J.J. Devine's Blog, page 48

Are your characters rule breakers? by Morgan Wyatt

Morgan Wyatt is one of the most inspirational authors I know. She is genuinely a remarkable woman both on the writing scene and off. I've had the honor of knowing Ms. Wyatt personally for several years and one of the things I have noticed in all these years that regardless of what is thrown at her, she just keeps her writing career moving forward. I adore her dedication and her positive attitude. So today, I'm sharing a blog she shared yesterday (I have her permission, don't worry :) )
The idea of a rule breaker titillates most people. It depends on what rules you break and the reader if it works. Murder is usually a game breaker unless it can be justified as self-defense. White collar crimes such as embezzling or identity theft are okay if the good guy does it to catch the villain or at least punish the evil doer. Then there are the unwritten rules. 
Scarlett O’Hara excelled at stomping on the social niceties that constituted Southern Society. Her actions included lying, stealing other girls’ boyfriends, cheating, and manipulating good-hearted people for her own aims. At the time, Gone with the Wind was written her primary sin was ignoring her daughter and husband to make a profit. Margaret Mitchell wrote an unhappy ending. Scarlett remains an iconic character because she did things other women didn’t dare. Her keen mind and beauty allowed her to get away with it most of the time. On the other hand, people wanted her to get her comeuppance too. Consider that Scarlett served as a stand-in for that cheerleader in high school who dated the hot guys and was homecoming queen. Years later, the wallflowers take some consolation at the reunion that the cheerleader is broke and divorced. Watch how many rules your character breaks if you want the reader to root for him or her.
The cardinal romance standard never allows your protagonist to hurt another character on purpose. There’s a difference in a secondary character being miffed because the heroine got the job than the protagonist deflating her rival’s tires so she can’t make it to the interview. There can be exceptions to this rule too. Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ book, Ain’t She Sweet, blows the never be deliberately malicious out of the water by having a local mean girl, Sugar Beth, return back to town broke and friendless. All her nastiness happened in the past and the odds are stacked against her as she tries to rebuild her life.  The readers see her retribution visited upon her as she struggles to reinvent herself in a town that doesn’t want her there. Occasionally, formerly mean characters can work if they suffer enough for the reader to feel sympathetic. Of course, it depends on the reader and how he or she connects with the character.

On an episode of the British Sitcom, Peep Show, Mark, and Dobbie are at a restaurant when Dobbie suggests dining and dashing. Dobbie thinks it would be fun. Mark resists well aware he has never done anything illegal. Dobbie is about the momentary thrill while Mark considers the ramifications. This possibility of rule breaking shows the character differences. As a former server, I was totally against the dine and dash. The waitress who makes almost nothing ends up paying for the Dashers’ meals out of what little she earns. If Mark had gone along with it to please Dobbie, then I’d probably quit watching the show. The number one reason would be it would out of line with Mark’s moral outlook.  An author shouldn’t cross lines the reader wouldn’t.
What are those lines? They are invisible, of course. One of them is never kill the dog, cat, hamster, etc. Murder is necessary, especially in mysteries just avoid the pets. Until recently violence against women, rape, mutilation were all taboo. A recent slew of books detail non-consensual bondage. Basically torture, which followed on the heels of The Fifty Shades of Grey success. This should serve as a warning shot to women. Although, it might be the time to sit back and see how it plays out. It is understandable if a villain slugs a woman or kicks the walker out from grandmother. What is harder to accept is a man who brutally rapes a woman, and then a few pages later he confesses his love for her. This isn’t a rule breaking in as much that it makes no sense. What woman would accept such behavior?
Most of us are okay with stuff we might do. An example is telling white lies to not hurt a friend’s feelings or to stay out of trouble. Driving too fast and when pulled over acting confused about the fact. Flirting to get a better deal or a bigger tip. Even little things such as slipping into empty better seats when the theater lights go down. Often these actions move the plot along. The woman who decides to grab the better seat meets the original owner who arrives late.
A character who lies will end up in an awkward situation because of a falsehood. This is especially true when people pretend to be something they aren’t.  This can be as simple as a name change to keep an obnoxious male from connecting. Lying about being able to speak or foreign language or being pilot can result in chaos, humor, and finally truth telling.


Even bad boy characters are never that bad. They may appear to rule breakers on the surface, but the author peels away the layers to get to their intrinsic motivation. In the classic book, The Outsiders, the soshs with their coordinated outfits and new cars were actually the bullies.  Pony Boy while hiding from the police rescues children from a burning church. This is also a nice twist on the rules for the author who chose not to go with stereotypes.
Rule breaking can be doing the unexpected. In The Paper Bag Princess, the Princess declares she doesn’t need to wait around for a prince and fights her own dragons. Most characters  grounded in realism will break a few rules. It’s okay for a secondary character to remain the same, but a central character must be dynamic, which involves growth, change, and the occasional broken rule.
Dystopian and sci-fi novels that often feature regimented, twisted societies must have rule breakers. What the central characters do is create a world similar to our own with their rebellious ways. A society totally different from our own could have stories populated with rule followers.
 

Romance Writers Weekly presents...

Welcome back to Romance Writers Weekly!!! This week Jo Richardson http://jrrichardsonfics.weebly.com/the-blog has given us a new challenge this week, FanFiction. FanFiction is getting a lot of attention these days. Certain books have opened up the ‘pull to publish” flood gates, as it were – whether people like it or not. She wants to know what fandom do we have a thing for? She wants a title and opening scene (short or long) that we could give a FanFiction we would want to write, if we were so inclined to, that is :)

​I’m a HUGE Beauty and the Beast fan. I love love love the idea of this story in all its forms. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the television series, Beauty and the Beast, Beastly, my list goes on and on. The book that gave birth to my desire to write romance, A Warrior’s Heart, by Margaret Moore was even a Beauty and the Beast story of sorts.
In the topic of this type of storyline, one of our flash fictions gave me the idea of a Beauty and the Beast type storyline. I cannot tell you without giving away the surprise ending on this particular story, but I will share a bit of the opening scene you will probably recognize from the very first flash fiction we did here on Romance Writers Weekly some time back.
Title: Prisoner of the Night
Opening scene:
           Damn, vampires. They had no business in the lives of witches, entering their sacred realms. Fallon flipped the sheer red scarf over the table. “I will show you. Coming into my private moments as if you have a right to be there,” she seethed, setting the candle down with a thud in the center of the table.
           Looking about the room to see what she may have forgotten her eyes rested on the half eaten piece of chocolate cake. “This vampire has me so flustered I can’t even finish my favorite dessert.” 
           She struck the match, setting fire to the candle’s wick before settling in for her meditation. If he dared to show his face tonight, he would have another thing coming. She would not fall into his arms like some wanton whore, as she had last night. No, tonight he would be in for the fight of his life.
    Fallon stared into the flames flickering against the darkness of her cabin walls. Why wasn’t anything happening? No mist. No imagery of any sort, only the same four walls of her single room cabin.
    A knock on the door pulled her attention from the flames. So this is why she couldn’t sink between the worlds, the bastard was brave enough to come to her home. Fallon jumped to her feet, grabbing her broad sword before flinging open the door, ready for attack. She’d be damned if she gave him permission to enter her physical realm.
    “What in blazes?” Tara squealed. 
    Fallon brought the broad sword to a halt the moment it reached her friend’s neck. “I thought you were someone else.” She huffed, turning on her heel restoring the sword to its rightful place by the door.
    “Obviously, who you were expecting had to be foe for you do not greet friends in such a manner.” Tara eyed Fallon as she entered the cabin and closed the door behind her.
    “I was anticipating an overconfident vampire.” Fallon blew out the candle on a grumble. 
    “He must be something to behold, this vampire of yours, for I have never seen you in such a state,” Tara exclaimed, going to the pot of coffee pouring herself a cup before curling up in one of the high backed chairs by the fireplace.
    “Something! I’ll tell you what he is he’s an arrogant, overbearing, shameful creature. Stealing into my meditation, having his way with me without a second thought to what it might mean.”
    “And what does it mean?” Tara took a slow easy sip of the steaming brew, the leisurely smile crossing her lips added to Fallon’s irritation.
    “It signifies he’s an ass, that’s what it denotes.” Fallon dropped into the chair adjacent from her friend.
    “You’ve never been one to embrace your desires, my friend. What would it hurt to accept them?”
    Horror rose up in her chest. Was Tara asking her to condone this vampire’s behavior? Was she asking her to embrace the yearnings her body cried out for, even in the absence of the irritating blood sucker? “How can you ask such a thing?”
    “Oh please, Fallon, I caught you preparing to seek him out in your meditations. I would bet it is a bit more than irritation that has you hunting down this mysterious vampire.” Tara snorted, “Don’t forget I’ve known you since we were babes.”
    “Then you know I am not one to be taken in by a man’s pretty words, much less a vampire’s seductive means,” Fallen snapped, rising to stoke the embers in the fireplace.
    Tara came to her, placing a hand to her shoulder, “Men are not the horrible creatures your mother would have you to believe they are.” Her blue eyes sparkled, “I would imagine a vampire could offer much more than a mere mortal man.”
    The heat rose up bringing warmth to Fallon’s face. If the vampire which interrupted her meditations the night before was any indication of the wiles of vampires, her friend’s words were more truthful than even Tara knew. “My mother only wishes my powers to rise to their fullest abilities.”
    “Yes, but that does not mean one cannot enjoy the merriment of the flesh with a willing man, or vampire in your case,” Tara reminded her. “So tell me, what happened? What did he look like? Don’t leave out a single detail,” she coaxed, curling back up in the chair she had been occupying moments before.
    Fallon stared into the fire, watching the flames lick the fresh wood. The intense blue rising up from the embers brought the memory of the vampire’s eyes back to her third eye. “He has the most penetrating blue eyes,” she whispered. “The kind which looks right into your soul.”
    She pulled her gaze from the fire, going to the counter, slicing a piece of cake for each of them. She handed Tara a piece then retook her seat. “He shook me to my core.”
    “Because you’ve never experienced . . .”
    Fallon held up her hand silencing her friend’s words. “I’ve had sexual relations before.”
    “But you’ve never been subjected to such where your emotions were involved.” 
    The mysterious vampire did stir her emotions there was no question about it. His touch ignited stimulation. His eyes beaconed to her soul. He inflamed both her anger and her arousal. Only a witch, as seasoned as Tara, would have recognized the signs within her. “He does rile my passions.”
    “What are you going to do about him? Do you think you’ll see him again?”
    Fallon savored a bite of chocolate cake contemplating her answer. On one hand she hoped she never set eyes on him again. She could almost envision the arrogant look in those spellbinding eyes, from his knowledge of how wanton she could be. On the other hand, every part of her being hummed with need to return to his arms, to feel his lips against her own, to give into her carnal desires.
    “I honestly don’t know. He sets my nerves on fire.”
    A slow easy smile crossed Tara’s lips. “Sounds like love to me.”
    Fallon laughed. “Love, I would hardly think after one night of giving into passion it could be titled love.”

