Is it ready? I know that it’s hard as a writer to know if your first chapter is ready for the eyes of a reader – whether it be an editor or agent….or a judge for the Frasier. I know because I go through the same angst every time I write a book. Thankfully, I send it off to my writing partner, Rachel Hauck, and she’s brutally and sweetly honest with me. And now I’m going to help you be brutally and sweetly honest with yourself by giving you a Super Secret Frasier First Chapter Checklist. These are things that you need to make sure you’re communicating in the first chapter. 1. Have you created sympathy for your character so we love them? 2. Have you shown us your character’s […]
Read the RestArchive | March, 2010
But I’m so broken inside…
Yesterday, we talked out the PLOT or EXTERNAL Obstacles (Why Nots) that keep our characters apart. The point of a great romance is for love to overcome the obstacles and triumph! So, without obstacles….well, there’s no story. I’ll say it again. YOU MUST HAVE EXTERNAL OBSTACLES! (Yes, that was shouting). Now that we have that settled…let’s turn to the Internal Reasons why we (and our characters) run from love. This is the easy part. We can all come up with a long list of the reasons why we are unloveable. Our sins, our flaws, or fears, our idiosyncrasies….you name it. It’s a wonder we don’t all live in an igloo. The problem with finding internal obstacles is often authors either; 1. Pick too many or… 2. Focus […]
Read the RestWhy can’t you love me, baby?
Last month we spent a lot of time on our hero and heroine – and why they fall in love. This month, as we ponder what goes into writing a romance, we’re going to talk about why they can’t fall in love. First, let’s talk about romance for a second…falling in love is amazing. Regardless of your age, when you find that one you love, it stirs an breathlessness, an awakening in us that our beloved would…well, love us. Because, frankly, now one but you know why he or she shouldn’t. Right? You think: if he or she only knew the truth, they go running. But, eventually they do find out the truth… And they stay. And that’s what makes true love even more breathtaking. Add to that […]
Read the Rest
