go and have coffee or tea.

Pieces:

Hobbits are delightful as children.  They turn everything inside out.  It’s a new viewpoint on life.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

New release: Vampire King of New York now in print at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Also in ebooks.

Filed under: romance

The Perfect Treat: Writer’s Retreat 2014

Today I am finishing up my four-day Writer’s Retreat sponsored by my local RWA chapter, Chesapeake Romance Writers.  I’ve been happily ensconced in the basement of our big retreat house at Chanco on the James since Thursday afternoon working steadily on edits for my second House of Pleasure book, Only Marriage Will Do.

It has been, as always, an awesome experience.

 

The house is set in the woods, so peaceful and quiet, but with all the amenities of home (except my family!).  We were fifteen strong this year (we’ve had as many as 22 attend), everyone working on books at all different stages. Tables are set up in the basement, but people write in their bedrooms, in the common spaces, on the porch.  Whatever space makes you most creative.

Meals are provided by the chapter.  Breakfast and dinner items are in the kitchen (plus lots of snacks).  Dinner is at 6pm each night and we all walk down to the Dining Hall for a gourmet dinner from Chanco chef, Joe Mack.  He takes care of my gluten-free needs with style.

 

Even though our focus is on writing, we do have other fun stuff as well.  This year we had an egg hunt.  One member hid 15 eggs in the house and outside and challenged us to find them.  Inside each plastic egg was a slip of paper stating what prize you had won.  I found an egg on Friday morning.  I got out the carton of eggs to make breakfast, opened it and said, “Why is this egg purple?”  Duh.  So I claimed my prize, a bath gel kit. Such a fun group we have!

 

My goal this weekend was to completely finish the edits to Marriage, but I don’t think that will happen.  However, by the time I leave this afternoon at 2pm, I will be probably close to 3/4 of the way done.  I always get so much work done at these retreats.  I could use one every month and quadruple my output.

My advice to all the writers out there is if you get the opportunity to attend a writer’s retreat, take it.  It will be the best money you spend for the greatest gift a writer can get: Time to Write!

 

Filed under: Craft, Jenna Jaxon

Meeting Charlaine Harris

At the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention, you may have heard that all my technology failed me so I don’t have a photograph of this event.  This photo is from Charlaine Harris’s page on Goodreads. Here is her website: http://charlaineharris.com/

I went to the Author Chat with Charlaine Harris and Lee Child.  He writes the Jack Reacher novels.

If you’re not familiar with Charlaine’s work, she writes the Sookie Stackhouse novels (among other series) that the HBO True Blood series

is based on.   I have read the books and also follow the HBO series.

Please, understand that the HBO series is different from the books.

The format of an Author Chat is a moderator asks questions and then opens it up to audience questions.  One question that I asked was:  When you write your novels, do you know the end?  They both said that they don’t know the end until they come to it.  YAY!  I felt totally redeemed as

a pantser.  I have now bulk erased from my hard drive all those workshop notes on plotting. They only stalled my writing as is.  If you write from

the seat of your pants, you have to trust yourself.

The topic also came up about what to do when you’re approached to make a TV series or movie from your book.   One view was that once a story leaves the author, readers interpret the story their way.  A movie or TV series director might also do the same.  What if you (the writer) were offered a lot of money but it also meant they would change the story quite a bit from your book?  Both authors brought up, that authors are people with families to take care of and bills to pay.  In addition, a TV series or a movie usually causes an increase in book sales. It seemed a very practical viewpoint to me.

One person asked how they felt about negative criticism.  The two authors discussed how negative criticism is one thing but threatening is another.  Lee Child gets email that basically calls him out to fight.  He just tells them to meet him outside at a certain place at 4 pm.  He says they don’t show up.  Charlaine had received hateful and threatening email, because people disagreed with how she ended the last book in the Sookie Stackhouse series.

I was very upset to see how she was being treated.  It’s wrong to threaten anyone for any reason.  That’s all I’m going to say on that!

Later I got the pleasure of meeting and speaking to Charlaine Harris who is a gracious and sweet lady.  It is a memory I will keep with me always.  I feel the ending book for the series was perfect.  I told her that and her smile will inspire this author for a long time.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

P.S.  I will be at Pi-Con, Holiday Inn, Enfield, CT, June 27-29, 2014.  I will have print books with me, be on several panels and also be one of the hosts for the Steampunk Tea.  Drop by and say hi.

 

 

Filed under: Business, Characters, Plot, Readers Conference, Readers Conferences, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, vampire books, vampire movies, vampire television, vampires, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

M is for Motivation

What are you reading this week? I’m reading the Queen’s Wings by Jamie Schmidt.

Memorial Day signals the most anticipated time of the year for me. Summer! I love summer, all the flowers, the smell of fresh cut grass and sunscreen, but most of all, Memorial Day is a day to thank all those soldiers and veterans for their service to our country. Thank you for protecting our freedoms.

 

As promised, this week I’m sharing tidbits from the workshop on GMC (I also brought the book by the same name GMC by Debra Dixon and it sits by my computer for a reference).