                    ***
    Dante paced the long stone corridor. What am I doing seducing a witch? He looked about the empty passageway. “This is why, the isolation, this void that has become my life.” He slammed his fist into the stone wall, the cuts healing themselves in an instant. 
    The moment he had witnessed Fallon under the full moon a fortnight ago, there was no question a heart still beat in his chest. Her red-brown hair fell down her bare back. Flames shot heavenward from her palms, indicating the Fire Clan she belonged to. Her essence screamed out warrior, woman, and most of all passion. 
    Never in four hundred years had the glimpse of a woman stopped him in his tracks. Fallon had done more than halt him in his steps, she’d taken ahold of his black soul and the longing for a different life had sprung into existence. She occupied his every thought, his dreams, there was nowhere in his miserable way of life he could hide from the stunning witch.
    There were rumors afoot, vampires rarely fell in love, but when they did, they would move heaven and hell to hold the object of their aspiration. In the past he thought these tales to be nothing more than myth. After happening upon Fallon there were no more doubts. Was it not why he had sought her out, interrupted her meditations to sample her sweet flesh. 
    Storming through the castle gate, Dante knew what he must do. She would be his, from this night until eternity. After all, he had a lifetime to ensure her love. 
That’s it for me today, hope you enjoyed  Let’s hop on over to see what Rebekah Ganiere has in store for us…

http://rebekahganiere.com/vampwerezombie-blog/

Romance Writers Weekly presents...

Welcome back to Romance Writers Weekly!!! This week, Tessa Gray www.tessagray.com   wants us to discuss the taboos of romance novels. It is said romance novel readers love emotionally satisfying endings. Tessa has asked: Are there issues you feel are taboo in romance novels that you wish you could write about? What are they?



Romance novels have changed a great deal over the course of the last several years and I think the authors of romance are venturing out into topics and areas that once were considered taboo for a ‘formula’ style romance novel of the yesterdays.

With that said, I already write on topics some may consider taboo, racism, rape, molestation, abuse… Before you get your pants in a bind, these are not topics I write graphic detail on, I write about the victims of such acts and their rise above what has happened to them. These items are implied, led up to, or the book begins at the results of ____________.

It has taken a great deal of thinking, assessing, and decision making on my part as to where I draw the line.

In Into the Darkness, the rape scene is implied, led up to, and the aftermath is what pushes my heroine, Raven, into her full self. Even though she is a paranormal character the message I am trying to relay is clear, a woman can rise above what has happened to her to become a stronger person deep within.

In Destiny’s Price, Destiny, my heroine, must learn to overcome a harsh past. You will really get into the mind-frame of a victim in this story. Children of abusive homes have minds which are wired differently than the ‘normal’ and in our society it is easy to mistake these young people’s behaviors for promiscuous. My hopes with this novel is to enlighten those who read Destiny’s Price that these children are not hopeless and it just takes the right person to believe in them for them to reteach themselves right from wrong.






So there you have it. My take on the taboos of romance writing.  I’ve never been one to follow the rules, LOL. Let’s hop on over and see what Teresa Keefer has to say on this topic!!!


http://teresakeeferauthor.weebly.com/musings-from-the-woods

Meet the authors of Crossroads Romance Anthology!!!

Meet the talented Lisa Caviness!!! Author Bio

As a lifelong reader of an eclectic pool of books from mystery/thrillers, science fiction, contemporary romance, and the classics, I have never been without a bookmarked novel on the nightstand. Like many writers, I started crafting stories as a child. However, creativity took a back seat to the pursuit of a serious career as a nurse, pharmaceutical clinical trials manager and medical policy analyst. In 2013, I decided to pursue a lifelong goal of writing and publishing a novel. My first full-length romantic suspense novel will be published in 2016.

I am originally from Ohio but have lived in Lexington, Massachusetts and currently settled in Fishers, Indiana with my husband and three children.


Find me at:



Twitter: @LisaCaviness1



Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lisacavinessauthor



Website: http://www.lisacavinessauthor.com



Pinterest www.pinterest.com/lisacaviness1

Blurb:

Sometimes fear is all that keeps you alive.

 

Murder.

 

A senior accountant and future bride, Marissa Nash likes order, and she expects all the pieces of her life to add up. Her bottom line is skewed after she discovers her fiancé, David Seybold, has been unfaithful. Ready to break the engagement, Marissa walks in to an unexpected nightmare —David’s dead body.

 

Passion.

 

David's unenthused best man and traumatized former Army doctor, Justin Tanner, understands that a wedding means more than a toast and a kiss. His reluctance stems from feelings that run deeper than they should for the bride. So when Justin finds Marissa cradling his best friend's lifeless body, can he find a way to suppress his feelings as they uncover David’s secret world?

 

Evil.

 

David’s seemingly pointless murder launches Marissa and Justin into a wicked web of lies, delusion and danger at the hands of a powerful and psychotic foe. 

 

Murder, passion, evil—who will survive?

My short story, Pivot, will appear in the Hope Chest Anthology by Crossroads Romance Authors.






J.J. Devine: When did you first get the writing itch?

Lisa Caviness: I’ve been a writer since I was in elementary school. I enjoyed creating stories and characters and putting them in odd situations. One of my first writing projects was a young adult paranormal story set in a high school. I was also editor of my high school’s poetry magazine so writing has been a part of me since I can remember.

      J.J. Devine: What is your writing strategy? How do you go about putting your latest WIP together?

Lisa Caviness: My background is in pharmaceutical and medical policy research so I enjoy the pre-writing process. I can get lost in researching and learning about unfamiliar situations, careers, concepts and anything else I plan to use in my book. I don’t write on the fly so I develop detailed outlines and character sketches that will be tweaked and totally changed throughout the writing process. I consider writing a career that requires lifelong learning therefore I’m constantly taking classes, reading and studying various aspects of the craft.

My current work in progress, Order of Fear, developed from a nugget of an idea that expanded during Nanawriomo, National Novel’s Writer’s Month which is a quest to write 50,000 words during the month of November.

    J.J. Devine: Do you fall in love with your hero as you create his story?

Lisa Caviness: Yes! In order for me to write a hero there must be aspects of the hero that I find attractive. When I create a hero I think about the journey he will take. So far all of my heroes have issues and aspects of their lives that aren’t perfect and will never be, but I think that makes them real. I aim to take the hero on a trajectory where he emerges at the end of the story changed in some manner, not perfect, but a better person in some ways than he was.  

    J.J. Devine: Why do you write the genre you write?

