Issue #07
July, 2005
Dear Romance Student,
It's hotter than Hades here in South Florida. More
and more, I find myself taking that trusty laptop poolside.
Temperatures are close to the hundred-degree mark, and my reward for writing
a page or two is taking a plunge into cool water. (When I am not sipping on
a thirst-quenching Margarita, that is.)
So far, feedback on my recent release, "A Taste of Paradise," has
been good.
And sales have been brisk.
July has always been a fun-filled month for me. My July 4th holiday weekend
started off in Victoria, British Columbia ... which is quaint and picturesque.
High tea is still served on the verandahs of sprawling Victorian homes. Imagine
nibbling piping-hot scones with mouthwatering clotted cream. Imagine seeing
horse-drawn carriages steered by drivers in top hats and tails. There is something
about this romantic setting that makes you think you might run into Charles
Dickens in one of its many enchanting B&Bs. Victoria is truly a writer's
paradise.
On another note, Helen Buttery (AWAI's Director of New Product Development)
and I are getting ready to head for Reno to attend the National Romance Writers
of America
(RWA) conference. This is RWA's silver anniversary, and the inside scoop is
that some of your favorite authors -- those often too busy to patronize these
events -- will attend. We hope to take lots of pictures and bring new and exciting
ideas back to further enhance the Writing for Love and Money program.
Here's some of what's been said about the program so far:
"With my whole shelf of reference books on 'how to' write ... this program
has been more beneficial than all of them. I like the "step-by-step" approach.
I think what's really good is the actual feedback with the outline, the synopsis,
and query. Of course, in my case, YOU have been really helpful, too!" --
Cindy
"Let me say, this is excellent. I am really learning a lot here." --
Eleanor
"I'd like to say what a useful service I think you're providing to
writers.
I've found the materials in the program extremely pertinent and well presented.
I've also found inspiration and a new sense of discipline. Best of all, I've
had interest from an agent whose name I found in some of your research materials.
She has read the first three chaps of my chick-lit novel and awaits the rest
of it." -- Elise
FYI, there's a change in this month's author interview.
Carla Neggers' interview is being postponed until next month to coincide with
the release of her new romantic suspense "Dark Sky."
In its stead, I have substituted an interview with our Advisory Board member
Carol Stephenson. Carol is an attorney by day, romance writer whenever she can.
She's also a fabulous photographer. For those of you interested in writing action
adventure or thrillers, this is one interview you shouldn't miss. Keep reading.
Tools of the Trade
This month's tip is provided by romance/ screenplay writer Marilyn Jordan (one
of the people who do critiques for the Writing for Love and Money program).
This accomplished writer is an ex-librarian as well as a reviewer of romance
novels. Her article comes to you in two parts. Stay tuned for Part 2 in August.
Three Simple Tricks for Building Characters, Part
by Marilyn Jordan
Readers like characters who are believable, unique, and interesting. How can
you come up with these kinds of characters? How can you make your characters
stand out?
Here are three easy and fun ways to play with the personalities of the people
in your stories and turn them from boring cardboard creations into colorful
and well-rounded individuals.
The Enneagram
There's a nifty tool that provides a shortcut to crafting memorable, complex
characters called the Enneagram. The Enneagram is a psychological system that
spotlights nine basic personality types and is, itself, a synthesis of several
earlier traditions. Each personality type is shown as a point on a circle ...
which means each is influenced by its "wing" or adjacent type on either
side, as well as showing either integration or disintegration by its direction
across the circle.
The nine types often have slightly different names, depending on whose book
you're reading ... but are basically the following:
- The Reformer/ Perfectionist
- The Helper/ Nurturer
- The Motivator/ Performer
- The Artist/ Tragic Romantic
- The Thinker/ Observer
- The Loyalist/ Devil's Advocate
- The Generalist/ Epicure
- The Leader/ Boss
- The Peacemaker/ Mediator
Obviously, you can see that certain types are especially suited to romances.
Romance heroes tend to be rational Ones, adventurous Sevens, or aggressive
Eights. It's more rare to find a Thinker or a Peacemaker as a hero. It might
be interesting to try one of these rarer types out in your story, especially
if you can blend it with one or the other of its wings to come up with an interesting
new slant. Heroines are often nurturing Twos. Again, it can be fun and challenging
to come up with a different type of heroine and break the mold, especially with
so many new and exciting types of romance books out there ... including Luna
fantasy and Bombshell kick-ass stories.
