Angela Verdenius's Blog, page 16
December 2, 2014
Character Musings on Ryder & Dee
Ryder is killing me. I mean, I just want to hit him. Do I sound drastic? Possibly, but really...
Ryder was never going to be easy. Well, he's easy, we all know he's bedded a goodly number of women, but that's not quite the kind of easy I mean! I mean, he's difficult. He's a chauvinist, he's a playboy, he's funny, and he's a bit of a dick. He's smug and he can be a dummy at times when it comes to feelings and emotions. He's also hot and sexy. But face it, he's still a dick at times.
I'm just sayin'...
As for Dee, she has depths I never imagined. Not that she's a saint (Dee? A saint? Really? *guffaw*). She can be bitchy, hard, and a proverbial ball-buster, but she's got her soft side, and her reasons (for some things. Good reasons. Others are just that she's a ball buster).
It's not easy writing about two characters who are amusing as side characters, yet somehow I have to make them likeable without crushing the very things that make them so interesting. It's a fine line. I believe in making characters true to themselves, I can't just make her all sweet and him all noble, it just won't work. It never has. Characters are like people in reality, they are who they are, there're going to be things people don't like and things they do like. All I can say is that I keep writing, the story keeps unfolding, and I keep wanting to hit Ryder. (sorry, did I just say that last part out loud again?)
I have to say, I suddenly realized the other night that I was up to chapter 6 and I don't quite know how it happened. Chapter 6 already? Did a lot happen? Didn't it? Too much, too little? Do I need to delete something? ARGH!
If nothing else, it's an interesting ride!
Ryder was never going to be easy. Well, he's easy, we all know he's bedded a goodly number of women, but that's not quite the kind of easy I mean! I mean, he's difficult. He's a chauvinist, he's a playboy, he's funny, and he's a bit of a dick. He's smug and he can be a dummy at times when it comes to feelings and emotions. He's also hot and sexy. But face it, he's still a dick at times.
I'm just sayin'...
As for Dee, she has depths I never imagined. Not that she's a saint (Dee? A saint? Really? *guffaw*). She can be bitchy, hard, and a proverbial ball-buster, but she's got her soft side, and her reasons (for some things. Good reasons. Others are just that she's a ball buster).
It's not easy writing about two characters who are amusing as side characters, yet somehow I have to make them likeable without crushing the very things that make them so interesting. It's a fine line. I believe in making characters true to themselves, I can't just make her all sweet and him all noble, it just won't work. It never has. Characters are like people in reality, they are who they are, there're going to be things people don't like and things they do like. All I can say is that I keep writing, the story keeps unfolding, and I keep wanting to hit Ryder. (sorry, did I just say that last part out loud again?)
I have to say, I suddenly realized the other night that I was up to chapter 6 and I don't quite know how it happened. Chapter 6 already? Did a lot happen? Didn't it? Too much, too little? Do I need to delete something? ARGH!
If nothing else, it's an interesting ride!
November 10, 2014
Ryder and Dee - Driving Me Mad!
OMG, this couple are killing me! I kid you not!
Why? you may ask. Well, it’s pretty obvious there is history of some kind between them. It's pretty obvious dumb ar - I mean Ryder is pretty clueless. It's also pretty obvious that Dee isn't. So it should be an easy write. Right? WRONG!
This is a couple who know each other since they were both, as Dee put it, crapping their nappies and fighting in the sand box. This is no couple new to each other, where they have so much to discover about each other, new impressions, everything.
NO! NO THEY'RE NOT!
I am currently doing something like this - write three pages, delete two, write three pages, delete one, write three pages, leave teeth marks in my desk, write two pages, bang my forehead on the desk, write four pages and delete three. And swear. A lot.
OMG! How can two characters give me such a headache? Holy moley, Batman, I'm going nuts! This is it; they have officially driven me nuts! I'm halfway up the wall because of them!
Is it homicide to delete two characters completely?????
