Sunday, July 6th, 2008
Archive for July, 2008
Friday, July 4th, 2008
I’m not one of those writers who says, “I’ve always wanted to be a writer.” Or, “I wrote my first story in grade school, and knew I would write for the rest of my life.” I’ve always been anavid reader, and I can remember in High school I once thought “Someday I’d like to write a book.” But that was about it.
Then, when I was in my mid twenties, I started to thnk about writing once again. I love to travel, and I thought if I could find a way to get paid to travel, it would be the perfect job. So I took a magazine writing course (One of those night school continuing education ones) and then started on an article about my trip to Nepal.
Of course, then work got busy and the article sat unfinished for six years. Then, six years ago, when I decided I didn’t want to be a bartender forever, and I didn’t want to own my own pub, my mind went back to writing. With a little guidance from a mentor, I started writing erotica…and haven’t stopped since.
If you’ve read a couple of my stories I’m sure you’ll find a blend of heat levels from sensual to hard core erotic. Some have a traditional HEA, some don’t, although all have a romance in them to some degree.
I know some readers get upset when they read a book labeled Erotic Romance and it doesn’t have a traditional HEA, but in my mind, not having a traditional HEA is better than forcing an ending to the story that isn’t natural to the characters.
Maybe I’m rebelling against all those harlequin romances I read when I was growing up, where the secretary and the billion dollar business tycoon end up happily ever after. Maybe I’m just more realistic because of 19 years in the hospitality industry, and seeing so many couples fight, cheat, and divorce. It could be a blend of both. The thing is, I do believe in HEA, and in my mind, my characters all have them, they just might not have them in the space of the story.
Take Devil’s Jewel for instance. It’s a category length story in SEXY DEVIL, and in my mind it’s erotic (even though it isn’t liberally peppered with sex scenes) and it’s romantic, even though the hero and heroine aren’t planning a wedding at the end. But the story takes place over a three-day time span. There’s a lot that goes on, and they know they want to be together more, and all that, but would you, as a reader, really want to see them planning marriage and babies? Yes, a certain amount of unbelievability is allowed – I mean, the hero is a mind reader who hunts things that go bump in the night – but then again, there will be a sequel, and the characters will be back…so is that enough?
In BOUND, it was a first person POV, and truly Katie’s story. It was all about her journey. I still get reader letters about how much they love Joe (the hero) and so far only reviewers have been the ones to mention wanting to have the hero’s POV. But to me, it wasn’t needed, because the story was about Katie. Did that take away from the romance? I don’t think so. I wanted to the reader to go on that ride with Katie, the fall in love, what the hell am I doing sort of ride.
I can go on and on and list examples of different levels and reasons behind why I write the way I write, but I think the truth of it is simple. I write the story as I feel it is meant to be told. Be it, first person POV, or multiple third person. It could be full of hot and sweaty wrestlin’ between the sheets, or full of tension and potential.
Why am I trying to make this point? Because I’ve been reading a lot in the last few months. And I’m sad to say, I’m not enjoying the majority of what I read. Plenty of great ideas, and story premise, but in my opinion, a lot of the books have lacked that magic I want. The story telling magic that draws the reader in a hooks me, and makes me laugh out loud, cry, or even call a lover and invite him over.
I’ve been thinking about it, and I figure too many writers out there are becoming overly-analytical in how they disect what they need to include in a story. I think that so many writers are delving into their craft books and studying and learning and trying so hard to do things right, that they are forgetting the most important thing. It’s all about staying true to the character, and the story – even if that means doing something the craft books, or the reviewers, or the bloggers who tear apart every book out there, tell you not too.
On the other hand, I’ve also been read some books recently where the author is obviously trying to break the rules. Trying to do what is completely unexpected and never been done. I love to see writers push the envelope, and go for it, but at the same time…sometimes doing things just to do them is just as bad as doing them because you’re told you can’t.
There is always an exception to the rule, any rule. But only if you are staying true to the character and the story, and not just doing it to break the rules. To me, the magic of the a good story comes from the heart of the storyteller, not the mechanics of a story.
Do good stories have good mechanics? Yes. Learning the craft of writing is important. Learning about what is selling is important to building a career. I’m not saying don’t do these things, but it’s all a balancing act. It’s important to not to let those mechanics take over the story. It’s a talent for the author to know when to quit mucking with a story, and let the magic shine through. Over thinking and over-editing can kill that magic.
I’m certainly not an authority on writing. Yes, I’m an author, and I feel I have some knowledge, and can form an educated opinion on many aspects of the craft and this business. Therefor, I just wanted to throw out my best advice to others who want to write, or who do write. That advice is: Realize tht all those craft books, and workshops and lectures you read/attend, are only other people opinions. What they say will not always be right for what you do…so follow your heart, and to have faith in the story you want to tell, and what YOU can do.
Thursday, July 3rd, 2008
Delilah’s Here!!!
She did send me her stuff yesterday, but it was already after I went to work, so here’s a little about one of my favorite authors, and her newest release. Check it out!
Sasha: What are you planning for the series?