Two of the best authors of books on the Enneagram are Don Richard Riso and
Helen Palmer. They each have multiple titles on how to use the Enneagram in
love, at work, etc.
Helen Palmer has a 6-tape set called The Enneagram Workshop. Don Richard Riso
also has a 6-tape set. His is called The Power of the Enneagram: A New Technology
of Self-Discovery. Check them out. They can be really helpful.
There are two more resource books on the Enneagram that are particularly helpful
to romance writers. The first is "THE LITERARY ENNEAGRAM: Characters from
the Inside Out," by Judith Searle. In it, she offers an in-depth analysis
of each Enneagram type, using examples from books and plays, so you can see
exactly how the characterization was accomplished on the page. Her examples
include Peter Pan (the quintessential Seven), Madame Bovary (a Four), Bridget
Jones (also a Seven), and the Wife of Bath (an Eight).
The second book is "THE ENNEAGRAM MOVIE AND VIDEO GUIDE:
How to see Personality Styles in the Movies," by Thomas Condon. The author
gives real-life examples of the various Enneagram types (i.e. the actors and
actresses themselves), as well as describing the characters they play. He talks
about actors playing their own type versus actors who can play other types.
It's fascinating stuff. Although this is a second edition, there are no movies
in it after 2000. Even so, it's an extremely useful tool if you want to see
a character type in action. The author provides a handy-dandy Master List of
movies at the back, with the characters listed by type. In "The African
Queen," for example, the Katharine Hepburn character is a One
(Reformer) and the Humphrey Bogart character is a Nine (Peacemaker). This makes
for a very interesting and dynamic combination as the prim Hepburn tries to
reform the indolent Bogart. Another example: Kate Winslet is a Four (Artist/
Tragic Romantic) in real life and has played that same type in most of her movies,
including "Sense and Sensibility" and "Titanic."
(Stay tuned for Part 2 of this article in the August issue of Romantically
Yours.)
Happenings:
Romance Writers of America National Conference
July 27-30, 2005
Reno, NV
Come celebrate RWA's
silver anniversary. Members and non-members welcome. Participate in the workshops,
Literacy Signing, and Golden Heart Awards.
www.rwanational.org
First Annual Reel Hollywood Premier Event and Pitchfest
August 26-28, 2005
Hollywood Beach, FL
For screenwriters -- the First Annual Reel Hollywood Premier Event and Pitchfest.
For more information, log on to the website:
www.thereelhollywood.com
Southern Tier Authors of Romance
September 9-10, 2005
2005 Start Your Engines -- Southern Tier Authors of Romance Holiday Inn Downtown,
Ithaca, NY Sherrilyn Kenyon, Mary Janice Davidson, Editors/ Agents.
September 10, 2005
Book fair/ signing. members.aol.com/starrwa
Toronto Romance Writer Toronto Reference Library
How to Write the Ultimate Keeper
Toronto Romance Writer Toronto Reference
Library, Toronto, Ontario Mary Balogh will lead a full-day workshop on how
to craft the ultimate keeper. Book sale/ signing.
workshops@torontoromancewriters.com
Kiss of Death Mystery/ Suspense
Writing Mystery/ Suspense Retreat
September 23-25, 2005
Kiss of Death Mystery/ Suspense Chapter
AmeriSuites Hotel, San Antonio, TX Joanne Pence, Joanna Novins, Michel Scott,
Maggie Lawson, others. bkroon@hickorytech.net
Women's Fiction Festival
September 28 to October 1, 2005
Matera, Italy
Chicklit Writers of the World
UNESCO World Heritage Site, Matera, Italy All genres welcome. Editors, Agents,
Booksellers.
Booksigning.
www.womensfictionfestival.com
Now, on with our interview with Silhouette Bombshell author Carol Stephenson.
Carol is a busy attorney whose workday can run easily 16 hours.
Yet this disciplined author always makes time for writing ... and always delivers
on time. Carol's first book, "Nora's Pride," a Silhouette special
edition, received numerous awards.
