Serena Akeroyd's Blog: All Things Serena! , page 315

IT'S ALIVE!

Hi Everyone

As you know, and shame on me -I'll slap my hand later- I've let this blog gather dust!
Well, no more! 
Bear with me, I hope to bring Guest Blogs and Interviews to you again. 
As well as information about my upcoming series #NaughtyNookie and the first part of the series #FallIntoLove

Speak soon!

Serena x

Sinister Spying

Hi Everyone

We have a sinister start to the week in the form of today’s song of the day. You might not know this song, or you very may well love it! It’s an early Coldplay tune! And I think it rocks.

Coldplay - Spies

Actually, it inspired me to write today’s post. About the mystery genre, an area of literary genius that I’ve just started to explore myself. As you already know I’m putting Breaking Aurora on the backburner and am going to start work on a WIP that has been a WIP for the last 12 months! This one is a paranormal mystery-cum-erotic exploration!

If I’m honest, I’ve never really enjoyed erotic / romantic mystery. There is always something supremely corny about it. And I always find the whodunit is pathetically easy to know, because in most romance novels there are very few characters. I’m not sure why that is. I know Mills & Boon say their stories have to be character-driven, which fair do’s is important. But at the same time, I always find it a bit lacking, when you have the choice of maybe four people outside of the protagonists who could be the villain of the piece.

The problem is most people actually misunderstand the genre, mixing it up with suspense. Mystery is where you start the story with a crime occurring and the rest of the book consists of working out whodunit. Suspense is when a crime is on the brink of occurring, but for whatever reason is intercepted. Let’s say the crime is an attempted murder. The story then unfolds around this failed attempt with the climax dealing with the criminal trying once again to murder the protagonist.

So, that being said, I’d reckon for me, tip one is: Have several characters to liven things up a bit. They don’t have to be highly characterized. Simply names on a page. For example:

The door blasted open, thanks to her heavy push and the gust of wind that entered alongside her. Luisa shivered in her thick woolen coat, but let the heat of the overcrowded bar warm her as she wandered through the tables to the one the staff at Connalt Furnishing’s always seemed to take.

A group of sixteen sat there, drinking beer and spirits, each allowing the realization the weekend was about to start to sink into them. The nearer she moved, the more the sensation pervaded her own soul until she too felt relief at the prospect of a lie-in in the morning.

That sense of relief, however, teetered slightly at the realization of whom she’d have to sit next to, when she finally made it to the table. Natalie.

Grimacing at the thought of sitting next to someone who hated her was not her idea of a relaxing end to the working week. Their antipathy for one another was renowned at Connalt’s and Luisa felt like kissing Mark’s feet as he caught her eye, stood and wandered over to the seat beside Natalie, leaving his free for her to take.

Okay, now, I’ve only mentioned two people there. But, if I was writing this properly, I’d have Mark as the villain and Natalie as the suspect to shake things up. OR, I’d have neither as the suspect and one of the faceless other fourteen members of the group as the ‘baddy’. OR, I´d start Luisa chatting to the person next to her, then have someone order a drink from the bar for her. This could cause one of the group to become jealous and when Luisa accepts it, then wanders over to the bar to thank the man, it's the instigating factor in transmuting unrequited love into an unrealistic, possessive rage... 

It's only an example, but it's a good plot device as you can introduce a crowd easily. Yes, it is simplified, but you understand where I’m coming from, don’t you? 

I’m talking about this today, because of my recent foray into the genre. My tips aren’t concrete. You have to follow your own style, but sometimes, I write these tips as a reader. I hate facile plots!

Love

Serena

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Sneaky Suspense - Sinners & Saints

Hi Everyone,

As promised, here is part two of the 'writing suspense thang'. :D Does that give you a good precis of what today´s blog is about? Lol.

Before I go into any detail, here´s today´s song of the day! Enjoy!

Ida Marie – Oh My God

Right, Suspense. Now, I´ve already divulged the current WIP´s new name-- Queen of The Jungle. Doesn´t sound like a suspense-filled novel, does it? But, it is. And the more I write, the more it´s coming out of the wood work. As great as this is, it´s going to be a nightmare during the editing process! But hey, c'est la vie, non? ;)

But, to prevent this from happening with your own WIP, here are some things I wished I´d realized earlier!