Lisa Caviness: My favorite genre to read is mystery/thrillers and romantic suspense so I enjoy writing those types of stories. I love the twists and turns of an engaging, suspenseful plot and my goal is to create a story that keeps the reader on their toes. Three of my favorite authors, Brad Meltzer, Brad Thor and Sandra Brown are masters of weaving intricate stories that make left turns when the reader is expecting to turn right.

    J.J. Devine: What is your latest novel? Where can we find it?

Lisa Caviness: I’m working on a romantic suspense series. The first book in The Order Series, is Order of Fear and will be released early 2016.




Excerpt from Pivot

Molly juggled the garment bag as she tugged at the bank’s heavy door. The bank was due to close in fifteen minutes so she’d just get in under the wire. There weren’t many people inside and by the harried appearance of the two tellers, they were anxious for the day to end. She wanted to hurry home, as well, and take a bath before heading back to the gallery.

As she finished her transaction and spun away from the counter, she felt the garment bag slide out of her hand. Molly sighed.

“Let me help you,” a deep voice behind her said.

Molly turned to see a pair of sensuous brown eyes staring back at her. The eyes belonged to the gorgeous guy from the bakery!

“Oh, thanks.” She offered an awkward smile. Get it together.

As the man picked up her garment bag, he stared at her and smiled. “Didn’t I see you yesterday? In the bakery down the street?”

She nodded. “Yes, I went in because the aroma was so…”

“Intoxicating.”

“Yes!” She nodded. “Just heavenly.”

He smiled and extended his hand. “Nick Bancroft.”

Sara’s earlier question popped into her mind as she glanced at Nick’s hand. No ring, but that didn’t mean anything. She shook his hand.

“I’m Molly Sommers. It’s nice to…” Her voice trailed off as she spotted two people burst into the bank wearing king and queen of hearts facemasks.

“Everybody on the floor!” one of them yelled, waving a gun.

Molly’s heart sank. Was this bank robbery just another coincidence?

Pivot.

Dark places of the mind...

Good morning, everyone!!!

I'm not sure where this blog is headed, but with my recent mood (I'm in desperate need of my menopausal mood pills) it is hard telling where this blog will end up with all that I've had on my mind lately.

So hang onto your hats and hope for the best LOL...

As you know I've been doing a LOT of reassessing this summer. The problem with reassessing is life has it's way of 'assisting' you in solidifying these changes by throwing little obstacles in your way to ensure you react differently than you once would.

So recently, instead of reacting I've just shaken my head and then found when I'm in these dark moods, I stew on them. I guess you could say it wouldn't be so bad if it were just one or two directions of the same type of thing, but when the same scenario comes at you from all directions, with several different players it can become overwhelming to a mind that would just rather spout off a few... no a LOT of obscenities and move on.

Now mind you, I'm not alone in some of these scenarios and that is helpful to get it off your mind and out of your system, because you can vent it out in a safe place and move forward. You can also use this to your advantage when other areas of your life these insanities show up, by telling yourself, "It is happening all over not just here."

Then all of the sudden in one day it seems like whatever has gotten under you skin is raining down on you from everywhere. The same situation, a million different players, in every aspect of life. I know this is a sign (because this is part of my belief system) that there is a hard lesson to be learned. So I pay closer attention to what is happening, asking myself, "Why?"

One of the things I've changed up this summer is to watch closely in who I help. Because yes, there are people out there in this world that ask for nothing but do need the help they refuse to ask for, and this is fine to show kindness and assistance without expecting anything in return. Doing it just because and with purity of the heart.

However, there are what I refer to as 'energy vampires' out there in the world. People who would rather you do it for them than for them to try and do something for themselves. This has been the biggest pet peeve of mine for the last few months. People coming at me from all directions, no matter how many 'tools' you give them, they refuse to step up and step out into the unknown and even try for themselves. Or the other side of the coin, refuse to follow the steps provided for them, going as far as to make fun of, bitch about, or act like you are a complete idiot for even suggesting the simple solution, then screw everything up and have the nerve to expect you to fix it when they didn't respect the guidance in the first place.

I've long quit giving advice unless solicited. It's a practice I've been working hard at doing for quite awhile. Occasionally it slips out and I scold myself for it. However, recently the solicited advice is what has me on this rant.

My brain is rattled, my mood is shot (hence the need for my Estoven Mood and Memory, which I am having trouble finding in our area, so the hurry up and wait for the online order to arrive is wearing my nerves thin). The desire to throw my hands up, turn into a hermit, and just look people straight in the eye and say, "Why do ask for my advice if all you are going to do is look down your nose at me, screw things up more, and then come running to me to fix YOUR mess when it is all over?"