For more about Carol, please log on to
www.carolstephenson.com.
Marcia King-Gamble
Director of Student Services and
Editor of "Writing
for Love and Money"
Interview with Carol Stephenson
RY: It's said that romance writers come from different walks of life. In addition
to being a romance writer, you carry a pretty full load. Tell us about your
day job.
CS: I'm a lawyer by day, working as a workers' compensation insurance defense
attorney. This area of law does consist of litigation, but the trials are before
a judge only, with no jury. My day consists of taking depositions, attending
hearings and mediations, and writing a ton of reports and summaries. It's a
hectic schedule that often spills over into nights and weekends.
RY: You sound like a pretty busy lady. How do you find the discipline to write?
Can you share any tips with our readers?
CS: BIC -- HOK ... Butt In Chair -- Hands On Keyboard. A book gets written
one word at a time. In addition, I've learned to write in snatches of time.
If I had to wait for the perfect time and perfect environment to write in,
I would never have finished a book, let alone sold it. I'll write wherever,
whenever, and however I can. Fortunately, I'm not a linear writer. If I get
stumped by a scene, I go on to write the scene I do "see" ... and
then I go back.
No word is engraved in stone and can't be revised, so I keep moving forward.
I also fine-tune the book (i.e. revise) only when the first draft is written.
Too often, I've seen writers become mired in polishing the first three chapters
... and then never finish the book. A book not written is a book not published.
Because the day job often becomes the night job as well, I get up an hour early
to write before I get ready for work.
This is very tough for me, as I'm a night owl. But I found that my internal
editor doesn't like to sleep in, so I can write anywhere from 2-4 pages.
Moreover, I keep notepads everywhere. During breaks for mediations or depositions,
I'll jot down notes for dialogue or the next scene.
Whatever works for you, it's important that you do develop a writing schedule
and stick to it. Once you're published, you're going to be writing under contract
deadlines.
Establishing good writing habits now will go a long way toward helping you
once you're published. Start with something manageable, or you'll be setting
yourself up for failure. If you think all you can manage is half a page a day,
start there. Then, after a few weeks, bump it up to a page ... and so on. Some
writers can only do 3-4 pages a day; others can write 30 pages. The number of
pages doesn't matter; it's what you can handle on a regular basis.
Consistent writing is the key to success.
RY: Your legal experience was very helpful to you in landing your recent deal
with Harlequin's Bombshell line.
Can you tell us about the line, page count, etc? Anything we need to know.
CS: Bombshell is Silhouette's exciting new action/ adventure line, featuring
a kick-ass heroine. The guidelines can be found at eharlequin.com -- Writing
Guidelines Silhouette Bombshell. Word count is 80,000-90,000. Bombshells can
be in first or third point of view, but that viewpoint does have to be primarily
the heroine's. The heroine is an emotionally complex woman who overcomes a risky
or high-stakes situation. As to the hero, he should be her equal -- but remember
that it is the heroine's story and she meets the action head on. The romantic
subplot has to have an emotionally satisfying ending, as the heroine always
gets her man!
If action/ adventure is not quite your writing bag, then check out the guidelines
for all the other lines. There's something for everyone. What's fabulous about
writing for Harlequin-Silhouette is their international distribution.
My book is already up on Amazon for the U.S., France, Germany, China, Japan,
Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as on Barnes and Noble. Amazing way
to build a readership base.
RY: Action/ adventure sounds exciting. I love the concept of women being "kick-ass" and
in charge. What's your new book, "Courting Danger," about?
CS: Stirring up trouble can be the best defense ...
Criminal defense attorney Katherine Rochelle is back in the saddle, so to speak.
After a scandal at her last job, she's determined to redeem her family name.
Being born into Palm Beach's elite means Kate has the money to create her own
law firm, but now she has to prove she has the brains to make it work. Her first
case: to defend a friend accused of murder.
Her old debutante skills and social connections may help her make her case,
but when Kate's life is threatened, she realizes that the truth hits close to
home. Now Kate's got to shake things up and flush out the killer before someone
decides the defense should rest in peace.
RY: How did you come up with the characters for "Courting Danger"?
Take this one step further, and tell us what types of characters you find most
intriguing and how you come up with multi-dimensional characters that readers
love (or love to hate).