1. Misdirect and downright LIE to your readers!

2. Apply the internal pressure by adding time constraints, stressful situations and dilemmas!

3. Craft a strong but human hero. Craft an evil villain, but don´t forget to show both viewpoints.

So, these are the three points that I wished I´d realized before I´d written my suspense novel! Now, I´m sure there are many more, but from my experience, -which is ever growing!- these are the most important! Why? Let me explain! Over the next few weeks I´ll tackle each of the points.

Firstly, misdirection and lies.

This is pretty obvious- it keeps your readers guessing. By manipulating your reader´s reality, they will find it difficult to guess how the hero saves the day at the very end of your book. Now, when I say lie to your readers, I mean alter what the reader knows. You can´t fully lie, because that´s cheating. I didn´t say cheat your reader, did I? :D You have to insert snippets that make the reader think one thing, when you´re actually talking about something different entirely! Confused?
Don´t be! :D

Think of it this way... it´s really simple.

You have a character, let´s call ´it´ Ziggy, running all the way through your story. The reader knows Ziggy. Thinks they´re a friend of the protagonist, who we´ll call Angel. There are multiple examples of their friendship. When something happens to Angel, Ziggy is there. Waiting in the wings to support Angel. Then, bang, at the end, the friend turns out to be Angel´s enemy!

Or... How about this?

Angel distrusts Ziggy, again, examples of why and how. This gives the dislike a believable foundation. Perhaps, Angel believes Ziggy is the actual purveyor of all his woes. Then, Ziggy does something to completely change Angel´s perception of him. This can go two ways. Firstly, Ziggy could continue to be a ´baddy´ or he could turn out to be a ´goody´. Your choice. Either way, you can shock the reader, who believe it or not, wants to be shocked! :D

Examples of misdirection in the flesh?

Mission Impossible. Jon Voight´s character, supposedly Tom Cruise´s friend and mentor, turns out to be the antagonist, who all along has plotted Tom´s character´s downfall! (That was a mouthful! :D) Misdirection - we believe him to die, yet he´s alive all the time!  

See where I´m going?

Anyhoo, hope my ramblings have clarified the first point! :D Or maybe they only make sense to me! :D Next week, I´ll cover point 2 with my own wacky ways of explaining plot devices! *snorts*

Have a great day and if you´re writing suspense, hope you´re motivated to be devious! :D

Love

Serena

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Guest Interview with Monica La Porta! On The Priest!

Hi All,

There´s something in my neat little soul, which positively adores that the last day of September is a Sunday. Now, I know that sounds crazy, but we all have our quirks, don´t we? :D I think it makes the calendar look a lot tidier! And to round off the neatest month of the year, I have a guest interview with one smart lady, who
writes in English even though her mother tongue is Italian! The language of love! Or should that be charm? ;) Monica La Porta is here with me today and before we get started, here´s today´s Song Of The Day!A sultry number to match my sassy guest! :D

Craig Armstrong – Let´s Go Out Tonight

Hey Monica! Welcome to my blog and I hope you don´t mind me calling you sassy! :D

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Hi, Serena, thanks for having me here. And as long as it´s a compliment, I don´t mind at all! ;)

As I stated in my intro, Monica, I´m filled with praise at the mere idea of what you´ve been through to become a writer. Your history is incredible! It´s hard enough writing in your own language, never mind the one of your newly adopted home! What actually gave you the writing bug?

As you know, Serena, I’m an Italian who at the tender age of thirty-one moved to the States. My whole life isn’t defined by that decision, but I can´t deny I’ve matured and become who I wanted to be thanks to having tested my limits by leaving my country of birth. I had to learn English and adapt to a different lifestyle. There’s nothing more gratifying than conquering your fears one small step at a time. I realized I was capable of doing things I had never thought possible before. At the same time, I was reminded life is too short to live day by day and not doing what makes you happy. Almost four years ago, I started writing and I haven’t stopped.