Yeah, the bitch in me is coming out in ways I do NOT like. I know it is getting bad when my Baby Bear is all about pulling me away from my thoughts and making me laugh and smile at his antics :) That is another good thing about having this breed of furbie, they can sense easily your emotions and do work effortlessly to change your mood around. I know it is the battle to keep a stupid smile on my face, keep my mouth shut, and move forward that has this black mood filling my head. No outlet until it is mastered has been my motto and recently I've not failed at this until this moment, BUT, man, it is hard. Refocusing the negative thought patterns and replacing them with positive patterns and working to apply them to my life especially when I get in these dark moods.

Sometimes just writing it out helps. I keep reminding myself, my pet peeves are mine and mine alone to bear. Keep your advice to yourself. Mind your own business. And most of all, shake it off.

The upside to this mood, is it is a wonderful tool to use when working with my characters in writing :)

Everybody have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!

Romance Writers Weekly presents...

Welcome back to Romance Writers Weekly!!! This week Fiona Riplee http://fionariplee.com/blog wants us to write a ‘cute meet’ as a Flash Fiction. I adore her flash fictions because number one these always remind me of how much I enjoy writing. So this Flash Fiction she wants us to have Character 1’s profession as a photographer and Character 2’s profession is an insurance agent. Did I mention Fiona is killer when making me think, LOL. So here it goes, hope you enjoy!!!



“Who in their right mind has a person come way out here in the swamp to do a photo shoot?” Gabby grumbled as she carefully sidestepped another puddle of muck. “For crying out loud, when I accepted this job I was told it was for an insurance salesman. A nice clean profession. A simple head shot, or even a desk shot. But no, here I am walking a mile through the sludge, the wilderness, and who knows what lurking just off this dirt path. And for what, so this white shirt, black tie, suit wearing nerd can make himself look… what, like some kind of sportsman? I could think of better ways… cleaner ways, he could do that. Men, they are always wanting to give the illusion of being someone their not. Who is going to believe a suit and tie kind of guy could actually be this outdoorsy?”

The crackle of a fire drew Gabby’s attention from her groaning. “Great, now what? I’m about to walk up on some backwoods hillbilly making moonshine. That’s all I need and for what, so some straight-laced insurance guy to have a couple of pictures to put on his damn flyers? Really this job should pay more.”

Cautiously she crept up on the clearing, standing as close as physically possible to a large cypress tree. It wouldn’t serve her well to be seen if it did turn out to be some fugitive running from the law. Peeking out behind the large tree she could see a man dressed in blue jeans, work boots, and gray t-shirt with the sleeves cut off.

The sun glistened off the beads of sweat on his finely chiseled muscles, causing his deep tanned skin to shimmer in the afternoon light. He went about setting up his campsite as if he had no knowledge she was there.

The rays of sunshine spilled through the trees bringing natural highlights to his golden hair. Gabby grabbed her camera, the insurance salesman would have to wait. Pictures of this rugged man would definitely get her a spot in the Outdoorsman for sure.

The sound of her camera’s click drew his attention, and just as the camera flashed one last time, deep blue eyes seemingly smiled back at her through the lens of her camera.

“You must be Gabby Anderson. I’m sorry if it was difficult to find me, but I really didn’t want the same old same old for my business pictures. I hope you don’t mind.”

“You’re Alex Trundle?”

Maybe this photo shoot wouldn’t be so bad after all…




Well that’s it for me today. Let’s hop on over to see what Leslie Hatchel has in store for us… http://lesliehachtelwriter.wordpress.com

Meet the authors of Crossroads Romance Anthology!!!

Meet the wonderful and talented LaNora Mangano...


ABOUT ME

I was born and raised on the South side of Chicago, Illinois during my early years then moved to the suburbs and lived there until I met my husband, had kids and relocated to central Indiana. 


I started reading romance novels in high school when a friend introduced me to a Harlequin book and it was so refreshing and "new" to me that I bought another one, then another one and read them every spare moment I had. This was also around the time I developed a passion to write my own stories and I’ve been writing ever since.

I wrote romantic suspense.  Most of my novels are part of a 3-6 book series.  I now write contemporaries and paranormal.

Due to wanting to create characters and build situations for them , it has led to accomplishing my true goal; Publishing. 

  
Someday, I hope to get much better at this dream of mine and be compared to some of the great romance authors of today.