CS: I've always wanted to write a female Perry Mason and have been toying with
the concept of an all-women criminal defense firm for years. When I learned
about the 1916 Palm Beach County Courthouse restoration project, I thought, "What
if there was a murder of a volunteer ... and what if there's a 30-year-old unsolved
disappearance from the courthouse?" I
pitched the general concept to my editor, and she asked to see a proposal. "Courting
Danger" was born.
I'm endlessly fascinated by the concept of redemption -- and if there's a universal
theme for my writing, it is a character's chance to atone for past mistakes.
Since life is so rarely black-and-white, I delve into the good and bad, the
strengths and weaknesses of my characters. We may not like someone, yet if we
understand his background and motivation, his actions should at least ring true.
I'm actually a panzer writer by nature, as opposed to working from a detailed
outline. I'd rather jump into the story, get to know my characters, and see
where they take me. When I'm truly into my characters' heads, they'll tell me
if there's been a misstep or misdirection in their actions.
At times, they'll simply surprise me with the turn of events.
RY: Is there a sequel to "Courting Danger"? If so, can you tell us
about the storyline? What do you have coming out next?
CS: Yes, "Courting Danger" is the first in the Legal Weapons miniseries
about an all-female criminal law defense firm set in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Next up is "Courting Disaster," Carling Dent's story. After Carling
is nearly killed in a jail cell attack that left her client dead and her with
amnesia, her emerging memory and her defense of a truck driver charged with
vehicular homicide will lead her to unraveling the money-laundering operation
of a local Russian mob. But can she learn the identity of the person who nearly
killed her before he strikes at her again?
In a different vein, I'm delighted to be part of a historical thriller seven-book
continuity series, along with a number of very talented authors.
Called the Madonna Key, the series features the adventures of a remarkable
group of women. Think "Alias" meets "The DaVinci Code."
I'm writing book #4, RETRIBUTION, release date 10/06. My heroine, an epidemiologist,
races across Western Europe to stop an outbreak of Spanish flu that's been manufactured
by the bad guys. The history that will be featured in my book is the 13th century
and the 3rd crusades.
RY: I know you belong to a critique group. [Carol and I are critique sisters.]
How helpful has such a group been to you? Would you recommend such a group to
our readers?
CS: My critique group is the absolute best! Although our schedules are hectic,
we try to meet once a month. We take turns hosting and furnishing breakfast.
Over the yummy food, we trade industry news and brainstorm promotion ideas.
Then it's on to the critique session. Depending on how many of us can attend,
we mail one to three chapters ahead of time.
The beauty of our critique is that we each bring a different strength and dimension
to the group. We have our plotting, characterization, dialogue, and, yes, even
grammar experts. Our comments are given with love and the desire to help each
other write the best books possible.
We support each other through all the ups and downs of a writing life. I highly
recommend a critique group, but you need to have guidelines up front.
Our group will be doing a workshop titled "Divine Secrets of the Critiquing
Sisterhood" at the 23rd Annual Romantic Times Booklovers'
Convention that will be held May 17-21, 2006 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
We would love to see you and help answer any questions to help you create a
successful critique group!
RY: Carol, you're also very involved with Romance Writers of America, can you
tell us about that?
CS: Founded in 1980, RWA is the professional association of 9,000 published
and aspiring romance writers. RWA is the largest non-profit genre writing association
of its kind in the world. It provides networking and support to individuals
seriously pursuing a career in romance fiction. In addition to the annual conference
where over 100 writing workshops are presented, RWA members receive in-depth
publishing news and articles on writing in the organization's monthly professional
journal, The Romance Writers' Report, and have access to the informative website: www.rwanational.org.
A member since 1992, I credit the writing contests sponsored by various RWA
chapters with opening the door for my first book sale.
Having been honored with RWA's service award, I've been on numerous committees
and am currently serving as the Bylaws Chairperson.
RY: You plan on attending the RWA conference in Reno on July 27th their 25th
anniversary. Can you give us a preview as to what you have planned? Are you
meeting with editors and agents? Are you attending parties, etc? Tell all.
CS: I wouldn't miss this conference for the world!
Although I plan to fly in early to do some sightseeing, my first event is Wednesday
night with the Literacy Signing.
Imagine ... over 300 authors in one gigantic ballroom autographing books, with
part of the proceeds going to literacy! I'm also excited that both my editor,
Stacy Boyd (who won the PASIC Editor of the Year in 2004) and my agent, Roberta
Brown (of the Brown Literary Agency) will be attending. Naturally, I'll be getting
together with both of them.
A full slate of workshops for all levels of writing experience run from Thursday
through Saturday. I'll be busy Thursday afternoon for RWA's Annual General Membership
meeting, as I'm the Bylaws Chairperson.
Friday night is happening, because that's when the publishing houses throw
big parties for their authors.
I'll be attending the Harlequin-Silhouette bash, which is always in a fabulous
location with great food and a terrific band. You never know who you'll end
up next to on the floor ... but let me tell you, there are some NYT authors
who are terrific dancers.
In honor of the organization's 25th anniversary, RWA will have a banquet dinner
Saturday night, followed by the prestigious Golden Heart and RITA Awards Ceremony.
A scrumptious dessert buffet always brings a sweet ending note to a great time
had by all.
RY: I want to get back to "Courting Danger" for a moment.
I really like the cover. Did you have input? How about the cover copy? Was
that something you were involved in?
CS: Silhouette-Harlequin has an extensive art-fact sheet that the author completes
for each book. We give details about the major characters, outline three key
scenes, and even include photos of how we envision the heroine and hero. Then
the editorial, marketing, and art departments meet and brainstorm ideas. Voila,
a cover! I was so thrilled with my cover that I sent the artist a box of Godiva
chocolates.
RY: You're also a very talented photographer. I've noticed that you've got
some wonderful photos on your website www.carolstephenson.com.
What are some of your other interests?
CS: I love to travel with my trusty 35 mm camera in one hand and a bag of tea
in the other. When I'm home, I like to garden to the blast of country music.
I've also been redecorating, and have become quite handy with a cordless drill.
I have to admit that I'm an HGTV junkie. A big movie fan, I love to treat myself
to a movie to start off the weekend, and I'd rather plug in a DVD than watch
most TV shows.
RY: You're such an accomplished and successful woman. A woman of many talents,
some might say. Why write? And why write romance?"
CS: Because I cannot "not" write. I've always written ... from mini-story
pamphlets that I created as a child to short stories and poems in high school.
However, it was the movie "Star Wars" that crystallized
my desire to be a storyteller. Writing romance was a natural choice, as I love
to explore the emotional journey of complex women and men with satisfying endings.
Yet, I've always thrilled to action/ adventure movies my entire life. When Silhouette
premiered its Bombshell line, it was a dream come true for me: action/ adventure
with a romance. How divine.
RY: And finally, Carol, you won numerous awards after your first book, "Nora's
Pride," was published. Then there was a slight lull in your career. Now
just look at you with all these wonderful things happening! Can you give some
words of encouragement to our readers who are trying to break into the romance
market?
CS: I'm probably one of the most focused and determined people you're ever
going to meet. I developed a game plan early on, and stuck to it. I also sacrificed
and learned to say "no."
But if you take joy in writing, study your craft, learn the market, persist,
and get to have the right book at the right time for an editor, some day you'll
experience the thrill of walking into a bookstore and seeing your book on the
shelf. There's nothing like it.
I wish you all success in your serious pursuit of writing, and look forward
to seeing your name on a book cover!
Who's Aquiring
Harlequin -- Announces the launching of a new six-book series, beginning September
2006. These short contemporaries will be high on romance and low on explicit
sexual detail. Harlequin is looking for feel-good reads within a variety of
international settings. Associate Senior Editor Byrony Green, based in the Richmond
UK office, will be responsible for the series.
Coming Next Month:
In August, we'll interview New York Times best-selling author Carla Neggers,
whose book "Dark Sky" is being released
ABOUT ROMANTICALLY YOURS
Romantically Yours is a FREE monthly newsletter for students of American
Writers & Artists Inc.’s Romance Writing Course – “Writing for Love
and Money.”
We want to hear from you. Please send comments, news, research, or story
ideas directly to Marcia King-Gamble at romanticallyyours@awaionline.com.
American Writers & Artists Inc.
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