Best Erotic Romance and Erotic Novels of 2008
Paranormal/Fantasy/Sci-Fi Erotic Romance
UNDERCOVER Lauren Dane Heat (Dec.)
SEDUCED BY DARKNESS Delilah Devlin Avon Red (Apr.)
THE MARK OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN Joey W. Hill Heat (Feb.)
FULL CIRCLE Ann Jacobs Ellora's Cave (May)
ETERNAL DESIGNS Gracie C. McKeever Siren (Mar.)
ADDICTED Lydia Parks Aphrodisia (Sep.)
Erotic Romantic Suspense
FORBIDDEN FRUIT Eden Bradley Delta (Nov.)
RIDING WILD Jaci Burton Heat (Feb.)
SHE'S ON TOP Susan Lyons Aphrodisia (Apr.)
JADED Karin Tabke Pocket (Jun.)
Erotic Romance Historical
MIRAGE Monica Burns Samhain (Jan.)
CROSSED SWORDS Marianne LaCroix Ellora's Cave (Apr.)
ONE WICKED NIGHT Noelle Mack Aphrodisia (Jan.)
BLACK SILK Sharon Page Aphrodisia (May)
NATE Beth Williamson Samhain (Jan.)
Erotic Fiction
SWAP Jenesi Ash Heat (Sep.)
THE PEOPLE YOU KNOW,THE SEX THEY HAVE Aubrey Leatherwood Lyrical (Dec.)
SLEEPING WITH THE DEVIL Vanessa Marlow St. Martin's Griffin (Apr.)
WHIP APPEAL Méta Smith Pocket (Aug.)
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Romantic Times 2008 Reviewers Choice Awards Nominees - Historical
Best Historical Novels 2008
Historical Romance of the Year
SEDUCTION OF A PROPER GENTLEMAN Victoria Alexander Avon (Sep.)
SIMPLY PERFECT Mary Balogh Delacorte (Apr.)
TRAITOR'S KISS/LOVER'S KISS Mary Blayney Bantam (Nov.)
NEVER ROMANCE A RAKE Liz Carlyle Pocket (Aug.)
TO TASTE TEMPTATION Elizabeth Hoyt Forever (May)
SECRETS OF SURRENDER Madeline Hunter Dell (Jun.)
THE SEDUCTION OF AN UNKNOWN LADY Samantha James Avon (Apr.)
A DANGEROUS LOVE Brenda Joyce HQN (Apr.)
SEDUCE ME AT SUNRISE Lisa Kleypas St. Martin's (Oct.)
THE BOOK OF SCANDAL Julia London Pocket (Aug.)
THE BRIDE PRICE Anne Mallory Avon (Nov.)
First Historical Romance
THE SPYMASTER'S LADY Joanna Bourne Berkley Sensation (Jan.)
THE DUKE OF SHADOWS Meredith Duran Pocket Star (Apr.)
NIGHT FALLS DARKLY Kim Lenox Signet Eclipse (Oct.)
MISTRESS OF PLEASURE Delilah Marvelle Zebra (Sep.)
PRIVATE ARRANGEMENTS Sherry Thomas Bantam (Apr.)
Historical Love & Laughter
DESPERATELY SEEKING A DUKE Celeste Bradley St. Martin's (Mar.)
HOW TO PROPOSE TO A PRINCE Kathryn Caskie Avon (Mar.)
UNDER YOUR SPELL Lois Greiman Avon (Jun.)
THE TROUBLE WITH MOONLIGHT Donna MacMeans Berkley Sensation (Jun.)
American-Set Historical Romance
GUARDED HEART Jennifer Blake Mira (Feb.)
THE LONER Geralyn Dawson HQN (May)
A REASON TO SIN Maureen McKade Berkley Sensation (Mar.)
TALL, DARK AND TEXAN Jodi Thomas Jove (Nov.)
British Isle-Set Historical Romance
A LADY'S SECRET Jo Beverley Signet (Apr.)
THE WICKED WAYS OF A DUKE Laura Lee Guhrke Avon (Jan.)
IN BED WITH THE DEVIL Lorraine Heath Avon (Jul.)
THE DECADENT DUKE Virginia Henley Signet (Nov.)
DUCHESS BY NIGHT Eloisa James Avon (Jul.)
VEILED PASSIONS Tracy MacNish Zebra (Oct.)