Delilah: Sin’s Gift is the first in a series of books I’m tentatively calling The Shadowlands. It’s an introduction to the adventure series seen through the eyes of two human cops, one of whom suffered a head injury that enables her to see beyond the “glamour” otherworldly creatures use to disguise themselves. I wanted the reader to see it unfold from her eyes. I wanted the heroine to question her own sanity and for everyone around her wonder about her too. In sequels we’ll get to know better some of the creatures she aligns herself with. I wanted a lot of flexibility so that I could have fun with the stories and not have too repetitious a feel. Some will slip into the deep end of fantasy, others will slide more toward gritty, urban fantasy. I’m thinking since it’s set in Texas, why not have my demon team investigating other world horse rustler? What would happen if demons took over a maximum security prison? I just keep asking “what if?” and thinking about all the industries and flavors that exist in Texas and the stories could go on forever!
Why do you like writing series?
Delilah:The best thing about writing series is that I never had to say goodbye to characters I love.
When I wrote my very first vampire story for Ellora’s Cave, All Hallow’s Heartbreaker, I wasn’t planning on writing a series. I had a secondary character, Quentin, who emerged fully fleshed, with a wicked sense of humor, who I didn’t like leaving without a “Happily Ever After.” Readers wanted his story too, so I obliged with Love Bites. When I wrote his story, there was a messy ménage love scene and another sexy male who was heartbroken at the end of the story. Before I knew it, I’d published six stories in the My Immortal Knight realm. Series was easy for me to write, not that I ever planned a sequel ahead of time, it’s just the way each story blended into the next. I’m now writing the 7th book in that series, but offering it free to readers through my newsletter group.
When I sold to Avon RED with the first of my Dark Realm stories, I committed, up front, to writing a series. Suddenly, I had to find those threads that I could drop for the next story, and the writing got much more complicated because the stories were more complex with a much larger cast of characters.
How did you come up with the idea for the Sin’s Gift?
Delilah:As happens a lot to me, I was drifting off to sleep, thinking about this cop who’s just come back to work after being shot in the head. I’d been watching a lot of Vincent D’Onofrio in “Criminal Intent” and loving how damaged he is. I’d been missing San Antonio since I moved to Arkansas. I thought about my hardass female cop working in one of the substations around that city and what her first day back at work would be like, and then I started to dream. Of course, I had to get up and write that first scene as it played out. It’s not magic or anything, it’s just my overactive imagination and insomnia.
To learn more abotu Delilah, check out her website at www.delilahdevlin.com
When Police Officer Sinead O’Rourke returns to duty months after being shot in an incident that also claimed her partner, she knows it’s not going to be easy. Despite being cleared of any negligence, her fellow officers wonder whether she’s partially responsible for his death. One more problem is that everyone knows she claims to have seen his ghost. After months of rehabilitation and lying like hell about the fact she’s not seeing spooks anymore, Sin’s determined to get back into the saddle.
Jake Chapa doesn’t want to partner with Sin. Been there, done that—couldn’t keep his hands off her the first time around. She’s too much of a distraction and her penchant for rushing into trouble scares the shit out of him. Despite wishing she’d quit her job, he’s still deeply attracted, so much so that when an armed robbery goes down and something happens that rattles Sin to the core, he’s right there—ready to cover her back and her sweet body…
Click below to read an EXCERPT in the rest of the post!
Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008
Kay People, Delilah is behind schedule, so her guest post will go up as soon as I get it, maybe tomorrow? Not sure, but when I get it, I’ll put it up.
So for today, I’m going to talk to you about something else – Fantasies, and the opportunity to live them out.
Have you ever wondered if you’d “go for it” if given the chance to live out a fantasy?
I’ve often wondered it for myself, then usually said “Yes!”. LOL My opportunites have always managed to come as a chance of luck type thing, which is why I generally go with it. Sort of a “it was meant to happen” type of train of thought.
A while ago some readers on WICEKED WRITERS loop started talking about why they enjoy reading BDSM, and if they would truly be interested in experiencing it. The conversation led to different levels of BDSM and Kink, as well as the relationships and more. Then a day or two after that, I received an email from a guy who had visited my website, and invited me to see thiers. It was very intriguing. (and sort of no such thing as coincedence ??)
Into The Attic is an amature BDSM site. Women (And I think men, get to go there, an explore their submissive fantasies. The catch? It’s videotaped.
Now, one thing I did notice in my research into BDSM previously is that the majority of submissives usually also enjoy some exhibitionism. So this might not be a bad thig for some. It was certainly a good thing for my research as I learned a lot by watching , and talking to them. (You can read more about my research at THE DUNGEON )
Into The Attic is a member site, where you watch real live submissive sessions. These are not actors, but real people. I’ve watched less than half a dozen of the film sequences with various Guests of the Attic (Each session seems to have 5 or 6 sequences,) and I’m still not sure how I feel about them.
Were they tasteful? I think they are. You can choose what part of each session you want to watch, and each session is also descrbed above so you know what you are getting into.
Each session also starts and ends with the Guest speaking clearly about what they are there for. (I’m sure that’s sort of a legal thing too) lol
Were the videos arousing to me? More to my imaginaition than my body. I think I’d enjoy it a lot more if I was writing a BDSM themed story right now – As they are nothing if not creative. I also might enjoy it more if there was a chance of myself and a partner emulating some of it…but I’m partnerless right now, so I took a more analytical view of things. LOL
Do I recommend it? Yes! I think if you have an interest in being submissive, or exploring that aspect of yourself, you should definitely check out INTO THE ATTIC. It’s very interesting.
