Crows of Doubt

I am just about to e-mail the story idea for my new short contemporary to the editor who generously offered to look at it for me.
I may have to do ironing and housework whilst waiting for the feedback. This is serious.

" I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart." Vincent Van Gogh


P.S. I have just noticed that I have had my first visitor to this Blog from Australia. Welcome. And thank you for taking the time from your life, to make me smile. It means a lot.

Picture me a heroine

I think Emily Mortimer looks like an Amy. Don't you?

Quote of the day

Don't dream it, be it.

From the Rocky Horror Picture Show. As spoken by Frank N Furter. [ I kid you not]

Emotional Conflict

One of the fundamental things I have learnt about writing Romance is that the Emotional conflict between the couple is the driving force to work on during story development.

To me that means character.

I spend a lot of time thinking through ideas and options, but at some point I have to sketch my new friends onto paper.

Being of a somewhat scientific bent [ okay, I can be a geek and proud of it] I have therefore spent time looking for tools and ideas to help with the process.

There are many 'How To' books, on the market, and I'm sure we all have our favourites - such as the comprehensive writing courses from authors such as Kate Walker and Donald Maass. These are professional writers and editors who actually earn their living crafting stories. All power and respect.

In addition, many romance writers have spent time creating notes on the writing process on their WebSites and Blogs, and I thank them for that generosity of spirit. There are far too many for me to list but they are a fantastic resource for anyone who wants to push their writing to the next level.

Here is one approach I found myself using this morning with my hero, Jared.

http://www.emotionaltoolbox.com/etb/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Created by a pro screenwriter with the same goals - how to create an emotional experience for the reader/ audience. There are also critiques on movies and TV shows.

If you go to the 'Character map' in the sidebar it will take you through a series of Masks, Questions and Decision points which will drive the emotional battle between his attraction for my heroine, and the blocks due to internal conflict.

This approach certainly makes me challenge myself on how I am going to throw rocks at my hero using his flaws to drive the conflict.

There is a book length masterclass on character and story creation here - and all for free.

In fact, there are so many resources like this available, it almost becomes another source of procrastination i..e I won't start writing until I have completed my 30 page questionnnaire on where Jared went to school, did he walk there, what did he see on the way, what colour pens he used to write with. etc. etc.

Time to focus and start writing. Gulp. Now comes the heroine. Start the process all over again.

Picture me a hero

I think I have found the photos to help me with the character of my hero. Thanks to Just Jared for the links to images of Paul Sculfor.

I am, of course, totally heartbroken about imagining this hot chap nekkid. How ever will I live with myself?

Starting a new story

List of things needed to create new story:
1. Do I have a compelling story idea which will not go away? YES
2. Do I have an idea for a heroine who needs me to tell her story? YES
3. Do I have an idea for a wounded lovely man who needs my heroine to make his life complete? YES and YUM.
4. Do I know what to do next? Er, sort of.

I am a plotter. Comes from writing crime fiction for too long. If you need a tale with four level external conflicts [ real crime, apparent crime the criminal wants you to think happened, crime clues as found by the investigator, then romance plot] then I am your girl. Forget threads twisting together to make a rope, these plot thread interactions could haul a container ship.
My plot charts cover Excel spread sheets - with multiple pages. Four or five subplots.

Only I am not writing a crime book. I do not want to write a crime book.
I want to create an unforgettable short romance which will sweep me away into my own little world, based around two people who find eachother.

In the hero's journey theory, there are four main story challenges-
* greater antagonism - Kate Winslet gets on the Titanic to go to America
* external challenge- there is an iceberg in the way
* internal challenge - she does not want the life her mother/fiancee wants her to lead
* romantic challenge - Leo= Jack.
and mythological story telling weaves these elements together.

MY challenge - to focus on Only the Romantic Challenge and Internal Challenge within the boundaries set by the framework of the greater and external challenges.
In the romances I have worked on so far, I have started with the What If? game and the Characters - then my few remaining brain cells kick in, and before I know it, this couple have families and friends and neighbours and pets and hobbies... well you get the idea.

I am making my life - and my character's lives, far too complex.

Yes, my couple can have all of those things around them, just like real people do - but it does not have to be on the page, they should stay in my notes and backstory/profiles.
Last weekend at the RNA Conference, Kate Walker gave me a pearl of wisdom which she had been told herself years ago. 'Keep it simple, keep it deep.'

Now that. Is a challenge I'm prepared to take on. Wish me luck!

RNA conference - the sequel

What a weekend!
I have only been to one other RNA conference - Penrith, last year, and as a conference 'virgin' focused on the workshops/presentations which were excellent. This year I can honestly say that I learned more [terrific program of speakers], interacted more and used the time more effectively - and talked. And talked. Then talked some more. Trish Wylie was spot on when she said that writers love to talk.
I am completely hoarse. Some people sound attractive with a husky voice. I am not one of them - but it was completely worth it.
Caught up with folks I met last year, met new people, even had dinner with a bestselling US author who wanted to hear about my work and then proceeded to spin my brain with amazing advice and market info. It is still spinning.
I apologise to all the other writers who I deafened, but the excitement, the enthusiasm and the passion for the craft of the writers around me was hard to resist.
We struggle on, white wall, blank page in semi-isolation, then find ourselves thrust into the midst of other writers with completely different ages, lifestyles and life experiences- but sharing the same goals and aspirations - and love of storytelling. What a rush.
Then there were the editors who had given up their weekends to come and talk to us - and hear our dreams and story ideas and give professional input.
We thank them of course, and we mean it, but I wonder if they know how valuable their feedback is?
The authors may have a passion for what they are writing - but we all have doubts. Human nature. We do need to hear from someone external to our lives, that we are not completely wasting our time. We do mean it when we thank them for giving us their time.
And not trampling on our dreams.
Yes. Publishing is a business and a serious competitive business, and yes, we are essentially creating a product, which someone will have to believe in and sell to customers, looking for that product for their customers. But in what other industry would you find that level of mutual support and positive encouragement from all levels of the business, beginners and pros?

I need some serious lying down in a quiet room with a blanket over my head.