THE CAPTIVE HEART Bertrice Small NAL (Oct.)
Regency-Set Historical Romance
TO WED A WICKED PRINCE Jane Feather Pocket Star (Apr.)
WICKED AS SIN Jillian Hunter Ballantine (Jul.)
LET SLEEPING ROGUES LIE Sabrina Jeffries Pocket (Mar.)
TO PLEASURE A LADY Nicole Jordan Ballantine (Feb.)
A BRIDE FOR HIS CONVENIENCE Edith Layton Avon (Dec.)
NO CHOICE BUT SURRENDER Johanna Lindsey Pocket (Jul.)
THE KISS Sophia Nash Avon (Mar.)
Scotland-Set Historical Romance
SHADOW MUSIC Julie Garwood Ballantine (Jan.)
WILD ANGEL Sasha Lord Signet Eclipse (Jan.)
IN THE HIGHLANDER'S BED Cathy Maxwell Avon (Feb.)
A HIGHLANDER NEVER SURRENDERS Pamela Quinn Forever (Aug.)
BORDER WEDDING Amanda Scott Forever (Mar.)
Historical Paranormal
TEMPTED BY THE NIGHT Elizabeth Boyle Avon (Sep.)
THE WIZARD'S DAUGHTER Catherine Coulter Jove (Jan.)
IMMORTAL WARRIOR Lisa Hendrix Berkley Sensation (Nov.)
MY IMMORTAL PROTECTOR Jen Holling Pocket (Mar.)
DARK EMBRACE Brenda Joyce HQN (Sep.)
PHANTOM Lindsay Randall Love Spell (Jun.)
MYSTIC RIDER Patricia Rice Signet Eclipse (Jul.)
THE SORCERESS OF BELMAIR Bertrice Small HQN (May)
Historical Vampire/Werewolf Romance
THE BLEEDING DUSK Colleen Gleason Signet Eclipse (Feb.)
UNDER THE BLOOD RED MOON Mina Hepsen Avon A (Oct.)
COME THE NIGHT Susan Krinard HQN (Oct.)
LET THE NIGHT BEGIN Kathryn Smith Avon (Jul.)
THE RAVENING Dawn Thompson Love Spell (Feb.)
Historical Romantic Adventure
THEFT OF SHADOWS Naomi Bellis Signet Eclipse (Feb.)
HER EVERY PLEASURE Gaelen Foley Ballantine (Apr.)
THE TREASURE Iris Johansen Bantam (Dec.)
TO SEDUCE A BRIDE Nicole Jordan Ballantine (Apr.)
THE PERILS OF PLEASURE Julie Anne Long Avon (Feb.)
PRISONER OF THE FLAMES Dawn MacTavish Leisure (Nov.)
SEDUCED BY A SPY Andrea Pickens Forever (Mar.)
Sensual Historical Romance
A ROGUE'S GAME Renee Bernard Pocket (May)
DON'T TEMPT ME Sylvia Day Brava (Apr.)
DOUBLE FANTASY Cheryl Holt St. Martin's (Mar.)
EXPLOSIVE Charlotte Mede Brava (Jan.) JUST FOR HER Katherine O'Neal Brava (Jul.)
Historical Fiction
THE DARK LANTERN Gerri Brightwell Crown (Mar.)
THE WINTER ROSE Jennifer Donnelly Hyperion (Jan.)
THE TSARINA'S DAUGHTER Carolly Erickson St. Martin's (Oct.)
PHYLLIDA AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF PHILANDER Ann Herendeen Harper (May)
THE WHISKEY REBELS David Liss Random House (Oct.)
Historical Biography
TUMBLEWEED Jane Candia Coleman Leisure (Jun.)
THE OTHER QUEEN Philippa Gregory Simon and Schuster (Sep.)
THE KING'S FAVORITE Susan Holloway Scott NAL (Jul.)
THE KING'S DAUGHTER Sandra Worth Berkley (Dec.)
Historical K.I.S.S. Hero
Trevelyn Deveridge DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS Emily Bryan Leisure (Mar.)
Harry Morant HIS CAPTIVE LADY Anne Gracie Berkley Sensation (Sep.)
General Merin 22 NIGHTS Linda Winstead Jones Berkley Sensation (Dec.)
Chance Morgan MAVERICK WILD Stacey Kayne Harlequin (Jan.)