When I was a new writer and joined writing groups other writers were throwing around GMC. They constantly asked me what was my motivation. Motivation, I stared at them blankly. I wrote the scene that came to mind. One that would move my story.  Right? Well, after hearing and reading about GMC I started devouring books on the subject as well as classes and workshops. Debra Dixon summed up MOTIVATION in one word. Ding, ding, ding. Light blubs flashed. MOTIVATION is the because –your character did this because she/he…

So simple a concept–why didn’t I think about it. What made this class so interesting, Deb used GMC on several well known movies, such as The Wizard of Oz, The Fugitive and a few more. She uses the same references in her book. We all know what motivated Dorothy but did we really deep down understand her motivation. The “Because” of her actions. Dorothy’s motivation was very strong and believable (your characters motivation need to be strong and believable to). Dorothy’s “Because” we could relate to. A teenager looking for her heart’s desire. That is one powerful motivation. It also helped Dorothy grow (Deb pointed out), her motivation changed, now it wasn’t about her–she needed to get home to her sick Aunt Em and would do anything to get there.  Deb’s analysis of The Wizard of OZ digs so deep into the story, I’m sure the next time I watch it (and I watch it a lot–It’s my husband’s favorite story) I will be picking out all Deb’s points of motivation and changes.

How does this relate to us? Writing well developed characters is the key.

Deb suggested you write bios or interview your characters to get to know them before you put one word on the paper. For herself ,she interviews her characters. I use the bio method. As Deb stated, there is no wrong or right away to do this, just know your characters intimately before you start and you story will be stronger for it. And knowing up front what motivates those characters also builds a more cohesive story, one that your readers will think of  long after they’ve finished your book.

Happy writing! Enjoy your weekend.

Marian

 

 

Filed under: romance

Summer Reads by Gerri Brousseau

Here in the U.S., Memorial Day signifies the beginning of summer, and with that comes picnics, barbeques, hiking, biking, beach time, and all sorts of outdoor activities. As many of you may know, I’m not a fan of the hazy, hot, humid weather, but I do love this time of year when the sun doesn’t set until much later, the temperatures have not yet climbed into the 90’s, and the humidity is relatively low. It’s the perfect time to be lazy, to spend an afternoon lying in a hammock reading a book. It’s not called the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer for nothing. But somehow in the spring, just prior to the oppressive heat of summer that I know some of you love, I feel energized. The earth is waking up. Leaves spring forth anew, flowers blossom, and for me, fresh ideas bloom and will hopefully grow into a new novel.

I just moved into a new place, which, by the way, I love. It’s bright and airy and has a new energy that is awesome. And it’s very quite. There are woods behind me with a river running through it. There is a waterfall too, and I love sitting out on my patio listening to the rustling movement of the water. It’s so relaxing. Being near the water brings me inner peace, and although I know I have one more move left in me before the grave, I’m happy here even if only for a time.

Last weekend I unpacked some boxes and hung curtains. The task of curtain hanging had to be postponed until the vertigo eased up, which it did when I flew to New Orleans last week. Who knew that the pressure of assent would help? I was thankful. If you ever go to RT, or have been there in the past, you will know that authors give away a lot of free books. So, needless to say I have a good supply for summer reading. There’s nothing like basking in the sun, or lying in the shade, and reading a novel full of romance, mystery, or adventure.

So, as you pass the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, what will you be reading? Will it be romantic cowboys, plundering pirates, dashing dukes, or handsome detectives? What’s your favorite summer read? What is your favorite summer activity?

Filed under: romance

Cover Reveal: May I Have This Dance?

Hi All, hope you are having a wonderful week!

I’d love to share my latest novella cover with you all. It’s a bit special in that this is the first cover my husband and I have worked on together. I’ve always loved the covers publishers have provide me, but it was a lot of fun to dive into Photoshop and create a vision. Enjoy and don’t forget to check out the excerpt below!

Blurb:

Half-demon Sebastian Reyes is tired of hiding who and what he is. He’s determined to set his own path to happiness, even at the risk of disappointing his father. However, this is easier said than done when the truths he wants to reveal may very well scare away the one he loves.

For once in her life, Gemma Ashton, is aspiring for more, including her dreamy dance instructor, Sebastian Reyes. Told from a young age she was plain and plump, these terms are ingrained in her head, even if they’re no longer true. Can she rid herself of her insecurities and follow what’s in her heart?

Will Sebastian and Gemma embrace their pasts enough to pave way for a future together?

Excerpt:

“Sara, red wine has healing properties, doesn’t it?” Gemma asked into her iPhone. She swore she’d heard something good about red wine. She sipped the burgundy nectar then tried to slip on her terrycloth robe, which proved difficult while holding her phone and wineglass.

“I’m not sure,” said Sara. “Why do you ask?”

“Because I need brain healing.” She sipped again. “Mmm, good.” Three glasses of wine and she was ready to tango across her apartment’s parking lot.

“You don’t need brain healing. You need a more supportive family and more confidence in yourself.”

“Don’t forget a new crush. Preferably one who isn’t engaged or a liar. Why didn’t he tell me the truth?”

“I don’t know.” Sara paused. “Probably because he was busy arguing with his father and kissing you. Besides, I’m not sure I believe everything your stepmom said. Sebastian and I talk quite a bit. I would think he’d tell me if he were engaged. And we’ve been his students for months now. Wouldn’t we have seen a fiancée?”

“Who knows?” Paused in front of the mirror, she wiped her eyeliner-smudged eyes with the heel of her hand. “Man, I look like crap right now.” She tried to smooth down a few unruly curls then gave up.

“I’m sure you don’t.”

Chimes echoed throughout the apartment, and she jumped, spilling wine on the sleeve of her robe. Who would drop by now? “Shit. Sara, someone’s at my door.”

“Do you know who?”

“No. Hold on.” At the door, she placed her eye against the peephole. Sebastian, dressed in a gray hoodie, glanced around, flexed his jaw. “Oh, crap. It’s him. He even looks good dressed down.”

“Who?” Sara’s voice echoed with alarm.

“Who do you think? Sebastian.”

“Gemma, is everything okay?” Sebastian asked from outside her door.

“Yep.” She ran back to the mirror, spilled more wine. “Shit, he’s talking to me. What do I do?”

Sara’s laughter rang through the phone. “Boy, is he in for a surprise. Hang up the phone and answer the door, dingbat. And try not to act drunk. Call me tomorrow. I want to hear everything.”

“I will. I’ve got to go.” She ended the call, put down the nearly empty glass and grabbed a Kleenex. Where to start? She ran to the sink, wet the tissue and wiped her entire face.

“Gemma, I hear you. What’s going on?”

What the hell, here goes. She stumbled to the door and swung it wide. “Nothing.”

 

 

 

Filed under: romance, Toni Kelly, Writer's Life

Why Go to RT? by Leia Shaw

As a follow up to last week’s post about the fun of RT, I’m going to talk a little about the business side of it. Many romance authors wonder, is it worth it to go? It’s expensive. And unless it’s close to home, paying for airfare, hotel, and the admission adds up to a small fortune.

I’ve been two years in a row now and what I’ve found is there’s no burst in direct sales from having been at RT. If you buy your ticket because you’re expecting to sell a ton of books, meet people who are going to immediately buy your books, and jump up the bestseller lists all in one week, you’ll be very disappointed.

But if you’re going to meet some fans, hang out with other authors, schmooze a little, make connections, pitch to agents then you’re on the right track.

RT isn’t about selling books, it’s about selling yourself. And while a lot of it is parties, there’s also important people there. Bloggers who you want to review your books, authors you want to trade favors with, street team members who’ve been dying to meet you. Professional connections. These are the things we often underestimate, but everywhere I’ve gotten in my career has been through connections.

So while you party, sample the local flavors, and drink your weight in alcohol, you’re also doing work. No, that’s not just a line I feed my husband. It’s true. If you’re looking to go places, expand your career, and stick around long-term, then yes, I do recommend going to RT. If you want to earn back there what you spend on your ticket, well, good luck with that.

Filed under: romance

Memorial Day Weekly Paranormal-Scope

While I am not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked to the paranormal in the world in many ways. So are you.

The paranormal scope is for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to guide your life by.

The week for:

Aries:

Flowers bloom and so does a relationship long unnoticed, like the pixies beneath the buds.  Time to water the plants.

Taurus:

Memories are a foundation on which we build.  Mermaids sing of legend.  It’s your time to make legend.

Gemini:

Faeries favor you in business.  Keep your eyes open and investigate all possible investments.

Cancer:

Aslan roars for your accomplishments.  Time to roar yourself and dress to impress.

Leo:

Gnomes have been known to run amok for the weirdest reasons. Take out all your clothes and make new decisions.

Virgo:

Summer heat will sway you away from your focus.  Sweat brings out pixies.  Not a good thing. Keep cool.

Libra:

Were-tigers love your purr.  You will meet someone exciting, and learn something new from your past.

Scorpio:

Dragons roll in the waves, letting stress roll off them.  Do the same.

Sagittarius:

The zombies are back but they are easily distracted by jazz.  Get some new tunes and dance.

Capricorn:

Queen Mab favors you with unique wisdom.  Run in this new direction very fast.  It’s your road!

Aquarius:

Panther-shifters are very sexy.  Go to the beach more and enjoy the view.  You will meet an old friend.

Pieces:

Orcs are on patrol, so stay legal and have more innocent fun.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

New release: Vampire King of New York now in print at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  Also in ebooks.

 

Filed under: romance, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Weekly Paranormal-Scope

Remember on Memorial Day

Dear Friends,

In the United States of America, we remember and reflect on those brave Americans who gave their lives to give us our freedoms, their families, and those in the Armed Services protecting us and our freedoms every day.  God Bless Them and Those That Love Them!

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

P.S.  For those that love the Paranormal-Scope, it will be on this evening.  Thank you!

Filed under: Memorial Day Reflection, Susan Hanniford Crowley