Follow me at:

Website  http://jeanne1965.wix.com/finding-lanora


email -  Lanora.mangano@yahoo.com


Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/LanoraMangano.Author?fref=ts

J.J. Devine: What is your writing strategy? How do you go about putting your latest WIP together?

 

LaNora Mangano: My strategy?  First a simple story plot comes to my mind.  For example, my current WIP started with "what if" a single, professional woman saw a feed the hungry commercial on TV and fell in love with one of the orphans from a brief flash of the baby's picture.  Then she starts the ball rolling to find out everything she can about that one and only child.  From there, I mentally draw up who the hero is, how does he enter her life (also why does he enter her life) then I throw them together and create all sorts of tension and complications to work through before they finally do and have a perceived happily ever after.

 

J.J. Devine: Do you fall in love with your hero as you create his story? 

 

LaNora Mangano: Absolutely.  I fall in love with who I believe them to be and most of my heroes are tailor made to my specific liking and attraction.  I'm still learning how to get my readers to fall in love with them the way that I do.

 

J.J. Devine: You write romance, so give us the scoop, do you believe in love at first sight? What about kisses that make your heart stand still? And the real question, do you believe in soul mates? 

 

LaNora Mangano: Yes.  Yes and Yes.  I believe as a romance writer you have to believe in love at first sight and soulmates.  Simply because it's somewhat of a magical concept and we write fiction.  Our goal is to make readers believe it and so we have to believe it a little bit too.

 

J.J. Devine: What from your past plays into your writing today?

 

LaNora Mangano: I wrote an interracial romance, called Love Encounters and while I was dating my husband, (back when he was my boyfriend), I had a friend who didn't seemed very tolerant of my relationship.  I used that experience in my book.

 

J.J. Devine: In your writing do you ever cross genres? If so, what stories have you written doing so and where can we find them? 

 

LaNora Mangano: I began writing romantic suspense because I loved to read that while growing up.  Then I realized that what I am most comfortable writing is contemporary romance and that was what I was first published with, the "Emergency Calls" series.  Love Encounters is the first paranormal book I've published and I am making that a three book paranormal series.  All of my books can be found on Amazon.com.  Love Encounters will be released in trade size in February 2016.




Blurb for Time and Time Again

          Seth's moves were slow, trusting that she would keep her word. She began to follow him but with more distance than he preferred. He couldn't blame her as he was a stranger, leading her into an unknown situation. Once he reached the top landing, he pushed the apartment door open wide to allow her a clear view. He walked in further and motioned her to do the same with his hand.  As he tracked her hesitant steps, he also paid attention to how she studied the furniture and fixtures.

          "Please have a seat at the kitchen table, and I'll get you something to drink." Seth hurried to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottled water, handing it to her. She held it for a moment then shook it upside down.

          Seth took it from her hand, twisted the cap then simulated what to do next. "It's water. We drink it here."

          "I know what water is, Seth, but how do you get it so clear?"
          "It comes that way then we filter it more." He couldn't believe he was answering this question. "What color is your water?"

          "We make our water for our vegetation. We do not drink it, ever, because there isn't enough to do so. Our water is green, and it comes from our dirt, which is red."

          "Green water? Does it stain your skin when you bathe in it?
          "What is this bathe?"

          "We do it to wash our body and our hair."

          "Purifying."

          "Yes."

          "That was banned forty years ago, when water was harder to make. But to answer your question, it did not stain our skin for long."

          What in heaven was their purification process he wondered?

          "Our uniform has technology that keeps our skin...bathed. It allows radiation rays to feed through it so that we get the nutrients from the sun."

          "Uniform?"

          "Yes, it holds our communication modules on them that connects to here," Jori touched her hip then the spot behind her ear. Her motions from earlier now made sense. She had been looking to communicate with someone when he'd found her.

          "How do you do purification, Seth?"

          "I'll show you, and I bet you'll love our way much better. When I'm in a hurry, I take a shower, but when I'd like to relax, I take a long bath." Seth stood and led her to the largest bathroom. He leaned over the tub, plugged the drain and twisted the dial on the faucet so that warm water poured out. Jori startled at the sound of the rushing water.

          "It's okay. I'm filling the tub so that you can take a bath if you want to."

          "Where will I take it?"

          "You're adorable." He smiled. Once the level reached three quarters full, he tested the temperature with his hand. Jori sank to her knees and mimicked what Seth had done.

          "Oh!" Her face lit like any woman's face would have after having a warm bath drawn specifically for her. Seth watched as her perfect peach lips formed the "O" shape, and the urge to kiss them punched him in the gut.

