The Writing Process and Keeping it Fresh

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I came up with an idea for a story I want to write. My area of interest seems to be dangerous/bad boy type heroes.

I want to write a story about a criminal turned good guy but I don't want it to be like my last story, so I am turning it around in my head, playing with ideas. I'm getting kind of excited trying to see how this man goes from where his loyalties used to lie and does something that is a huge betrayal of that but makes him ultimately true to himself.

Have the writers on the board found it hard to keep things fresh, when you clearly have subjects you just love to write on?

[CaliGirlRae, Mod Squad]

Ooh, I love this new topic. :-D Thanks for creating it Danielle.

I have a lot of ideas going around my head right now but sometimes I get the "but I already did something like that last time" feeling like you described.

I think the best thing is to just write it. Even if it's somewhat similar to the previous, the characters will be different and will often dictate a different course the story can take. Once it's down, you can always change and tweak it. Maybe you'll see something different to add with this new one.

This sounds like an awesome book though. I want to read it lol.

I should probably take my own advice lol. I've been shuffling my feet on a new IR romantic suspense with an agent and a CEO/scientist on the run. But I don't want to write another Before Dawn Breaks lol.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Thanks for posting your thoughts. That is great advice, Rae, that I needed to hear. I've been turning it over in my head and I think I can definitely take it in a different direction. You're right that the characters will lead you where they want/need to go. This is my Yakuza hero story (FYI). The Yakuza has an intricate honor code of their own that exists outside of the law. This would play a big part in my story.

Rae your story sounds awesome! Write that puppy!

[CaliGirlRae, Mod Squad]

Yakuza hero! I want to read!! lol.

Thanks Danielle! I think I'll at least pop out the first chapter and then see where it takes me from there.

I'm over here cheering you on writing yours. It sounds awesome and I know you can write some bad boys turning good with some great action and romance!

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

(Blushing.) Thanks, Rae. I'm glad there are others who like this theme. I feel I will be writing a fair amount of stories with these kinds of heroes, but also the really sweet, kind guys like Selim. :)

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I hope I can get a chance to read your story at some point!

[Arch , Mod]

Danielle, what's Yakuza?

In my stories, my readers will always find tension and romantic times. I write my stories in different voices, but to someone else, they might all sound the same and that's not what I am doing with my stories.

Danielle, write your story no matter how it sounds. I know that you can do it Danielle. You love those torture heroes and I know that you can write one well.

A certain pattern doesn't make the same story.

[CaliGirlRae, Mod Squad]

The sweet, kind guys definitely need some time in the limelight. Thanks for writing them!

I hope you can read it too Danielle! I'm eyeing a certain market with it and I really hope it's a bullseye. We shall see though.

Yakuza is the Japanese organized crime yeah? Some really bad dudes! I'm not sure if the Triad (Chinese group) or Yakuza is more creative. Eek! Do you know, Danielle?

Arch, that's a really good point.

[Arch , Mod]

Rae, I love reading about kind guys.

I remember watching TV a couple of years ago and they were talking about an Asian gang in China.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Arch wrote: "Danielle, what's Yakuza?

In my stories, my readers will always find tension and romantic times. I write my stories in different voices, but to someone else, they might all sound the same and tha..."

Thanks for the sage advice, Arch. I think all your stories are unique. I think that Rae answered your question. I'll see if there is anything to add.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Rae wrote: "The sweet, kind guys definitely need some time in the limelight. Thanks for writing them!

I hope you can read it too Danielle! I'm eyeing a certain market with it and I really hope it's a bullseye..."

The Yakuza is strangely enough, an accepted institution in Japan. I read a great article on them on Wikipedia. Here is the link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakuza

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Rae wrote: "The sweet, kind guys definitely need some time in the limelight. Thanks for writing them!

I hope you can read it too Danielle! I'm eyeing a certain market with it and I really hope it's a bullseye..."

I have to do my homework on the Chinese Triad. I'm a little undereducated about that crime division. :)

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Rae wrote: "The sweet, kind guys definitely need some time in the limelight. Thanks for writing them!

I love the sweeties!

[Arch , Mod]

Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Thanks for the sage advice, Arch. I think all your stories are unique. I think that Rae answered your question. I'll see if there is anything to add. "

You are welcome Danielle and thank you.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Thanks for sharing your wisdom. :)

[A.M.]

Danielle,

The best advise I can give is to listen to characters and let them guide the story for you, even if not the direction you want to take it in.

Of course my problem is I find it hard to focus on one story at time with so many characters wanting to talk all at once.

But lately I've been really focused on completing my first full length MS, (Venus Revealed) I'm almost at 40k WC and when it's complete I'll have about 85k total.

Keep writing,

[CaliGirlRae, Mod Squad]

Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Rae wrote: "The sweet, kind guys definitely need some time in the limelight. Thanks for writing them!

I hope you can read it too Danielle! I'm eyeing a certain market with it and I really hope i..."

Now that is interesting! Thanks for the link, Danielle. :-) If you want to read a little bit about the Triad's (or at least one take about it) I heard Stephan J. Cannell explored it in his Riding the Snake book. Plus it's IR from what I hear. Otherwise, may have to take another Wiki stop (love that place :-)).

I like Brenda's advice. When the characters take over, it's awesome. But I do also wonder what to do those times when all the characters want the spotlight at the same time! :-)

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I think it's fun but frustrating when you have a bunch of stories in your head. Usually I have those moments when I'm too busy to write a lot.

I do appreciate the advice, Brenda. :) The bad boys and the shy, quiet girls tend to talk to me and ask me to tell their stories. I can't seem to write an overbearing heroine. Not sure why. I'm done a few prickly heroines, but they aren't obnoxious about it. We're cheering you along in finishing your story, Brenda. I read the part you posted and it was awesome. Great buildup and I loved how you revealed at the end of it. I want to read more.

I have Riding The Snake in the tbr pile, thankfully. I love a good action yarn. I would love for interracial action romance to be my niche, if I ever get off my but and get my stories published. Also I'd like to break into speculative fiction (paranormal romance, pulp, dark fantasy/urban fantasy/horror).

Wikipedia is my second home, other than GR. :)

[new_user]

I'm rootin' for ya, Danielle. :D I know sometimes I have difficulty choosing between the alternative paths a hero/story can take. Sometimes so many options are plausible and interesting that writing practically becomes a Pick-Your-Own-Adventure novel, LOL. With more and more branches. How do you commit to one?

[Chaeya]

I have no other advice than to just follow your muse and do it.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I go with the feeling in my gut, New User. I don't usually have to change the ending on a story, according to what feels right for me. When I finish a story, that is. But I always have this fear that I will be labeled the writer who is writing the same story, over and over again. I like a certain theme, but I do want to do different things in each story. Thanks for the support, New User.

I appreciate the advice, Chaeya. It's good advice. I always have to remind myself what my first writing teacher said, 'Throw the editor in the closet.'

[A.M.]

Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I think it's fun but frustrating when you have a bunch of stories in your head. Usually I have those moments when I'm too busy to write a lot.

I do appreciate the advice, Brenda. :) The bad ..."

Danielle,

You're welcome and thank you for the encouragement.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

We should support and encourage each other as writers. Writing is a lonely occupation.

[CaliGirlRae, Mod Squad]

"Throw the editor in the closet." I love that. :-) May I borrow that to tell to my next novel writing class? I think they'd like that lol.

I know what you mean about being labeled with the same story. That's one of my fears as well but then I wonder if I'll throw some readers of with my genre hopping. But I'm like you. I like to tell different stories and some happen to fall in different genres based on the characters, setting and themes. Hopefully readers will enjoy the stories I tell. :-)
I'm sure your readers will love your stories wherever you go, Danielle, because I can tell you have strong characters and storytelling in the offerings I've read from you. I'll be there as the first in line to check out each of your works!

I agree. Writers need all the support we can get. :-)

[Arch , Mod]

I have to admit, I am glad that I have gotten the chance to meet other writers. Writers need to communicate with other writers.

We are connected by writer's glue.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Rae wrote: ""Throw the editor in the closet." I love that. :-) May I borrow that to tell to my next novel writing class? I think they'd like that lol.

I know what you mean about being labeled with the same st..."

Thanks so much, Rae. I am sure that Tom Knowles, my first writing teacher, would love you to use that sentence, if it helps students. I don't think your stories are similar at all, but they have your stamp on them. You are a wonderful writer. I like that you can read an author and know her trademark, even if each story reads different. My favorite authors are like this.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Arch wrote: "I have to admit, I am glad that I have gotten the chance to meet other writers. Writers need to communicate with other writers.

We are connected by writer's glue. "

--That is a great way to put that, Arch.