What a great answer! Happiness! You do it for the love of writing. I have to agree with you there. Someone asked me what my writing dream was only yesterday and I told them, but I forgot to mention that. How supremely happy it makes me to write love stories...Why does it make you happy though, Monica? 

It makes me happy because I love being able to create whole universes. I love the freedom to work whenever I want, which is always. I love the idea that other people might care for my characters. I just love writing.

Your very first book, Monica, is The Priest, no? Does it include a particularly favorite scene of yours? And if so, why?

 

It does indeed! My favorite scene in The Priest—a dystopian story set on Ginecea, an alternate Earth where women rule over men and heterosexual love is forbidden—is when Mauricio, a slave who knows his death is near, commits one final act of defiance against the women who keep him under chains. With only minutes left to live, he decides to make them count by refusing to obey his guards. Before fainting, Mauricio writes the word ‘no’ arranging cups on a tray and faces the cameras to smile in triumph. It was an emotional scene to write.

Wow, it certainly sounds very emotional! And powerful! Amazing, isn´t it? How certain scenes really stick with us. I won´t deny there have been times, where I´ve been so angry with something that´s occurring within a scene of my own, that I´ve cried! How silly is that? But that´s how much it means to us, isn´t it, Monica? Would you say sticking to a writing routine blocks the creativity? Or do you prefer to keep things scheduled?

I must write every day and I do try to reach my quota of words for the day, but other than that I vary the way I write on regular basis. Sometimes, I spend hours on my couch.  Others, I sit at the kitchen table. I normally have a playlist going and I change the songs depending on my mood.

I must say, you sound very disciplined! Re. listening to music, sometimes I can and sometimes I can´t! If I´m listening to something it can really break my concentration and it just infuriates me! Wish I could! Oh well! :D Monica, would you happen to have any writing hints or tips for us fledgling writers?

Write, write, write. Don’t get discouraged if at first your story doesn’t flow the way it played in your mind. It takes time to master the craft and practice makes everything better. When you’re done with the story, let it rest for a while. Then read it from beginning to end as if you didn’t write it. Rewrite some or all of it if you need to and ask people to read it. Finally, if you can, hire a professional editor and a proofreader. If you can’t, join critique circles, writers groups, etc. Don’t publish anything you aren’t sure it’s the best possible work you have written.

I truly agree with you there, Monica. While an editor is great and so is a critique partner, time and distance from a novel really is vital, because if the story doesn´t please you when you read it back, then why should it please an editor? Would you say you´re heading for the top, Monica? And don´t worry, we won´t think you´re big-headed if you say yes! :D

I strongly believe everybody is special; I’m just different I guess. My stories don’t follow one specific genre and that is always a challenge when I have to choose between categories when I hit the publishing button. I only write stories I’d like to read, which it means that I follow my heart to the very end in every book I have written.  I’m grateful for the opportunity I have been given to publish without having to pass through the censorship of a publishing house. My stories are oftentimes a glimpse into our society and reality isn’t always pretty. I like what-if scenarios where an aspect of our reality is seen through a mirror glass. Everything is the same, everything is different.  In my Ginecean series, I analyze what would happen in a matriarchal society where love between men and women is considered the ultimate perversion.  I touch several topics that are still taboo, even in 2012. Hopefully, after reading my stories, people will think about the fact that everything is relative. And sometimes it’s a good thing.

Thank you for joining me today, Monica. I truly appreciate your answers and I can´t deny, you´ve made me feel better about my decision to not push ahead with Breaking Aurora, my WIP. You´re so right- it is important to only publish what you feel is your very best work- so thanks for that!

I hope other people have learnt something from Monica and if you´re interested in reading more about Ginacea and the intriguing-sounding 'taboo' subjects, then here are the links! For Monica´s blog, click here! Follow her on twitter! Add her on Facebook, find her on Amazon and Goodreads.

Now, for her books! :) The Priest! And her latest work, Pax in the Land Of Women!

Have a great day everyone and I hope you´ve been inspired! I certainly have! Breaking Aurora is in the distance, it just isn´t as near as I´d like it to be! You´ll all be the first to know, when it eventually is! :)

Love

Serena

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Guest Blog: Rosemary Wilson on One Single Rose...

