Real life has thrown me an incredible curve ball over the weekend (some good news some bad news) and I have to swing the bat. Ninety miles an hour isn't the way I usually play, but I remember how to do it. I might not like playing so fast anymore, and I might be a little rusty, but when it comes to taking an at bat, I'm all in. I can still swing for the fences. We'll see how it all shakes out.
So, I'm off this blog again. I may or may not occasionally post once a month here at the Piedmont Writer. Who knows. However, I have pre-written posts for
Anne Gallagher Regency Romance Writer . I post on Sunday for readers and Wednesday for writers
And
Robynne Rand Author -- The Other Side of Providence This is my contemporary romance/women's fiction author blog. So Yvonne, if you want to discuss "Kate" over a drink, that's where I'll be. I'm usually there on Thursdays.
I hope you all have a great summer. I'll see you when I do.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
Friday's at the Piedmont Grille
On Today's Menu -- Nicki Elson
We're just going to dive right in today. Lots to talk about.
1) When I read Three Daves (which I loved BTW), I saw that each chapter had part of a scripture attached
to it. I thought it was interesting, but didn't quite "get it." I found though, that this is considered "inspirational". Would you consider yourself an "inspirational" writer? (Because I don't. I mean, not that you're not inspirational, it's just that to me, you're a writer of women's fiction/romance, inspiration notwithstanding.)
I’m very happy you loved it. The story behind the Psalms at the end of the chapters is that while I was writing Three Daves, I came across a Psalm that made me think of a particular scene. After that, I thought it would be fun to identify a verse that related to each chapter, so I did. In some cases the connection between the scripture and the chapter are quite strong, in others, I’ll admit, I was stretching. But one of the coolest things about the Bible is that you can read it again and again and get something different out of it every time, depending what you’re going through in this life at that moment. I began the search as a private exercise, but since I got something out of examining the scripture from the story’s angle, I thought others might too, so I left the Psalms in when I submitted for publication—but I purposely set them off from the rest of the text so that readers who chose to could simply skip past them.
Other readers have expressed mild confusion about the inclusion of the verses, but enough people have told me that they really enjoyed reading and pondering each one that I’m glad I was able to keep them in. I was half-prepared for the publisher to tell me they had to go, which would’ve made me sad, but I also would’ve been okay with it because they’re not story-essential and I understand the eyebrows they raise. But not one editor along the way ever suggested that they go, so I guess they were meant to be there.
Okay, to finally answer your question—no, I don’t consider myself an “inspirational” writer. It’s only natural that my Christian worldview will affect what I write, but like you said, I write women’s fiction/romance, period.
2) Your new book DIVINE TEMPTATION has been described as "edgy inspirational". Okay so what does THAT mean?
Hehe, um, I think it means that there are a group of authors who don’t quite fit the strict Christian Fiction genre, but they’re close, and so they’ve made up a whole new category. I was led to it when my publicist asked me to search out Christian Fiction review sites. I knew that category wasn’t right for my book, so I was very happy when my searching led me to this Edgy Inspirational sub-genre, which allows the characters more leeway in the sinning department.
In my opinion, Divine Temptation fits in the Edgy Inspirational category, though some might say it teeters on the edge of edgy. Faith is present via Maggie’s relationship with the angel and her job at the church, but the focus of the story is on her struggle with things like life after divorce, resentfulness, an inability to trust, and not least, lust—sometimes she loses those battles, and sometimes the loss leads to dark consequences.
3) I'm dying to know how you came up with this idea of an angel in Maggie's bed. Sure, we've all dreamed of coming home and finding the perfect man, but this seems a bit...wild. Where did you find this idea? (Because I so love it.)
Yeah, I’ve raised a few eyebrows with this one too. Well, the first spark of inspiration was to have a supernatural white-knightish type inserted into the life of a mature, experienced woman (i.e. not a swoony teenager), and since my natural bent is toward writing reality, I chose a being that I believe truly exists, and so we arrive at an angel. Plus, casting him as a heavenly angel most definitely kicked up the “forbidden love” factor. It’s the opposite of all the bad boy, alpha male stories, but to me, a good boy can be every bit as enticing, in many ways more so because he appeals to more than just the libido.
Great stuff this. Gives me a few ideas of my own...
4) And trying not to give any spoilers, (but I've read some reviews) there is somewhat of a clash between good and evil...was that a natural extension because you're writing about an angel? Or did it just hit you one day?
It was a natural extension. Nothing about this story really just came along and hit me. It lived in my head for years, mutating, with new twists growing and winding their way through the storyline. Now that I’m thinking back to the very beginnings, what ended up being Divine Temptation is actually the coming together of two different ideas—one being the angelic white knight idea described above, and the other being the notion that evil is alive and thriving on this Earth, even under the immaculate surface of manicured suburbia. The seeds of this second idea came while doing a study on Death by Suburb by Dave L.Goetz
5) And because we all know you're an 80's girl, who was your musical inspiration while writing this novel?
You know me well. While writing Divine Temptation, a few songs came along and smacked me in the face as perfect for the dream soundtrack, like “Perfect” performed by Smashing Pumpkins (Maggie & her ex-husband Carl’s theme) and “Something Beautiful” performed by Needtobreathe (Magge & Evan’s theme and also her & God's). Now that you’re talkin’ 80s, however, how can I not offer up “Just Like Heaven” performed by The Cure as the lead track? It's got a nice blend of happy, longing, and dark, which I think fits the story well.
Thanks for having me over, Anne! I greatly enjoy our discussions.
Thanks for being here Nicki! Great time as usual.
You can find Nicki at her website below, and her books are linked.
Website: http://nickielson.com/
Three Daves:
Divine Temptation:
Anne Gallagher (c) 2013
We're just going to dive right in today. Lots to talk about.
1) When I read Three Daves (which I loved BTW), I saw that each chapter had part of a scripture attached
to it. I thought it was interesting, but didn't quite "get it." I found though, that this is considered "inspirational". Would you consider yourself an "inspirational" writer? (Because I don't. I mean, not that you're not inspirational, it's just that to me, you're a writer of women's fiction/romance, inspiration notwithstanding.)
I’m very happy you loved it. The story behind the Psalms at the end of the chapters is that while I was writing Three Daves, I came across a Psalm that made me think of a particular scene. After that, I thought it would be fun to identify a verse that related to each chapter, so I did. In some cases the connection between the scripture and the chapter are quite strong, in others, I’ll admit, I was stretching. But one of the coolest things about the Bible is that you can read it again and again and get something different out of it every time, depending what you’re going through in this life at that moment. I began the search as a private exercise, but since I got something out of examining the scripture from the story’s angle, I thought others might too, so I left the Psalms in when I submitted for publication—but I purposely set them off from the rest of the text so that readers who chose to could simply skip past them.Other readers have expressed mild confusion about the inclusion of the verses, but enough people have told me that they really enjoyed reading and pondering each one that I’m glad I was able to keep them in. I was half-prepared for the publisher to tell me they had to go, which would’ve made me sad, but I also would’ve been okay with it because they’re not story-essential and I understand the eyebrows they raise. But not one editor along the way ever suggested that they go, so I guess they were meant to be there.
Okay, to finally answer your question—no, I don’t consider myself an “inspirational” writer. It’s only natural that my Christian worldview will affect what I write, but like you said, I write women’s fiction/romance, period.
2) Your new book DIVINE TEMPTATION has been described as "edgy inspirational". Okay so what does THAT mean?
Hehe, um, I think it means that there are a group of authors who don’t quite fit the strict Christian Fiction genre, but they’re close, and so they’ve made up a whole new category. I was led to it when my publicist asked me to search out Christian Fiction review sites. I knew that category wasn’t right for my book, so I was very happy when my searching led me to this Edgy Inspirational sub-genre, which allows the characters more leeway in the sinning department.
In my opinion, Divine Temptation fits in the Edgy Inspirational category, though some might say it teeters on the edge of edgy. Faith is present via Maggie’s relationship with the angel and her job at the church, but the focus of the story is on her struggle with things like life after divorce, resentfulness, an inability to trust, and not least, lust—sometimes she loses those battles, and sometimes the loss leads to dark consequences.
3) I'm dying to know how you came up with this idea of an angel in Maggie's bed. Sure, we've all dreamed of coming home and finding the perfect man, but this seems a bit...wild. Where did you find this idea? (Because I so love it.)
Yeah, I’ve raised a few eyebrows with this one too. Well, the first spark of inspiration was to have a supernatural white-knightish type inserted into the life of a mature, experienced woman (i.e. not a swoony teenager), and since my natural bent is toward writing reality, I chose a being that I believe truly exists, and so we arrive at an angel. Plus, casting him as a heavenly angel most definitely kicked up the “forbidden love” factor. It’s the opposite of all the bad boy, alpha male stories, but to me, a good boy can be every bit as enticing, in many ways more so because he appeals to more than just the libido.