Nicholas Ramsay THE MIDNIGHT MAN Charlotte Mede Brava (Aug.)
Major Harrison THE SCANDALOUS LIFE OF A TRUE LADY Barbara Metzger Signet Eclipse (Jun.)
Wyatt Yarbro THE RUSTLER Linda Lael Miller HQN (Oct.)
Gabriel MacBraedon THE NIGHT BEFORE THE WEDDING Debra Mullins Avon (Feb.)
Historical Romantic Mystery/Gothic
SEDUCTION BECOMES HER Shirlee Busbee Zebra (Jul.)
DARK TEMPTATION Allison Chase Signet Eclipse (Nov.)
CONFESSIONS AT MIDNIGHT Jacquie D'Alessandro Avon (Jan.)
AFTER THE KISS Suzanne Enoch Avon (Jul.)
WICKED INTENSIONS Lydia Joyce Signet Eclipse (Dec.)
WHERE THE HEART LEADS Stephanie Laurens Morrow (Feb.)
THE SEDUCTION OF THE CRIMSON ROSE Lauren Willig Dutton (Feb.)
Historical Romance of the Year
SEDUCTION OF A PROPER GENTLEMAN Victoria Alexander Avon (Sep.)
SIMPLY PERFECT Mary Balogh Delacorte (Apr.)
TRAITOR'S KISS/LOVER'S KISS Mary Blayney Bantam (Nov.)
NEVER ROMANCE A RAKE Liz Carlyle Pocket (Aug.)
TO TASTE TEMPTATION Elizabeth Hoyt Forever (May)
SECRETS OF SURRENDER Madeline Hunter Dell (Jun.)
THE SEDUCTION OF AN UNKNOWN LADY Samantha James Avon (Apr.)
A DANGEROUS LOVE Brenda Joyce HQN (Apr.)
SEDUCE ME AT SUNRISE Lisa Kleypas St. Martin's (Oct.)
THE BOOK OF SCANDAL Julia London Pocket (Aug.)
THE BRIDE PRICE Anne Mallory Avon (Nov.)
First Historical Romance
THE SPYMASTER'S LADY Joanna Bourne Berkley Sensation (Jan.)
THE DUKE OF SHADOWS Meredith Duran Pocket Star (Apr.)
NIGHT FALLS DARKLY Kim Lenox Signet Eclipse (Oct.)
MISTRESS OF PLEASURE Delilah Marvelle Zebra (Sep.)
PRIVATE ARRANGEMENTS Sherry Thomas Bantam (Apr.)
Historical Love & Laughter
DESPERATELY SEEKING A DUKE Celeste Bradley St. Martin's (Mar.)
HOW TO PROPOSE TO A PRINCE Kathryn Caskie Avon (Mar.)
UNDER YOUR SPELL Lois Greiman Avon (Jun.)
THE TROUBLE WITH MOONLIGHT Donna MacMeans Berkley Sensation (Jun.)
American-Set Historical Romance
GUARDED HEART Jennifer Blake Mira (Feb.)
THE LONER Geralyn Dawson HQN (May)
A REASON TO SIN Maureen McKade Berkley Sensation (Mar.)
TALL, DARK AND TEXAN Jodi Thomas Jove (Nov.)
British Isle-Set Historical Romance
A LADY'S SECRET Jo Beverley Signet (Apr.)
THE WICKED WAYS OF A DUKE Laura Lee Guhrke Avon (Jan.)
IN BED WITH THE DEVIL Lorraine Heath Avon (Jul.)
THE DECADENT DUKE Virginia Henley Signet (Nov.)
DUCHESS BY NIGHT Eloisa James Avon (Jul.)
VEILED PASSIONS Tracy MacNish Zebra (Oct.)
THE CAPTIVE HEART Bertrice Small NAL (Oct.)
Regency-Set Historical Romance
TO WED A WICKED PRINCE Jane Feather Pocket Star (Apr.)
WICKED AS SIN Jillian Hunter Ballantine (Jul.)
LET SLEEPING ROGUES LIE Sabrina Jeffries Pocket (Mar.)
TO PLEASURE A LADY Nicole Jordan Ballantine (Feb.)
A BRIDE FOR HIS CONVENIENCE Edith Layton Avon (Dec.)
NO CHOICE BUT SURRENDER Johanna Lindsey Pocket (Jul.)
THE KISS Sophia Nash Avon (Mar.)
Scotland-Set Historical Romance
SHADOW MUSIC Julie Garwood Ballantine (Jan.)
WILD ANGEL Sasha Lord Signet Eclipse (Jan.)
IN THE HIGHLANDER'S BED Cathy Maxwell Avon (Feb.)
A HIGHLANDER NEVER SURRENDERS Pamela Quinn Forever (Aug.)
BORDER WEDDING Amanda Scott Forever (Mar.)
Historical Paranormal
TEMPTED BY THE NIGHT Elizabeth Boyle Avon (Sep.)
THE WIZARD'S DAUGHTER Catherine Coulter Jove (Jan.)
IMMORTAL WARRIOR Lisa Hendrix Berkley Sensation (Nov.)
MY IMMORTAL PROTECTOR Jen Holling Pocket (Mar.)
DARK EMBRACE Brenda Joyce HQN (Sep.)
PHANTOM Lindsay Randall Love Spell (Jun.)
MYSTIC RIDER Patricia Rice Signet Eclipse (Jul.)
THE SORCERESS OF BELMAIR Bertrice Small HQN (May)
Historical Vampire/Werewolf Romance
THE BLEEDING DUSK Colleen Gleason Signet Eclipse (Feb.)
UNDER THE BLOOD RED MOON Mina Hepsen Avon A (Oct.)
COME THE NIGHT Susan Krinard HQN (Oct.)
LET THE NIGHT BEGIN Kathryn Smith Avon (Jul.)
THE RAVENING Dawn Thompson Love Spell (Feb.)
Historical Romantic Adventure
THEFT OF SHADOWS Naomi Bellis Signet Eclipse (Feb.)
HER EVERY PLEASURE Gaelen Foley Ballantine (Apr.)
THE TREASURE Iris Johansen Bantam (Dec.)
TO SEDUCE A BRIDE Nicole Jordan Ballantine (Apr.)
THE PERILS OF PLEASURE Julie Anne Long Avon (Feb.)
PRISONER OF THE FLAMES Dawn MacTavish Leisure (Nov.)
SEDUCED BY A SPY Andrea Pickens Forever (Mar.)
Sensual Historical Romance
A ROGUE'S GAME Renee Bernard Pocket (May)
DON'T TEMPT ME Sylvia Day Brava (Apr.)
DOUBLE FANTASY Cheryl Holt St. Martin's (Mar.)
EXPLOSIVE Charlotte Mede Brava (Jan.) JUST FOR HER Katherine O'Neal Brava (Jul.)
Historical Fiction
THE DARK LANTERN Gerri Brightwell Crown (Mar.)
THE WINTER ROSE Jennifer Donnelly Hyperion (Jan.)
THE TSARINA'S DAUGHTER Carolly Erickson St. Martin's (Oct.)
PHYLLIDA AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF PHILANDER Ann Herendeen Harper (May)
THE WHISKEY REBELS David Liss Random House (Oct.)
Historical Biography
TUMBLEWEED Jane Candia Coleman Leisure (Jun.)
THE OTHER QUEEN Philippa Gregory Simon and Schuster (Sep.)
THE KING'S FAVORITE Susan Holloway Scott NAL (Jul.)
THE KING'S DAUGHTER Sandra Worth Berkley (Dec.)
Historical K.I.S.S. Hero
Trevelyn Deveridge DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS Emily Bryan Leisure (Mar.)
Harry Morant HIS CAPTIVE LADY Anne Gracie Berkley Sensation (Sep.)
General Merin 22 NIGHTS Linda Winstead Jones Berkley Sensation (Dec.)
Chance Morgan MAVERICK WILD Stacey Kayne Harlequin (Jan.)
Nicholas Ramsay THE MIDNIGHT MAN Charlotte Mede Brava (Aug.)
Major Harrison THE SCANDALOUS LIFE OF A TRUE LADY Barbara Metzger Signet Eclipse (Jun.)
Wyatt Yarbro THE RUSTLER Linda Lael Miller HQN (Oct.)
Gabriel MacBraedon THE NIGHT BEFORE THE WEDDING Debra Mullins Avon (Feb.)
Historical Romantic Mystery/Gothic
SEDUCTION BECOMES HER Shirlee Busbee Zebra (Jul.)
DARK TEMPTATION Allison Chase Signet Eclipse (Nov.)
CONFESSIONS AT MIDNIGHT Jacquie D'Alessandro Avon (Jan.)
AFTER THE KISS Suzanne Enoch Avon (Jul.)
WICKED INTENSIONS Lydia Joyce Signet Eclipse (Dec.)
WHERE THE HEART LEADS Stephanie Laurens Morrow (Feb.)
THE SEDUCTION OF THE CRIMSON ROSE Lauren Willig Dutton (Feb.)
Romantic Times 2008 Reviewers Choice Awards Nominees - Career Acheivement Nominees
CareerAchievement Nominees
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Victoria Alexander
Sabrina Jeffries
Anne Mallory
Patricia Rice
HISTORICAL STORYTELLER OF THE YEAR
Celeste Bradley
Carol Finch
Susan Johnson
Paula Quinn
INNOVATIVE HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Lois Greiman
Lorraine Heath
Elizabeth Hoyt
Robin Schone
SERIES ROMANCE
Roz Denny Fox
Jillian Hart
Emilie Rose
Debra Salonen
SERIES ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Jessica Andersen
Linda Castillo
Linda Conrad
Julie Miller
Joanna Wayne
SERIES ROMANTIC ADVENTURE
Kylie Brant
Kathleen Creighton
Kay David
Sylvie Kurtz
Marilyn Pappano
SERIES ROMANCE LOVE & LAUGHTER
Susan Crosby
Lucy Gordon
Marion Lennox
Molly O'Keefe
Melanie Schuster
SERIES STORYTELLER OF THE YEAR
Leanne Banks
Jean Brashear
Jackie Braun
K.N./Ken Casper
Eve Gaddy
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Carly Phillips
Christie Ridgway
Vicki Lewis Thompson
Sherryl Woods
PARANORMAL ROMANCE
C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp
Nina Bangs
P.C. Cast
Katie MacAlister
URBAN FANTASY
Keri Arthur
Simon R. Green
Charlaine Harris
Kim Harrison
WOMEN'S FICTION
Barbara Taylor Bradford
Joy Fielding
Lorna Landvik
Nicholas Sparks
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Cherry Adair
Heather Graham
Tara Janzen
Carla Neggers
MYSTERY SERIES
Laura Childs
Joanne Fluke
Elizabeth Peters
Kate Wilhelm
FEMALE SLEUTH
Nevada Barr
Carolyn Hart
Alex Kava
Nancy Martin
SUSPENSE/THRILLER
Kay Hooper
J.D. Robb
James Rollins
Karen Rose
INSPIRATIONAL
Hannah Alexander
Terri Blackstock
Beverly Lewis
Lori Wick
AFRICAN-AMERICAN
A.C. Arthur
Leslie Esdaile
Melanie Schuster
Janice Sims
Jacquelin Thomas
Monday, November 17, 2008
Thinking Like a Writer
I had this epiphany today. I realized I have a habit of pulling myself out of a situation and assessing it as if I were a narrator. Of course, I spend much of my life narrating situations. In a big box store this morning, I watched a manager and his female underling walk the aisles. I listened as the manager explained why some items on a nearby shelf shouldn't be there. I watched the facial expressions of the woman, assessed how she felt about her boss, guessed at what she was thinking. By time I moved on, I had written an entire scenario for them in my head.
Then later at the dentist office as I waited for my daughter to have her teeth cleaned, I observed a family of three in the waiting room - mother, son and daughter - as they argued over who hadn't walked the dog that morning. I quickly summed up the relationship between the siblings, the parenting skills of the mother, as well as her marital situation.
When I stopped and laughed to myself at what I was doing, I realized it was something I've been doing for years. I fill in all the blanks of the countless people I encounter in the course of a day. I write their back stories!
Sure, some folks might characterize my behavior as a little weird, a bit on the intrusive side or even presumptuous, but writers get it. We don't find it strange when we hear someone say their characters have conversations in their head. We don't even lift an eyebrow when one of us discuss a villain as if he or she is a living, breathing person. Because to us, they are living and breathing. They are our creation, the flowers we've coaxed from the fertile soil of our imagination.
So rejoice if you find yourself the moderator between the voices in your head. Celebrate if you fill in the details of scenarios you observe amongst strangers. You're not crazy. You're just thinking like a writer.