So, the bad news is, it´s Tuesday. Yeah, yeah, I know, at least it isn´t a Monday! But Tuesday still falls pretty low on my worst day list! I do, however, have something to perk you all right up! An author interview. Or, in this instance, an interview with an internationally renowned poet! Yes, you read that right! See, I bring a varied mix to this blog, don´t I? And all for you! :D

Rosemarie Wilson, or One Single Rose, is an award winning poet as well as a writer. For the last two and a half years, ever since her first self-published collection of poetry, One Single Rose…Poetry Blossomed from a Rose Core, she has been dubbed an inspirational poet. With countless awards to her name and a SAFE Ambassador Award to boot, I´m more than pleased to bring her to the fledgling house!

But before I start the interview, let me give you today´s song of the day, and as corny as it might be, I couldn´t resist! Regardless of the coincidence, it´s a fab song...

Seal – A Kiss From A Rose :D

Forgive my corniness, Rosemarie. :D I couldn´t help myself! One Single Rose with A Kiss from a Rose as well- heck, we´ll have a bunch soon! :P So, my much lauded guest, welcome to my little fledging nest! I hope it isn´t too small for you! :D Why are you here today, Rosemarie? What instigating factor turned you into a writer?

Life, love and laughter fuel my poetic energy.  I’m not a biological parent, but I’ve birthed poems since the second grade when I won my very first poetry contest.  My official poetic journey began about seven years ago as a woman scorned as a result of being let down by an ex as well as others in my life.  I was able to escape the madness by writing poems about my experiences with heartache.  After penning a few “I hate you poems,” I began to motivate myself past the pain with inspirational pieces.  Before I knew it, I had enough poems to fill my first poetry collection “One Single Rose . . . Poetry Blossomed from a Rose Core” which focused on motivation, kissing a few frogs before meeting your prince or princess and the joys and pains of living life.  Since that time, I have been dubbed an inspirational poet.

Wow! What a great way to exorcise the past and pain! I must admit I dabbled a tad, during an angst ridden phase during adolescence. They weren´t too bad, enough to get me an A* grade in my English Lit class. :D So, I can´t complain! Aside from the intensity of emotion you experience when creating your work - and that emotion is really easy to feel-  why do you love what you do?

I love to write because it allows me to poetically share pieces of me with the world.  When I embraced my love for poetry, my goal was to touch at least one person which happened before my first collection was released.  I authored a MySpace blog in response to a troubled teenager who had been sexually abused.  Somehow a teen from Montana who had contemplated suicide read the blog and informed me that I’d helped her make it through a tough time.  If One Single Rose touched no one when it was released almost a year later, my goal had already been fulfilled! 

Oh my goodness, what an achievement to have made. Aside from all your awards that must feel absolutely fantastic to have touched someone´s life so powerfully, so intrinsically. Wow! So, now, I´m intrigued and can´t wait to read one of your poems! No pressure here! :D From One Single Rose Out of Darkness and into Light, which is your favorite poem and why?

Hmm…that’s a tough question, Serena! Shame on you! :) I have a special love for every one of my babies!  I would have to say my favorite poem is a haiku entitled “Priceless.” 

“I am not for men

who do not treasure my worth.

My gems are PRICELESS.”

The heartache I spoke of previously wasn’t always someone else’s fault.  I have to take the blame for enabling my mates to a certain degree.  We all have choices and should make wise decisions when it comes to matters of the heart.  Men know the buzz words to get attention from women.  Yes, ladies we are beautiful, but not every handsome man with deep pockets who utters the words “I love you” is actually in love.  We have to take our time to weed dandelions from the grass, and once they’re gone, fertilize and cultivate the lawn for greener pastures and healthy relationships.  I tell myself every day that I’m priceless so that I won’t fall prey to slick talkers who don’t have my best interest.  Also, “Priceless” t-shirts are available in your size. 