Great stuff this. Gives me a few ideas of my own...
4) And trying not to give any spoilers, (but I've read some reviews) there is somewhat of a clash between good and evil...was that a natural extension because you're writing about an angel? Or did it just hit you one day?
It was a natural extension. Nothing about this story really just came along and hit me. It lived in my head for years, mutating, with new twists growing and winding their way through the storyline. Now that I’m thinking back to the very beginnings, what ended up being Divine Temptation is actually the coming together of two different ideas—one being the angelic white knight idea described above, and the other being the notion that evil is alive and thriving on this Earth, even under the immaculate surface of manicured suburbia. The seeds of this second idea came while doing a study on Death by Suburb by Dave L.Goetz
5) And because we all know you're an 80's girl, who was your musical inspiration while writing this novel?
You know me well. While writing Divine Temptation, a few songs came along and smacked me in the face as perfect for the dream soundtrack, like “Perfect” performed by Smashing Pumpkins (Maggie & her ex-husband Carl’s theme) and “Something Beautiful” performed by Needtobreathe (Magge & Evan’s theme and also her & God's). Now that you’re talkin’ 80s, however, how can I not offer up “Just Like Heaven” performed by The Cure as the lead track? It's got a nice blend of happy, longing, and dark, which I think fits the story well.
Thanks for having me over, Anne! I greatly enjoy our discussions.
Thanks for being here Nicki! Great time as usual.
You can find Nicki at her website below, and her books are linked.
Website: http://nickielson.com/
Three Daves:
Divine Temptation:
Anne Gallagher (c) 2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Themes in Writing
To be quite honest, I have no idea what this is. I was told once I had a lovely theme running through THE LADY'S FATE, but until she pointed it out to me, I had no clue I'd even written one.
I'm presuming a theme is a recurring item, or something, that keeps showing up in the book. Let's go with that for the time being. (I'm too tired to look it up and then get bogged down in some scholary discussion.)
While I've been away, my latest character Kate, has come knocking on my door. Which is nice. At least I know who I'm going to be working with for the next little while. I know how the story starts, I know where it goes. Still not quite sure how it ends yet, but that's another post.
Anyway, while Kate and I have been schmoozing about her story, something clicked in my head, not like a light bulb, more like an explosion. I always knew Kate had a somewhat troubled childhood, but I didn't know why, until (as I was semi-plotting/outlining) I saw her sitting on the couch thumbing through a photograph album. Kind of the same way Aunt Fortuna did in REMEMBERING YOU.
Where Aunt Fortuna was looking at her life in comparison to what she would leave behind, Kate is looking at her childhood to see where it would take her. And that is where my explosion happened.
See, Kate's father was killed in a mill fire (he was Captain of the Fire Dept.) and there are pieces of her childhood that elude her. What she finds in the photograph album were the pieces. And that, my friends, is the revelation! Ta Da!
I guess this is my theme then -- photographs. I don't know if it's going to be in all my women's fiction, but I know when I look at photographs, I find out things about myself and my past that I never really thought about before. It's a good mirror.
Tell me -- Do you use themes in your writing? Do you know what they are?
I'm presuming a theme is a recurring item, or something, that keeps showing up in the book. Let's go with that for the time being. (I'm too tired to look it up and then get bogged down in some scholary discussion.)
While I've been away, my latest character Kate, has come knocking on my door. Which is nice. At least I know who I'm going to be working with for the next little while. I know how the story starts, I know where it goes. Still not quite sure how it ends yet, but that's another post.
Anyway, while Kate and I have been schmoozing about her story, something clicked in my head, not like a light bulb, more like an explosion. I always knew Kate had a somewhat troubled childhood, but I didn't know why, until (as I was semi-plotting/outlining) I saw her sitting on the couch thumbing through a photograph album. Kind of the same way Aunt Fortuna did in REMEMBERING YOU.
Where Aunt Fortuna was looking at her life in comparison to what she would leave behind, Kate is looking at her childhood to see where it would take her. And that is where my explosion happened.
See, Kate's father was killed in a mill fire (he was Captain of the Fire Dept.) and there are pieces of her childhood that elude her. What she finds in the photograph album were the pieces. And that, my friends, is the revelation! Ta Da!
I guess this is my theme then -- photographs. I don't know if it's going to be in all my women's fiction, but I know when I look at photographs, I find out things about myself and my past that I never really thought about before. It's a good mirror.
