Reese Ryan's Blog, page 20
June 25, 2014
Getting Down and Dirty with Your Characters via the Character Sketch
As a writer I both love and loathe the character sketch.
Creating a character sketch can be fun. The exercise nets the kind of knowledge one uncovers during happy hour with the straight-laced co-worker who has a secret life you never imagined. It allows a writer to get elbow-deep in a character’s mind and discover her motivations. A character sketch can unlock a chest of unexpected treasures which will bring the character to life and make the story more vibrant. Even when that information is n...
June 20, 2014
Complicated Characters. Challenging Relationships.
I’m fascinated by complicated characters. My favorites include Sherlock Holmes (played by Jonny Lee Miller in Elementary), Raylen Givens (Justified), Mary Shannon (In Plain Sight)and James Bond (played by Daniel Craig). They are prickly, a bit dark and extremely hard to love.
No wonder their characters rarely have serious love interests. When they do, the two seem to be a volatile mixture of chemicals ready to blow at any moment. That’s what makes writing a complicated character in a romance a...
June 12, 2014
Diverse Families and the Shades of Romance
Today theSwirl Awards hosts the 2nd Annual Loving Day Blog Hop. This online event joins various other celebrations across the United States which commemorate the U.S Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Loving v. Virginia, which struck down anti-miscegenation laws in the United States.
That landmark decision removed legal barriers that prohibited marriage between couples of different races. However, many of the societal deterrents remained firmly in place.
It is no longer uncommon to see divers...
June 11, 2014
The Shades of Romance
Click the graphic below to go to my Loving Day Blog Hop post, Diverse Families and the Shades of Romance:
Go to: http://www.reeseryan.com/diverse-fami...
The post The Shades of Romance appeared first on Reese Ryan - Novelist.
June 2, 2014
Revisiting My Writing Process
I accepted an open invitation from the lovely Carolyn Hughey to participate in a blog hop on my writing process. Yesterday kicked off JuNoWriMo and my attempt to complete two novels during the month of June. Seems like the perfect time to revisit my writing process.
To learn more about Carolyn, visit her writing process post on her blog at the link above and check out her bio below:
Carolyn Hughey/K. T. Roberts, who also writes mysteries has been a hair stylist, an executive legal secretary, a...
May 29, 2014
Recommendations needed: Romance trilogy or series featuring the same couple
I’m working on a historical romance set during the Harlem Renaissance. My original idea was to write a series featuring three different couples. To be honest, I’m still strongly inclined to follow through with that plan.
However, I’m exploring the possibility of going deeper into the story of how these two characters get together. To accomplish that, I considered revealing their love story over a series of three novellas.So, I’d like to read a few romance trilogies or series that feature a sin...
May 16, 2014
My Theme Song for 2014 and Why I Won’t Be THAT Girl Anymore
I know what you’re thinking: it’s a little late in the year to pick a theme song.
I realize that more than a third of the year is gone, but I respectfully disagree. It’s never too late. Besides, it takes time to find the perfect fit. Andy Mineo’s “You Can’t Stop Me,” a song in which the artist talks about being his own worst enemy and acknowledges his battle with self-doubt and potentially paralyzing fears, fits like a glove.
The song, and the artist, seem to get me. Better yet, the song doesn’...
May 10, 2014
Gypsy Girl Guide to the Outer Banks and Gift Card #Giveaway
It’s gotten much warmer here in North Carolina and it looks like the never-ending winter has finally come to an end. I love the mild weather in spring and watching all of the flowers bloom. Right now I smell honeysuckle every time I step outside of my door.
Most of us are beginning to focus on summer and vacations. If you’ve ever considered going to the Outer Banks, or you’ve been there before but would like to experience a different part, I’ve got just the thing for you.
My recent post over on...
April 18, 2014
Moments of nostalgia, Godzilla music players and Record Store Day
Remember record players? If not, just wait a few years and you’ll probably have the same nostalgic feelings about compact discs. 
Today, inThe View from HereI revisit nostalgic moments from my childhood and the excitement I felt when I walked the four blocks from my house to the local record store.
My love for stories in both written and musical form hasn’t diminished with time.
In some ways, both passions seem stronger.
When my husband was gifted a vintage style stereo system–a sort of Godzilla...
April 11, 2014
Deleted scene from Love Me Not, Reader Events and VIP List #Giveaway
Last week I invited you to join my VIP list (just click the pink bar on the left, or go here) because I have lots of news and goodies for readers in April and May. Here’s a little of what’s in store:
Upcoming Reader Events in Morrisville, North Carolina
April 30th:Lady Jane’s Salon RDU–Lady Jane’s Salons are fabulous events where romance authors and readers get together to celebrate the genre while also championing important causes. At each salon, three romance authors read from their work. Adm...