[CaliGirlRae, Mod Squad]

Rockin'! I'll make a note of it for next class. And thanks so much Danielle! I'm glad to hear that. Author voice/trademark can be such a hard thing to grasp consciously but it's good to know when it strikes a pitch with readers. :-)

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I think of Anne Stuart's dangerous heroes as her trademark. And one of the reasons I love her so much.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Hugs, Eugenia. I've been there with you, often. I would suggest putting down the current project and just free-writing. Don't over edit it. Just get some words on the paper. Some of it might turn out to be really good.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Also Anne Stuart does really good banter between her h/h. People just think of her as having ice cold heroes, but she has some great back and forth lines. That's why I wish she would write some more 40s era stories. That would be so awesome to see that 40s comedy romance vibe in her stories. She is my favorite author ever and I just love the woman. I don't try to emulate her, but I know she's rubbed off on me stylistically.

[Arch , Mod]

I love tension between a hero and heroine.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Me too, Arch. The back and forth and the interaction between the h/h is much more sexy than a love scene, when done right. Because it's about anticipation.

[Arch , Mod]

Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Me too, Arch. The back and forth and the interaction between the h/h is much more sexy than a love scene, when done right. Because it's about anticipation."

I totally agree.

[CaliGirlRae, Mod Squad]

Danielle, I blame you for getting me hooked on Anne Stuart too lol.

Which ones did she write that take place in the 40s?

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Rae wrote: "Danielle, I blame you for getting me hooked on Anne Stuart too lol.

Which ones did she write that take place in the 40s?"

I'm sorry. I didn't see this one. Here is her book set in the 30s Very alpha kind of rough, Mitchum-esque hero

Angels Wings This book rocks!!!

This one has flashbacks to the 30s and St. Valentine's Day Massacre

One More Valentine


These are modern books but have the 40s era chemistry b/w h/h

Chasing Trouble

Catspaw
Catspaw II

Maybe if we all focus on sending her 30-40s era book vibes, she will write another one.

I'm glad you're loving Anne Stuart, Rae.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Eugenia wrote: "Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Hugs, Eugenia. I've been there with you, often. I would suggest putting down the current project and just free-writing. Don't over edit it. Just get some wor..."

I hope it works, Eugenia. You will get your muse back. :)

[Arch , Mod]

Read a good book. Converse with other writers or even watch a good movie or listen to relaxing music. These can help with the writing flow. Well, in my case it does.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I agree, Arch.

I have also found that you should keep your mind open to inspiration in all forms. Those things that have value to you really do contribute to your storytelling.

[Arch , Mod]

Yes Danielle.

I have to admit, I love when the words are flowing.

[A.M.]

Arch wrote: "Read a good book. Converse with other writers or even watch a good movie or listen to relaxing music. These can help with the writing flow. Well, in my case it does."

Arch, I agree. I also keep a pen and pad on my night stand. I tend to get ideas or work out scene in my head while I'm sleeping or watching tv. I find listening to classical and jazz music help to inspire me and keep me writing too.

Brenda

Brenda

[Arch , Mod]

Yes Brenda, the music can be so good that I stop writing to sing along or even move my head to the beat. Then again, sometimes, I type and sing and move my head.

[A.M.]

Arch, I not that well coordinated. What are you working on at the moment?

[Arch , Mod]

Brenda wrote: "Arch, I not that well coordinated. What are you working on at the moment?"

On a story for NaNoWriMo. I'm still writing to my story Courage as well.

[A.M.]

Arch, What is NaNoWriMo?

I've read some of the chapters you've posted and you're very talented writer.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I'm not Arch, but I'm going to answer your question, if you don't mind. NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month. You commit to finishing a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. You should sign up for it, Brenda. The website is nanowrimo.org.

[A.M.]

No. I don't mind and thanks, Danielle. Maybe next year, right now I've got about 43,200 wc of a WIP I've committed myself to finishing before the end of the year. My goal is 85,000 WC.

Thanks for link, I've bookmarked so I can check out later.

[Arch , Mod]

Brenda wrote: "Arch, What is NaNoWriMo?

I've read some of the chapters you've posted and you're very talented writer."

Sorry that I am just getting back to you Brenda.

Thanks Danielle for answering the question.

In regards to my stories, thanks Brenda.

[Arch , Mod]

I find that letting your brain relax and enjoy other activies, such as reading or watching TV. It can help the writing juice flow.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

That's very true, Arch.