That´s fabulous! Firstly, before I make another comment, I had to wiki haiku! Lol. To my equally ignorant readers, a haiku is an “ epigrammatic   Japanese   verse   form  in   17   syllables”. Before I even read the part at the bottom, I immediately thought that makes a FABULOUS slogan! :D And I also love the way you discuss a woman´s love life. Great imagery there! Dandelions! Hehe, that´s the nicest rephrasing of the term jerk I´ve ever heard! Lol. So, Rosemary, to craft your fabulous work, do you have a writing routine? Or do you just allow the muse to take you as and when it wants?

Definitely the latter, Serena. I write when I’m inspired.  I don’t have a certain routine that I follow, but quite a few of my poems have been born as I slept--I awake to give birth by way of the computer keyboard.  There have been times when I’ve wanted to write about a certain issue but the words weren’t revealed right away.  I had to wait until I received them to pen the piece.  I watch the news a lot and write about social issues that wear heavily on my soul.  I find solace writing by the river or in silence in the comforts of home.

I know you´re going to be performing in Belgium soon, are you brimming with excitement about this? Silly question maybe, but hey, I´m nosy! :D

OMG, YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I have been excited about Detroit Dealers since I was selected for the tour with Wunderbaum (www.wunderbaum.nl) this past December.  Wunderbaum is a collective of five theater makers from The Netherlands who have been acting together for the past ten years.  Every year Wunderbaum produces different performances and this years’ production focused on a love affair surrounding the auto industry (www.wunderbaul.nl/detroitdealers1.html).  We premiered inPittsburgh,PA in February and our second performance at the Holland Festival in June was met with standing O’s at seven sold out shows.  I’m totally stoked about the fall/winter schedule in Rotterdam (September 22-25),Utrecht (October 5-7), Antwerpen (November 21-23), andGent (December 12-15).  There will be a few surprise events during the Antwerpen performances and I hope these dates sell out as well.  It was such a blessing to have met such a talented and down to earth group of actors in my first international performance.

That sounds absolutely fantastic, Rosemarie. Well done! Your hard work is paying off and on that note, do you have any wise words to pass on to the fledglings who read my blog?

Can’t = won’t.  If you tell yourself you can’t do something, you most definitely won’t.  The word can’t limits abilities and you CAN do whatever you set your mind upon.  It’s also important to keep a pen and paper, laptop, smart phone, iPad, some sort of writing utensil handy at all times because inspiration can hit at the most inopportune moments—be ready to answer the call—words wait for no one.  Also, I believe every writer has experienced writer’s block.  When writer’s block hits, don’t fall under the block, rise above it.  If you tell yourself you’re not writing because your thoughts are blocked, writer’s block wins.  Speak positively if or when that happens so that you don’t get stuck…positive affirmations will always fuel your little engines that CAN!

You´re so right, Rosemarie! I guess it´s the whole law of attraction thing, isn´t it? By concentrating on the blockage rather than the need to express oneself, we´re creating more trouble for ourselves! Typical! :/ So, Rosemary, one final question for you. Are you a poet who should be on everyone´s radar?

My babies speak of truth; they are autobiographies with twists of fiction, written with humility.  I don’t mind sharing pieces of me because every person on this earth has experienced at least one trying time that someone else has.  I’m not ashamed or afraid to share what I’ve personally experienced, seen or may have heard that someone else has gone through.  We all can learn from each other.  The moves I make poetically aren’t just for me…I share myself with the world because without you, there would be no me.

I’m grateful that the poetic world has embraced my work.  I look forward to living in this world for many years to come.

Thanks for taking the time to talk to me and my readers, Rosemary. I wish you all the best for the future and hope you have a lovely time in Belgium! :) 

So, everyone, if Rosemary´s haiku has intrigued you for more- I know it has me!- then, you can buy her anthology, One Single Rose...Poetry Blossomed from a Rose Core, on her website! You can also follow her career via twitter or facebook! And if you´d like to check out the aforementioned blog on Myspace, then click here! 

I hope everyone has been inspired, and ladies, I hope you´ve taken Rosemary´s words on board! I certainly have! Priceless, that´s me! :D 

Take care and have a great day!

Love

Serena 

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