Hi everyone. I am sorry I have been AWOL these days. I am working on a book that I am targeting to be done by the end of June. What makes it harder is I am still working on the overall plot of the book. So far I have 12 chapters plotted out of 18. Not too bad. I try to go with the flow of the story to see where it takes me, but I like to have a little of a road map to know where I want to basically go.
As I work on the basic structure of a book, I use a few books to help me make sure there is no slump in the middle, the action/tension stas high, and so on. I even use suggestions from books to build characters. Yeah, I like writing up a character worksheet. I like the GMC for each, but I also need the history, physical charateristic, etc. My two favorite books that help me when planning/plotting books are Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Deb Dixon and The Writers Brainstorming Kit by Pam McCutcheon.
So, who is a plotter, and who is a pantser? I think I am a bit of both as I get my best ideas as I go along.
Thanks, Mari, for sharing your blog with me today.
If there was a support group for romance readers, I’d be a lifetime member. Before publishing my first book — Open Your Heart — in 2002 under Black Entertainment (BET) Books, I was (and still am) a voracious reader of romance fiction. I have a long list of favorite, auto-buy authors and love discovering new ones.
Sweeping vistas of mountains, ranches, and beaches are among my favorite settings. Strong, silent types of the male species, or an alpha male who knows what he wants and takes it can make my knees weak. Strong heroines, with a bit of a sense of humor, and a touch of sensitivity have my vote. Then I look forward to climbing into the roller coaster to rise and fall with the unfolding drama in the characters’ lives. Although I know the ending - happy ever after rules — getting there is all of the fun. And with each book I read, falling in love is an art form that is addictive and satisfying.
Taking a couple elements from my life: sorority life and having a college sweetheart, I added guilt, bitterness, hurt, redemption, loyalty like spices to a brew. My April release - No One But You — from Harlequin’s Kimani Romance was born.
Blurb: In college, Jackson Thomas and Sarafina Lovell were joined at the hip—soul mates. Right up until the day he chose his family business over her! Now Jackson is back, and Sara plans to give him one sultry goodbye kiss to prove she’s moved on—until his sizzling kiss awakens memories of passion too hot to ignore.…Jackson knows he was a fool to let Sara go, and he intends to win her back. To convince her he is still worthy of her love, she’ll need a lot of sweet, sensual loving…and he’ll need a little help from her friends.
Excerpt:
“I know this isn’t the place to talk about us.” Jackson held up his hand. “I meant that I’d like to talk about me.” He exhaled heavily, shoving his hands into his pocket. “This isn’t coming out right. I see you and lose my concentration. I want to hear how you’re doing. I’d like to know if you’ve followed any of those dreams you shared.”
“Sounds like you want to know if I survived you?”
“Yes,” Jackson answered.
Sara chewed on the corner of her mouth. Her heart pounded, her palms were moist, her emotions stayed in a whirl. When he’d rejected her, she’d been naïve, impulsive, and gullible.
One thing she learned fast to reject her old traits, too. Being the victim could become habitual. She didn’t want to be a repeat offender with Jackson. But darn it, he exuded a sensuality that lessened her inhibitions, like now.
Cupping his jaw, she took advantage of his mouth slack from shock to kiss him, bold, unapologetic and more than a little voracious. His response came back swift and ready to take charge, but she wasn’t finished making her mark. His wide mouth was hers to tame. When his hand slipped under her blouse and touched the small of her back, the moment sparked sanity to the surface.
Sara pushed him away as if afraid they’d become unnaturally stuck. “Yeah, I’d say that I’ve survived and I’m over you. Now you can have that memory to hold onto.” She spun on her heel and headed back to her party. A cup of ice should cool her lips that were hot for more contact with Jackson’s mouth. She was at a loss on what to do for the rest of her body that yearned for Jackson’s touch.
Jackson couldn’t move his legs, even if he wanted. She had jacked up his system into overload. If he’d been able to predict what she’d intended, she’d still be locked in his embrace.
Sara had been his college sweetheart. They’d pledged to love each other for the rest of their lives. Little did he know that he’d have to make the toughest decision that resulted in their relationship being torn beyond repair. All along he knew he’d made the biggest mistake.
He touched his mouth where the memory of the kiss lingered. “It’s not over, Sara. I want back in your life.”
Michelle Monkou
http://michellemonkou.blogspot.com
http://myspace.com/michellemonkou
Tomorrow join Kimani Romance author, Michelle Monkou [site] here on my blog for the official Guest Blogger Tuesday! Michelle is a friend of mine from the Jacksonville, Florida RWA chapter, First Coast Romance Writers. She is a classy woman (classy is THE way to describe her) and I enjoy hearing her speak every time she comes to do a workshop for us.
Michelle’s bio:
“Michelle Monkou became a world traveler at three years old when she left her birthplace of London, England and moved to Guyana, South America. She then moved to the United States as a young teen. An avid reader, mixed with her cultural experiences, set the tone for a vivid imagination. It wasn’t long before the stories in her head became stories on paper.
In the middle of writing romantic fiction, she added a Master’s of International Business to her Bachelor’s in English. Michelle was nominated for the 2003 Emma Award for Favorite New Author for her debut novel — Open Your Heart. Her second book - Finders Keepers - earned Top Pick by the Romantic Times Bookclub magazine. Her third book, a Kwanzaa-themed story - Making Promises - was featured as a holiday pick by the Baltimore Sun. Her recent April release - Island Rendezvous garnered rave reviews, which also happens to be a sequel to Finders Keepers.
Since September ‘06, Michelle became part of the launch of Harlequin’s new African American romance line, Kimani Romance. She launched her three-book series about the Masterson family and will debut a new five-book series, Ladies of Distinction, with No One But You and Gamble On Love due for release in April and October 2008.”
I hope everyone had a wonderful (and safe) Memorial Day. I spent the day with my family. Well, okay, I cleaned a bathroom THEN relaxed with the family. I am ending the day watching my favorite WWII movie, The Longest Day. It is a classic. Thank you to the men and women who fought for our freedom and gave their lives in the line of duty.
May 21 - Anya Howard’s blog at http://anyahoward.blogspot.com/
Check out my top five action heroes/actors!
May 22 - Enter the Danger Zone at http://www.dangerzoneauthors.com
I went ahead and did a Thursday Thirteen on 13 Cool Action Heroes and Heroines.
CURRENTLY READING: