Reader alert: The publishing industry has experienced nonstop upheavals for the past five years or so. Some people would say the industry is convulsing. Others would say it is dying a slow, painful death. (I’m mentioning this for those of you who’ve been walking around in some sort of daze. Or who never read the news–not even just the headlines.) No …
Contemporary Romance Writer: Do You Read Debut Novels?
How do you feel about debut novelists? Not personally … I mean, do you read a novel by a debut author? I’m not asking for myself. Really. I have other friends wearing the title “debut novelist” too: Lisa Jordan (Lakeside Reunion, available now!) Camille Eide (Savanna’s Gift, available Dec. 3, 2011!) Gina Conroy (Cherry Blossom Capers, January 2012) …
Contemporary Romance Writer: Disaster-ed to Death
Most stories have a certain rhythm to them — I’m thinking of something beyond the basic beginning, middle, end structure. Most stories, whether in novel or movie form, have a bad-badder-baddest structure. In other words, as the story progresses, things go from bad to worse to really, really, really bad for the characters. However — and this is a key …
Contemporary Romance Writer: Today or Yesterday?
Historical romance is hot — or so say the publishing pundits. My debut novel, Wish You Were Here … um, it’s set in the here and now. As in Colorado. Today. Did I know readers wanted historical romance when my novel was nothing more than a work in progress? Yes. Yes, I did. Then why, if I was really thinking …
Contemporary Romance Writer:That “Can’t Put It Down” Book
We lose sleep for lots of different reasons. Illness. Anxiety. Sometimes we even stay up into the wee small hours because we’re celebrating something fun. But how often have you stayed up too late because of a book? You start reading a novel and you get so caught up in the story — the conflict between the hero and the …
Contemporary Romance Writers: Telling the Truth
I love the characters I run into when I read a novel. It doesn’t matter whether I’m reading a romantic suspense, a la Susan May Warren, a low country romance, a la Rachel Hauck, an historical a la Siri Mitchell, or even a contemporary romance, a la … well, all three of those authors (and even my upcoming debut novel, …
Opposites Attract — or do they?
We’ve heard it so many times it qualifies as an overworked, underpayed cliche: Opposites attract. Really? Do they? And if those opposites get all attracted to one another, is this a good thing? There certainly are certainly plenty of novels where two very different personalities fall in love. Here are two from two of my favorite authors: Joy and Luke, …
The Romance of Words
Just the other day, I wrote about how romance requires a kiss. Last night I wrote my blog post over at the WordServe Water Cooler — using the movie The Princess Bride as an analogy for the writing life. Thanks to Westley, aka “Farm Boy,” and Buttercup, I realized how vital words are to romance. As you wish. Three one-syllable words. But, …
Kiss Da Girl
If you write romance, plan on writing a scene with a kiss in it. Maybe two. And, yeah, I know there are authors out there who write scenes with a whole lot more than kissin’ going on. I am not one of those authors. You know what? It’s tough to write a good kiss. I know what a good …
Debut Author Lisa Jordan on Forgiveness
I’ve been smiling all week whenever I think about my friend Lisa Jordan. Her Love Inspired debut novel, Lakeside Reunion, is now available on Amazon.com! (Lakeside Reunion will hit bookstore shelves in the next few weeks.) The novel focuses on forgiveness, as Lindsey Porter, the heroine, struggles to decide if she’s willing to risk her heart for a second chance …