Thoughts for Thursday... Romance Writers Weekly

Welcome back to Thoughts for Thursday brought to you by the authors of Romance Writers Weekly. This week Victoria Barbour has brought to you a very emotional and moving blog: In Case of an Emergency, Open a Book!

I encourage everyone to go over and check it out!!!

https://romancewritersweekly.wordpress.com/news/

To keep up with Victoria and her books and writing follow her at:

Website: http://victoriabarbour.com

Blog:  http://victoriabarbour.com/blog

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/victoriabarbourromance

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/vickibarbour

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7124216.Victoria_Barbour

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Victoria-Barbour/e/B00E348HF4/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Email: victoriabarbourromance@gmail.com

Romance Writers Weekly presents...

Welcome back to Romance Writers Weekly!!! This week Susan Scott Shelley http://www.susanscottshelley.com/#!her-blog/c1cod  wants to know who’s coming to dinner. She wants us to tell you who our choice of authors in the world (living or deceased) would we want to be our dinner guest.

When I told my son what this week’s topic was, he immediately knew which author I would chose, J Of course, he couldn’t tell me her name, but he did know one of the titles to one of her stories J

“I’ve not forgot, you see.”

“At least three courses”

For those Jane Austen fans out there you know exactly who I would have to dinner J

The reason I’d chose Jane Austen is because her stories captivate me. I adore her writing and the romance that revolves around her characters. I would love to spend an evening discussing writing with her.

Her writing is so different from modern day romance writing and even though I fell in love with modern day romance there is something to be said for being able to write a romance where the ‘heated’ scenes are left out and still captivate the reader and hold their attention from beginning to end. To be able to write like that to me would mean success as a romance writer. To make the reader feel each and every emotion from opening scene to closing one, takes a talent like no other. Jane Austen’s stories grab the reader, draws them in, and allows you to fall in love.

One thing I also find fascinating about her stories is when written they were modern day romance, today, they are historical J

Now as a bonus to today’s blog, if anyone can tell me what Jane Austen book/movie the line at the beginning of this blog comes from I will give you a chance to win your choice of PDF of my books, The Cheyenne Bride or Into the Darkness. Leave your email in your comment below and I will announce the winner Thursday.




Now let’s hop on over to find out who Tracey Gee would have over J http://wp.me/p5uNdS-qM

Making memories...

Good afternoon, everyone!!!

I guess the older you get the more important it feels deep within to make memories that will long surpass you. There are things you think about and now have knowledge of when you are a grandparent, like children grow up so fast and you have limited time on how long you have to make an impression on them.

It seems like yesterday all of my children were at home. But in the blink of an eye they have grown up and are now with families of their own. Then it seemed like only yesterday hubby and I entered the sacred society of grandparenthood. Reality: that was nine years ago and four and a half grandchildren later.

As I said yesterday, I've made a few changes this summer, one of these changes is to play more. Don't be afraid to swing on the swings, go down the slides, or even throw on a bathing suit and jump through the sprinklers like you did when you were a kid.

Life is full of 'must dos' but that isn't what young people in your life will remember. Or maybe they will, if that is all you do. I made a firm decision this summer that the workaholic is not how I want to be remembered. So I've made a special point to take some time and play this summer.

We had a good deal of rain early on this summer so when the granddaughters asked if they could play in the mud puddles of course this brought back fond memories of my own childhood and playing in the mud when I was a kid. Of course this grandma said yes, I'm sure much to their parents dismay.

As a grandparent you can't focus on the mess, you have to focus on the experience, the fun, the joy of childhood. Children wash and so do their clothes. The experience of letting them run wild with their imagination will live long after you do.

I have often blogged about my own memories of being with my grandparents. There was always a fine mixture of work and letting us be kids. This is what I want to leave behind to my own grandchildren. Not that grumpy old lady who worked too much. But the grandma who worked but also knew how to play :)

Children grow up and change. They only have those years when their young to give you before they begin to branch out on their own and start taking these things into their adult lives. My oldest grandchild is nine now, I figure if things go as his uncles and mother did, I only have a few more years of these special times before he will be wanting to hang with his friends more than his relatives :) Its the law of nature after all. So grab those moments while you can. Relive the things you most enjoyed out of childhood and pass them along to a future generation.

Technology has taken over a good bit of our youths lives, why make it a part of the life you share with them?

Everyone have a lovely day!!!

Blessings to all!!!