Why? you may ask. Well, it’s pretty obvious there is history of some kind between them. It's pretty obvious dumb ar - I mean Ryder is pretty clueless. It's also pretty obvious that Dee isn't. So it should be an easy write. Right? WRONG!
This is a couple who know each other since they were both, as Dee put it, crapping their nappies and fighting in the sand box. This is no couple new to each other, where they have so much to discover about each other, new impressions, everything.
NO! NO THEY'RE NOT!
I am currently doing something like this - write three pages, delete two, write three pages, delete one, write three pages, leave teeth marks in my desk, write two pages, bang my forehead on the desk, write four pages and delete three. And swear. A lot.
OMG! How can two characters give me such a headache? Holy moley, Batman, I'm going nuts! This is it; they have officially driven me nuts! I'm halfway up the wall because of them!
Is it homicide to delete two characters completely?????
November 5, 2014
The Dawson boys
Okay, I've had a few people asking about the Dawson brothers. Will they have their own story? Do I have anything up my sleeve (apart from my arm) for them?
I can tell you that I have plans for one of them. Oh yes indeedy.
What I can't say right now is whether he will have his own complete book, or have his story develop and resolve as a side character in one of the upcoming books.
He's a character I never meant to develop, but he's growing on me and kind of popping in and out showing some qualities that I certainly never meant him to show. Characters are like that, side characters even more so!
But he's definitely there! Hovering, growing, developing...
I can tell you that I have plans for one of them. Oh yes indeedy.
What I can't say right now is whether he will have his own complete book, or have his story develop and resolve as a side character in one of the upcoming books.
He's a character I never meant to develop, but he's growing on me and kind of popping in and out showing some qualities that I certainly never meant him to show. Characters are like that, side characters even more so!
But he's definitely there! Hovering, growing, developing...
October 31, 2014
Fall for You - Kirk's story is released today!
Whoo hoo! Fall for You (Kirk's story) is released today. For those who are kind enough to give ol' Kirk a go (okay, that sounds a little kinky, but you know what I mean ), I hope you enjoy his story.
Kirk gave me a few issues, as we all know (mostly because I have this habit of moaning and groaning my way through things and whining about it to everyone), but all things condsidered, I really like him. He's a good bloke. And Molly? She's a nice girl, and as for Kirk's pet, well...I hope you like Kirk's pet too! LOL
The old gang are back again, too, because what's a small town romance without good friends and old mates, right?
So enjoy, and I'm always happy to answer questions and have feedback!
Kirk gave me a few issues, as we all know (mostly because I have this habit of moaning and groaning my way through things and whining about it to everyone), but all things condsidered, I really like him. He's a good bloke. And Molly? She's a nice girl, and as for Kirk's pet, well...I hope you like Kirk's pet too! LOL
The old gang are back again, too, because what's a small town romance without good friends and old mates, right?
So enjoy, and I'm always happy to answer questions and have feedback!
October 14, 2014
Fall for You excerpt & Ryder
Hi all
Well, I finally got the Fall for You excerpt up on my website. If you fancy a peek, I hope you find it promising!
In fact, the excerpt was lucky to make the website at all. Evie, the youngest and naughtiest of our cats, has been snoozing on my desk while I work, with her furry little feet up against the computer monitor. This would be fine if it weren't for the fact that it's a touch-screen, so she does interesting things to it. For example, I've had to start this post several times because it goes haywire thanks to furry tootsies, and I find my cursor in weird places because it keeps disappearing (again courtesy of furry tootsies). And odd icons appear that I never knew existed. I'm actually re-typing this now, because Evie just hit something and wiped the original post off. Oh yeah, and the icon bar that ran along the bottom of my screen is, oddly enough, now at the top of the screen. WTHell...?
Love the furry baby, though, even though she makes me just about pull my hair out sometimes!
Okay, so I'm also starting Ryder's story today. I'm wondering how long it will take before I'm threatening to delete him. I have a strong feeling his is going to be a painful write, because he's not a man to toe the line. Cooperation? He laughs at the word.
The delete button is close to my fingers, Ryder...I'm just saying...
Well, I finally got the Fall for You excerpt up on my website. If you fancy a peek, I hope you find it promising!
In fact, the excerpt was lucky to make the website at all. Evie, the youngest and naughtiest of our cats, has been snoozing on my desk while I work, with her furry little feet up against the computer monitor. This would be fine if it weren't for the fact that it's a touch-screen, so she does interesting things to it. For example, I've had to start this post several times because it goes haywire thanks to furry tootsies, and I find my cursor in weird places because it keeps disappearing (again courtesy of furry tootsies). And odd icons appear that I never knew existed. I'm actually re-typing this now, because Evie just hit something and wiped the original post off. Oh yeah, and the icon bar that ran along the bottom of my screen is, oddly enough, now at the top of the screen. WTHell...?
Love the furry baby, though, even though she makes me just about pull my hair out sometimes!
Okay, so I'm also starting Ryder's story today. I'm wondering how long it will take before I'm threatening to delete him. I have a strong feeling his is going to be a painful write, because he's not a man to toe the line. Cooperation? He laughs at the word.
The delete button is close to my fingers, Ryder...I'm just saying...
October 7, 2014
Pre Orders Fall for You
Just an update for those who wanted to know - Fall for You is available for pre-order from:
Barnes and Noble Nook
Kobo Books
iBooks
Amazon
Meanwhile, I have watched The Walking Dead season 4 in 2 days, Rigor Mortis (a Japanese horror movie) which was rather interesting, and I'm hoping to start Supernatural season 9 today!!! Of course,I had to watch them all inbetween work days, but it's been fun.
Mind you, now Ryder is starting to poke my shoulder...I keep telling him I have one more week to catch up on movies and TV series I've missed, but he's a persistent bugger...
Barnes and Noble Nook
Kobo Books
iBooks
Amazon
Meanwhile, I have watched The Walking Dead season 4 in 2 days, Rigor Mortis (a Japanese horror movie) which was rather interesting, and I'm hoping to start Supernatural season 9 today!!! Of course,I had to watch them all inbetween work days, but it's been fun.
Mind you, now Ryder is starting to poke my shoulder...I keep telling him I have one more week to catch up on movies and TV series I've missed, but he's a persistent bugger...
October 1, 2014
Release Date & Cover!
Well, I have an official release date!
Fall for You, book 2 of the Gully's Fall series (and Kirk's story) will be released on Nov 1st 2014. Hopefully it will soon be available for pre-order as well. I'll keep you updated.
See, I'm trying to get into the technology a bit more ;-)
And for everyone who wants to see it, the cover is up on my website. Man, I want to lick - er...go and see it if you wish: http://www.angelaverdenius.com
Geez...did I say 'lick' out loud???
Anyway, suffice to say Kirk survived my many-times wrath, and as for his heroine, well, all I can say is that he deserves her! LOL
Karma's a female dog, Kirk, karma's a female dog... (I'm trying to stop swearing - can you tell?)
Fall for You, book 2 of the Gully's Fall series (and Kirk's story) will be released on Nov 1st 2014. Hopefully it will soon be available for pre-order as well. I'll keep you updated.
See, I'm trying to get into the technology a bit more ;-)
And for everyone who wants to see it, the cover is up on my website. Man, I want to lick - er...go and see it if you wish: http://www.angelaverdenius.com
Geez...did I say 'lick' out loud???
Anyway, suffice to say Kirk survived my many-times wrath, and as for his heroine, well, all I can say is that he deserves her! LOL
Karma's a female dog, Kirk, karma's a female dog... (I'm trying to stop swearing - can you tell?)
September 23, 2014
almost there!
Oh man, I am on that downward slide! You know the one - where the story is coming together, you're on the last quarter of the book, and you just KNOW if you had a week straight off work to write, you could nail this book and have it done and dusted!!!!
Unfortunately, I also have to work for a living, so the week off isn't going to happen and it isn't going to be done and dusted as fast as it could be, but Kirk's story is coming along nicely!
The heroine kind of surprised me the other day.... (Really? Now SHE starts?) She's turned into a character that wasn't quite how I intended her to be, so taking this writing ride with her has been interesting.
But anyway, I am three quarters of the way through the book. I think... maybe... another couple of weeks... but no promises. Mostly because even if I finish it in the next couple of weeks, I still have to read through it for gaping plot holes or inconsistencies and other stuff that just spoils it for everyone, so... But I'm getting there!
Shannon asked about the cover...it's yummy, can I just say? Will I post it soon? Hmmmm...No promises, but MAYBE when I get near the end of the book, I may do so on my website. Unless I get forgetful as usual and go hammer and tongs at the story and totally forget to post the cover early. 'Cause that can always happen.
People sometimes ask me 'remember when such and such' and 'a couple of weeks ago such and such happened and so and so said this, remember?' and I'm like 'What? When? Who?' Because, basically, I'm lucky to remember what I did the day before, never mind a few weeks ago. Seriously, I've had my Mum sitting at the table right in front of my face telling me this whole big thing, and my mind has wandered to a story I'm writing and when I finally realise she's stopped talking to see her looking at me, and I go 'Sorry? What was that?' Wow, you should hear her sigh.... Not that I'm proud of it, I'm just saying I can be a little absentminded.
Not something, as a nurse, that I ever want my patients to know...just saying that, too...though I do tend to keep my mind on the job while I'm there (lucky for my patients!). It's just at home, with books around me, cats with me, Diet Coke close by and my computer around the corner, I zone out. No excuses...just saying!
Unfortunately, I also have to work for a living, so the week off isn't going to happen and it isn't going to be done and dusted as fast as it could be, but Kirk's story is coming along nicely!
The heroine kind of surprised me the other day.... (Really? Now SHE starts?) She's turned into a character that wasn't quite how I intended her to be, so taking this writing ride with her has been interesting.
But anyway, I am three quarters of the way through the book. I think... maybe... another couple of weeks... but no promises. Mostly because even if I finish it in the next couple of weeks, I still have to read through it for gaping plot holes or inconsistencies and other stuff that just spoils it for everyone, so... But I'm getting there!
Shannon asked about the cover...it's yummy, can I just say? Will I post it soon? Hmmmm...No promises, but MAYBE when I get near the end of the book, I may do so on my website. Unless I get forgetful as usual and go hammer and tongs at the story and totally forget to post the cover early. 'Cause that can always happen.
People sometimes ask me 'remember when such and such' and 'a couple of weeks ago such and such happened and so and so said this, remember?' and I'm like 'What? When? Who?' Because, basically, I'm lucky to remember what I did the day before, never mind a few weeks ago. Seriously, I've had my Mum sitting at the table right in front of my face telling me this whole big thing, and my mind has wandered to a story I'm writing and when I finally realise she's stopped talking to see her looking at me, and I go 'Sorry? What was that?' Wow, you should hear her sigh.... Not that I'm proud of it, I'm just saying I can be a little absentminded.
Not something, as a nurse, that I ever want my patients to know...just saying that, too...though I do tend to keep my mind on the job while I'm there (lucky for my patients!). It's just at home, with books around me, cats with me, Diet Coke close by and my computer around the corner, I zone out. No excuses...just saying!
September 4, 2014
so my latest hero and I are arguing...
Honest to goodness, I just don't get it. I really don’t. I put pen to paper (okay, fingers to keyboard), breath life into my latest hero - the yummy, quiet Kirk from Gully’s Fall, that golden-haired cop, that hunky man who slings a leg over a black and chrome motorbike - and what do I get in return?
Does he do as he’s told?
Does he act as he’s supposed to?
Does he say what I expect?
How about a big, fat ‘no’ to all of these?
Okay, yes, he does some of it, but he should be doing ALL of it. Does he? Let me just repeat - NO!
He said something that rocked me.
Did something that shocked me.
Bemused me. Made me mad. Made me want to smack him.
I mean, really, is it so hard for this man to mould nicely to how I want him? Is it? IS IT?
In my mind I’m arguing with him “Really, Kirk, should you have said that?”
He just blinked at me, all quiet like.
“You shouldn’t have said that. Why did you say that?”
There’s his easy smile, just a little one, just a faint curl at the corner of his mouth.
“For the love of Mike or anyone else listening, what you just did - that’s not who you are. Do you understand?”
There’s that quiet gaze.
“DO YOU UNDERSTAND?”
So calm, just looks me up and down, smiles quietly, looks away, turns back and regards me steadily.
“I have a delete key and I’m not afraid to use it.”
He winked.
See? See what I mean? HE WINKED!
This is the kind of internal battle I have with my characters. When they’re doing what they’re supposed to and then decide that they’ll throw something unexpected in.
I have four days off work. I can see an epic fight looming on the horizon with Kirk. His heroine has already had enough of him. I think you get the picture…
Does he do as he’s told?
Does he act as he’s supposed to?
Does he say what I expect?
How about a big, fat ‘no’ to all of these?
Okay, yes, he does some of it, but he should be doing ALL of it. Does he? Let me just repeat - NO!
He said something that rocked me.
Did something that shocked me.
Bemused me. Made me mad. Made me want to smack him.
I mean, really, is it so hard for this man to mould nicely to how I want him? Is it? IS IT?
In my mind I’m arguing with him “Really, Kirk, should you have said that?”
He just blinked at me, all quiet like.
“You shouldn’t have said that. Why did you say that?”
There’s his easy smile, just a little one, just a faint curl at the corner of his mouth.
“For the love of Mike or anyone else listening, what you just did - that’s not who you are. Do you understand?”
There’s that quiet gaze.
“DO YOU UNDERSTAND?”
So calm, just looks me up and down, smiles quietly, looks away, turns back and regards me steadily.
“I have a delete key and I’m not afraid to use it.”
He winked.
See? See what I mean? HE WINKED!
This is the kind of internal battle I have with my characters. When they’re doing what they’re supposed to and then decide that they’ll throw something unexpected in.
I have four days off work. I can see an epic fight looming on the horizon with Kirk. His heroine has already had enough of him. I think you get the picture…
August 1, 2014
Starting the New Book
So, inbetween working and having to study for a new competency for work, I have started book 2 in the Gully's Fall series.
I know a lot of people were hoping for Ryder and Dee's story next, but I decided to leave Ryder stewing and digging his hole deeper for awhile, because it'll make his downfall that much sweeter. (Did I say that out loud?!)
But, to clue everyone in, I'm working on Kirk. Wait, that sounds kinky. I mean, I"m working on Kirk's STORY. (Good grief, some of you have potty thoughts! Wait... maybe that's just me...)
Kirk is a nice bloke - I thought. I threatened to delete him when he wouldn't do as I asked - pleaded - begged - yelled! - but one look out of those calm eyes and I crumpled. I am such a sucker for calmness in a hot bloke. SUCH a sucker. Add to that a man in uniform and... *sliding dreamily off my chair* I think you get the picture.
But will Kirk remain calm for long when it comes to his heroine? Oh yeah, she came into town...they meet in quite an unsual way...
I know a lot of people were hoping for Ryder and Dee's story next, but I decided to leave Ryder stewing and digging his hole deeper for awhile, because it'll make his downfall that much sweeter. (Did I say that out loud?!)
But, to clue everyone in, I'm working on Kirk. Wait, that sounds kinky. I mean, I"m working on Kirk's STORY. (Good grief, some of you have potty thoughts! Wait... maybe that's just me...)
Kirk is a nice bloke - I thought. I threatened to delete him when he wouldn't do as I asked - pleaded - begged - yelled! - but one look out of those calm eyes and I crumpled. I am such a sucker for calmness in a hot bloke. SUCH a sucker. Add to that a man in uniform and... *sliding dreamily off my chair* I think you get the picture.
But will Kirk remain calm for long when it comes to his heroine? Oh yeah, she came into town...they meet in quite an unsual way...