Then later at the dentist office as I waited for my daughter to have her teeth cleaned, I observed a family of three in the waiting room - mother, son and daughter - as they argued over who hadn't walked the dog that morning. I quickly summed up the relationship between the siblings, the parenting skills of the mother, as well as her marital situation.
When I stopped and laughed to myself at what I was doing, I realized it was something I've been doing for years. I fill in all the blanks of the countless people I encounter in the course of a day. I write their back stories!
Sure, some folks might characterize my behavior as a little weird, a bit on the intrusive side or even presumptuous, but writers get it. We don't find it strange when we hear someone say their characters have conversations in their head. We don't even lift an eyebrow when one of us discuss a villain as if he or she is a living, breathing person. Because to us, they are living and breathing. They are our creation, the flowers we've coaxed from the fertile soil of our imagination.
So rejoice if you find yourself the moderator between the voices in your head. Celebrate if you fill in the details of scenarios you observe amongst strangers. You're not crazy. You're just thinking like a writer.
Monday, November 10, 2008
ROMANCE NOVEL CONTEST
"Men In Uniform" Romance Novel Contest with NAL Publishing editor, Becky Vinter
Hunky cops, firemen, FBI Agents, etc...historical, paranormal, contemporary, etc....it’s all good! :
::::Contest Rules:::
Entry Deadline: entries will be accepted January 3, 2009 -- February 28, 2009
Entry Length: 1000 word excerpt (computer count). Entries over 1000 words will be disqualified. This is a novel length (80k - 100k) contest. Entry length of the excerpt is 1000 words (computer count). Entries over 1000 words will be disqualified. Excerpt can be any part of the story as long as it follows the above theme. Excerpt must be from a new, not yet published, manuscript.
Heat Level: Steamy!
::::Contest Prizes::::
Top 10 entries will be read by NAL editor, Becky Vinter Entry with the most reader votes will be named "Reader's Choice" Becky Vinter will pick one entry to be named "Editor's Choice"
For more information see our website http://www.manicreaders.com/index.cfm?disp=authorContest
***permission to forward granted***
Hunky cops, firemen, FBI Agents, etc...historical, paranormal, contemporary, etc....it’s all good! :
::::Contest Rules:::
Entry Deadline: entries will be accepted January 3, 2009 -- February 28, 2009
Entry Length: 1000 word excerpt (computer count). Entries over 1000 words will be disqualified. This is a novel length (80k - 100k) contest. Entry length of the excerpt is 1000 words (computer count). Entries over 1000 words will be disqualified. Excerpt can be any part of the story as long as it follows the above theme. Excerpt must be from a new, not yet published, manuscript.
Heat Level: Steamy!
::::Contest Prizes::::
Top 10 entries will be read by NAL editor, Becky Vinter Entry with the most reader votes will be named "Reader's Choice" Becky Vinter will pick one entry to be named "Editor's Choice"
For more information see our website http://www.manicreaders.com/index.cfm?disp=authorContest
***permission to forward granted***
Monday, October 20, 2008
Lessons on Characterization
I had the pleasure recently to attend a workshop given by the great Alicia Rasley - author, editor and educator. She presented a program about using point of view to sharpen characterization and I learned a lot from it.
One thing that really stood out in mind dealt with how you write emotion into a story. Rather than say what the character's feelings are head on, come in through the side door. In other words, instead of writing that the deserted husband misses his wife, have him choke up when he realizes he's made enough coffee for two, or have him sniff the clothes she left behind and catch a whiff of her perfume. This made so much sense because it lets the reader experience the anguish and relate to the experience. Rather than TELLING them what the emotions are, it SHOWS them.
If you ever have the opportunity to attend one of Alicia's workshops, I'd highly recommend attending. You won't regret it.
One thing that really stood out in mind dealt with how you write emotion into a story. Rather than say what the character's feelings are head on, come in through the side door. In other words, instead of writing that the deserted husband misses his wife, have him choke up when he realizes he's made enough coffee for two, or have him sniff the clothes she left behind and catch a whiff of her perfume. This made so much sense because it lets the reader experience the anguish and relate to the experience. Rather than TELLING them what the emotions are, it SHOWS them.
If you ever have the opportunity to attend one of Alicia's workshops, I'd highly recommend attending. You won't regret it.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
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