Rae Rivers's Blog, page 10

Maybe Baby … or Not?

I love reading books that contain children and love the way they add a different dimension to the characters, the story, and the relationships within the book. There’s nothing sexier than a handsome hero with a soft spot for a baby, right?

But for some reason, I struggle to write about children. Really, really struggle.

Odd, considering that I love children and have two beautiful, busy children who are my life and soul.

I’ve just completed a book that ended with the heroine falling pregnant. Well, that was the initial plan and part of the initial synopsis I sketched out. As the book is the first book in a series of three books, I had the idea that the child would be a link throughout all the books for something great. A bigger purpose. As I neared the end of the first book in the series, before I knew it, I’d deleted the idea of a baby ever coming into the series. It clashed with another idea I had for book two, and a baby in the series felt … wrong. A close friend of mine, who is often my sounding board for ideas with this particular series, laughed at me and said: “Shame, you just killed off a baby.” True, I killed off the idea of a baby. When asked why I didn’t want a baby in the series, I couldn’t answer, but the question added some fuel for thought.

About a year ago, I wrote a romantic suspense novel. The idea popped into my mind and I began writing non-stop. The novel flowed at an excellent pace, the dialogue sparked between the characters, and the words simply came out of nowhere. Throughout the book, it was suspected that the heroine might be pregnant with the hero’s baby (long story but that’s the gist of it). I reached almost 50 000 words (with ease) when it was finally confirmed that she was pregnant. And guess what? My entire story crashed and burned from there. Hm.

Stumped, I put the book aside until recently hauling it out for another look. I read the book again, intrigued by the storyline and the characters. Just as I began to wonder why I’d abandoned the book, I got to the part where her pregnancy was confirmed. And yes, you guessed it … the book crashed and burned. Again.

So, my question is … what is it about a baby that makes my story crash and burn? I’m a mother with years of experience to my name. I should be able to pull this off with ease … or not.

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I just haven’t found the right story yet. Maybe a baby hasn’t fit in with the characters I’ve created so far. Maybe I’m simply not comfortable with the time, space, mess, dialogue, and cuteness a child would require in my books. Up to now, cuteness hasn’t factored in with the personalities of my heroes and heroines. As I enjoy making life hard for them by constantly throwing them into hot water, a baby would cramp my (and their) style.

Or maybe, just maybe, it could have something to do with the fact that I have two small children (and often many of their friends and cousins) constantly around me at home, and the reason I can’t incorporate children into my fantasy world is that I simply have my fill of them at home?

Having said that, I’m off to give my kids a hug!

Write with joy,

Rae Rivers

The Next Best Thing

Talented author of historical romances, Romy Sommer, invited me to take part in a blog hop event called The Next Best Thing – a series of questions and answers that focuses on my latest writing adventure.

What is the title of your book?

Cat Got Your Tongue? It will be released in 2013.

How did you come by the idea?

The world of art, cat burglars, museums, and art heists has always fascinated me, even more so when I discovered just how real a problem this is across the globe. My idea started with a billionaire art collector with a few security issues. I added a sexy, feisty bodyguard with a vast knowledge of the dodgy dealings of the art underworld thanks to her cat burglar mother. I threw in a couple of heists and everything simply snowballed from there.

What genre does your book fall under?

Romantic Suspense

Which actors would you choose to play your characters if it were a movie?

For my heroine, definitely Ashley Judd. Love her! I wrote her with her role from the movie, Double Jeopardy, in mind. Feisty, petite, gutsy, and sexy. As for my hero, that one’s a little more tricky. Maybe George Clooney?

What is a brief synopsis of your book?

When a billionaire art collector is targeted for his priceless paintings, he employs a bodyguard to upgrade his security. Imagine his amusement when the bodyguard turns out to be a woman! She’s sexy, feisty and with a cat burglar for a mother, she knows the shady workings of the art underworld. With thieves hot on their trail, they must work together to protect his art collection – and their lives.

Will your book be self-published or traditional?

The book will be traditionally published by The Wild Rose Press.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

I saw the movie Entrapment which appealed to my fascination with museums, art heists, cat burglars, priceless paintings etc. Deciding I could have some fun with this story line, I started mulling over a few ideas.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

A few weeks. Once I knew the type of story I wanted to write, Cole and Alex popped into my head and insisted I write their story. So I did. Once I started, I couldn’t stop and had the most fun ever in telling their delightful journey. The polishing of the manuscript thereafter took much longer.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I haven’t read anything similar.

What about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Between the suspense and action, there’s a lot of playful banter and witty dialogue between the hero and heroine that adds a touch of humor to the book. Add an art heist, a murder, and a few dodgy characters from the art underworld, an explosive attraction between the hero and heroine, and several rollercoaster events that unfold in their quest to solve the mystery around them and readers will have a fun, flirty romantic suspense.

For the next author in the chain, check out lovely Charlotte Phillips to find out what’s The Next Best Thing in her life!

A Champagne Moment!

After all the writing, editing and waiting, my flirty and fun romantic suspense novel, "Cat Got Your Tongue?" has finally found a home!

The idea that I will finally have a book published is a dream come true and to say that I'm excited is an understatement. 

I had so much fun writing this book and I'm so excited to be able to share the story of my feisty heroine and my sexy hero with the world.  Their story was an easy one to tell as they basically popped into my head one day and wouldn't back off until I started typing.  Once I started, I couldn't stop as their story (and endless witty chatter!) flowed from the moment they jumped onto the page until the moment I typed 'The End'.  What a delightful way to write a book.

And then the editing started ...

Thanks to so many bloggers, authors, and publishers who have left a fabulous trail of writing tips online, I learnt all the technical aspects of writing.  That, combined with some helpful advice from a wonderful and patient editor, I did a thorough overhaul of my book.

And I'm thrilled to announce that The Wild Rose Press has offered me a publishing contract! 

There's lots more to tell but for now, I'm going to grab my husband and pop the champagne!

Thanks for sharing my joy.

Rae

Gossip Girl News

As I wave good bye to the hospital shenanigans and hot doctors of Saving Hope, I say hello to a little juicy gossip, odd frienships, and the mischievious movements of the Manhattan Elite.  Sadly, it's the final season for Gossip Girl but until the finale, I look forward to seeing more of the entagled webs they weave.

So amongst my other writing, I'll be covering a portion of the show for an online TV site, TV After Dark.

Gossip Girl: Episode Review 6.1 “Gone Maby Gone”


“Welcome back Upper East Siders. Call me superstitious but I’ve got a feeling this fall could be my last season. Let’s face it; I’ve been at this a long time but age breeds wisdom. And this I know … the best is yet to come.” ~ Gossip Girl

A summer of mishaps, devious planning, new beginnings, and bedroom shenanigans. Nate’s on a mission to take down Gossip Girl and boost the Spectator, Sarena’s left town and after drowning her sorrows in drugs and alcohol, she overdoses on a train, Dan and Georgina flit off to Italy to write a tell-all book on Manhattan’s elite … i.e. their friends … and Chuck and Blaire share a hot and steamy romance ...

To delve into the latest adventures of Gossip Girl, read my review below:

http://tvafterdarkonline.com/2012/10/break-up-make-up-gossip-girl-episode-6-01-gone-maybe-gone-review/