Tell me -- Do you use themes in your writing? Do you know what they are?
Monday, April 22, 2013
Happy Birthday to ME!
Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday dear Anne! Happy Birthday to me!
This birthday is a milestone, and a mood stabilizer for sure. 51. Yup. 51. I really can't believe it myself. How did I ever get to be this old? My only consolation is that the 50's are supposed to be the new 30's. Which is nice. I liked being in my 30's. Well, my early 30's anyway. I was hot!
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change anything in my life, because I wouldn't be where I am today. And the Monster is the prize at the end of my rainbow. So, in retrospect, I would never change it anyway.
However, there are several things I would have done differently if I could. I would have THOUGHT about the consequences of my actions BEFORE jumping blindly in with both feet. I would have been kinder. I would have looked at the future instead of only being in the moment. Be that as it may, there is no magic wand, no fairy god-mother to "poof" my mistakes away. And besides, mistakes are what make you who you are. And in my case, great fodder for my books.
During my writing break, I've been thinking about my new main character Kate, a lot. (Romantic women's fiction) Who she is, who her family is, what she wants, what's she's going to do about the predicament I've placed her in. If I'd lived a more boring and sedate life, lived by societal rules and been the person my parents wanted me to be, Kate wouldn't have the plot line she does now.
But because of my "wild life" (oh, yes, I was a wild child. Remember I grew up in the late 70's early 80's) I've had my share of oh-my-God-that-episode-was-something-you-could-only-read-about-in-a-novel moments. If I wrote a memoir, people would think it was fiction. They would say "She couldn't have done THAT!" But yes, yes I could have and did. (Did I ever tell you about the gun-fight I walked into the middle of at the Silver Dollar Casino in Nevada? True story.)
And now Kate gets to live some of those episodes. (Not the gun-fight, I'm saving that for someone else.) The same way that Genna lived some of my episodes in Remembering You. Watered-down versions from those I've experienced. I mean, I can't have people suing me can I? (My sister-n-law for one.)
Tell me -- How much of your "real life" do you put in your stories? Would people believe you if you told them some of your "episodes" from your "wild child" days? Were you a "wild child"? When's your birthday?
Anne Gallagher (c) 2013
This birthday is a milestone, and a mood stabilizer for sure. 51. Yup. 51. I really can't believe it myself. How did I ever get to be this old? My only consolation is that the 50's are supposed to be the new 30's. Which is nice. I liked being in my 30's. Well, my early 30's anyway. I was hot!
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change anything in my life, because I wouldn't be where I am today. And the Monster is the prize at the end of my rainbow. So, in retrospect, I would never change it anyway.
However, there are several things I would have done differently if I could. I would have THOUGHT about the consequences of my actions BEFORE jumping blindly in with both feet. I would have been kinder. I would have looked at the future instead of only being in the moment. Be that as it may, there is no magic wand, no fairy god-mother to "poof" my mistakes away. And besides, mistakes are what make you who you are. And in my case, great fodder for my books.
During my writing break, I've been thinking about my new main character Kate, a lot. (Romantic women's fiction) Who she is, who her family is, what she wants, what's she's going to do about the predicament I've placed her in. If I'd lived a more boring and sedate life, lived by societal rules and been the person my parents wanted me to be, Kate wouldn't have the plot line she does now.
But because of my "wild life" (oh, yes, I was a wild child. Remember I grew up in the late 70's early 80's) I've had my share of oh-my-God-that-episode-was-something-you-could-only-read-about-in-a-novel moments. If I wrote a memoir, people would think it was fiction. They would say "She couldn't have done THAT!" But yes, yes I could have and did. (Did I ever tell you about the gun-fight I walked into the middle of at the Silver Dollar Casino in Nevada? True story.)
And now Kate gets to live some of those episodes. (Not the gun-fight, I'm saving that for someone else.) The same way that Genna lived some of my episodes in Remembering You. Watered-down versions from those I've experienced. I mean, I can't have people suing me can I? (My sister-n-law for one.)
Tell me -- How much of your "real life" do you put in your stories? Would people believe you if you told them some of your "episodes" from your "wild child" days? Were you a "wild child"? When's your birthday?
Anne Gallagher (c) 2013
Friday, April 19, 2013
Friday's at the Piedmont Grille
On Today's Menu -- Linda Grimes
If you don't know Linda, she's the lady who has pictures of camels on her blog every Wednesday. If you do
know Linda, she writes some pretty wild urban fantasy. She graciously agreed to an interview, so let's see what she has to say.
.jpg)
As for other genres…well, I'm currently polishing up a
paranormal suspense (definitely not
ha-ha funny like the Ciel Halligan books), and I've just begun what I think will be a thriller. An idea that I
love struck me out of the blue, and I'm running with it. We'll see where it
leads me.
If you don't know Linda, she's the lady who has pictures of camels on her blog every Wednesday. If you doknow Linda, she writes some pretty wild urban fantasy. She graciously agreed to an interview, so let's see what she has to say.
1) Ciel, your main character, is an "aura
adapter" meaning she can change into whomever she wants. As a former
actress, you know what it's like to step into a different role for
6-8 weeks at a time, and become "somebody else". Did you take that
into consideration when creating Ciel's character?
My acting background certainly contributed to my propensity
for writing characters who become other people. I guess being just one person
has never been enough for me, and acting was a great way to "be"
someone other than myself without, you know, going the actual multiple-personality
route.
I do like to experience all kinds of personalities—to really
get to know other people (the fictional ones, anyway). Preferably from the inside out, as you can
when acting or writing. People are fascinating creatures. When I write, I get
to explore them to my heart's content. In a way, writers are the ultimate
"aura adaptors."
2) Quick Fix, (slated for Aug. 2013 release) is a sequel.
When you began writing, had you envisioned a sequel, or was this idea from
someone else? Are Ciel and the "FIX" books going to become a
series?
As soon as I neared the end of In a Fix, I knew there were more stories to tell about Ciel and her
cohorts. Working on Quick Fix kept me
busy (and sane) while I was looking for an agent, and again while my agent was
trying to sell In a Fix. I was
halfway through writing Quick Fix
when Tor bought both books. (Moral of the story: Don't be afraid to start a
second book before the first one sells.)
Tor is calling the books "an original urban fantasy
series," so I'm hoping that means they'll want more. (Well, what I'm
really hoping is that readers will want more, because engaging the readers is
what writing is all about.)
3) Ciel is such an exciting character -- do you have dreams
Hollywood will think so too? (Shades of Scott Bakula in Quantum Leap
come to mind.)
Thank you! I'm glad you like Ciel—she's a kick to write.
It would be cool
if Hollywood came knocking. A TV series similar Quantum Leap would be ideal, I think, because of the episodic
nature of Ciel's adventures. No word yet on any nibbles from that arena, but
I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
4) As a writer, you must have a process. Do you outline?
Pantster? Notes? Spreadsheets?
I used to write completely by the seat of my pants, but I'd
say I'm maybe five to ten percent plotter now. Due to the nature of writing a
series, I find a teensy bit of organization is essential for continuity. Alas. But
mainly I still like to sit in front of my laptop, fingers poised on the
keyboard, and wait for the characters to start talking. Frankly, I'd rather my
subconscious take care of the plotting while I'm doing other things, and then
surprise me while I'm tapping away. I like surprises.
5) I don't know which genre to classify your writing --
sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal -- but the question is, do you have plans to write in
another? Or are you going to stick with what you know, and obviously love?
The Ciel Halligan series is classified as urban fantasy.
Because humor plays such a large role in my books, I call them "light
urban fantasy" (aka LUF—don't you just luf
it, dahling? *grin*). They're not as dark as the majority of UF books, so I
like to make the distinction. I wouldn't want readers to buy the books thinking
they're getting blood and guts, only to wind up with giggles instead. Not that
there isn't plenty of action and danger, but I tend to see the humorous side of
the even tensest situations. Plus, I like the juxtaposition of conflicting
emotional reactions—I think the contrast heightens the experience.
.jpg)
As for other genres…well, I'm currently polishing up a
paranormal suspense (definitely not
ha-ha funny like the Ciel Halligan books), and I've just begun what I think will be a thriller. An idea that I
love struck me out of the blue, and I'm running with it. We'll see where it
leads me.
Gaah. Which I
suppose, when you count the third Ciel Halligan book, means I'm working on three
novels right now. And here I suck at multitasking… Watch out—my head might
explode. Better stand back out of the splash zone. ;)
Thanks so much for having me as a guest, Anne! I love
spending time here at the Piedmont Grill.
And thank you so much for being here. It's great to read about other genres!
Linda grew up in Texas, where she rode horses, embarrassed herself onstage a lot, and taught teenagers they'd have to learn the rules of English before they could get away with breaking them for creativity's sake. She currently resides in Virginia with her husband.
(Quick Fix is slated for an August 2013 release.)
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Complacency in Our Reading
On Monday I talked about how some New York authors have become complacent in their writing. Today, I'd like to discuss when we become complacent in our reading. Or rather, how I became complacent in my reading.
When I was a kid, we had 3 television stations. No cable, no DVD, no VCR. No cell phones, no game-boys or Wii. When my parents bought the beach house, they decided they weren't even going to allow us a tv. So what was there for us kids to do?
Well, my brothers had friends in the village (there were no girls my age) so there was nothing for me to do BUT read. And read I did. Anything I could get my hands on. In the beginning it was always about horses. Misty of Chincoteague, Black Beauty, National Velvet. Then one of my mother's friends left a Harlequin romance behind The Honey is Bitter by Violet Winspear, and I was hooked on romance.
Soon after that I found what is now known as a bodice-ripper, about a Scottish Highlander and his lass. And thus began my love affair with historical romance. For over twenty years, that was all I read. Okay, that was MAINLY what I read. I delved into poetry for a bit because I am a classic romanticist, but for the most part I was totally into historical romance. Transported in time and place, I was all in.
After I graduated high school and began living at the beach house all year round, I worked two, sometimes, three jobs, but I always managed to have some time in the afternoons off -- to lay on the beach, get a great tan, and read my lurid love stories.
So from 1976 until about 2004 (28 years for those who don't do math) New York pubbed romance writers of the historical genre were all I read. Pretty sad, huh? Over those decades, I would say I accumulated about 10,000 books under my belt.
When I started writing, agents, bloggers, big names in the biz, would say "Familiarize yourself with your genre -- Read what's out there -- Get a feel for what's publishing now" Okay, but I already did that. So much so, I felt I was drowning in it. And I also knew, that when I began writing, I didn't want to be like all those other writers. I wanted to write what I wanted to read and no one was writing it, so I decided to do that instead.
In the last couple of years, I've branched out of my genre and started reading things that wouldn't have ever been on my radar when I was younger -- literary fiction, mystery, thriller, women's fiction. This summer I want to dive into some classics.
These days, I don't read nearly even one tenth of what I used to. (Back at the beach house, I could get through a book a day.) I think now if I get through a book a month I'm doing something. But that, in turn, has made me very selective about what I reach for.
Tell me -- What do you read? Do you stay strictly in your genre? Or do you branch out? Do you not read anything in your genre because you're afraid of finding out your plot has already been done? (Truthfully, this is one of the reasons I don't read in my genre very much anymore.)
I've been working in the yard this week trying to get most everything done before it gets too hot. By the time I get home, I'm on the couch. I do read your comments and your posts, but sorry to say, I just don't have the energy to comment.
Anne Gallagher (c) 2013
When I was a kid, we had 3 television stations. No cable, no DVD, no VCR. No cell phones, no game-boys or Wii. When my parents bought the beach house, they decided they weren't even going to allow us a tv. So what was there for us kids to do?
Well, my brothers had friends in the village (there were no girls my age) so there was nothing for me to do BUT read. And read I did. Anything I could get my hands on. In the beginning it was always about horses. Misty of Chincoteague, Black Beauty, National Velvet. Then one of my mother's friends left a Harlequin romance behind The Honey is Bitter by Violet Winspear, and I was hooked on romance.
Soon after that I found what is now known as a bodice-ripper, about a Scottish Highlander and his lass. And thus began my love affair with historical romance. For over twenty years, that was all I read. Okay, that was MAINLY what I read. I delved into poetry for a bit because I am a classic romanticist, but for the most part I was totally into historical romance. Transported in time and place, I was all in.
After I graduated high school and began living at the beach house all year round, I worked two, sometimes, three jobs, but I always managed to have some time in the afternoons off -- to lay on the beach, get a great tan, and read my lurid love stories.
So from 1976 until about 2004 (28 years for those who don't do math) New York pubbed romance writers of the historical genre were all I read. Pretty sad, huh? Over those decades, I would say I accumulated about 10,000 books under my belt.
When I started writing, agents, bloggers, big names in the biz, would say "Familiarize yourself with your genre -- Read what's out there -- Get a feel for what's publishing now" Okay, but I already did that. So much so, I felt I was drowning in it. And I also knew, that when I began writing, I didn't want to be like all those other writers. I wanted to write what I wanted to read and no one was writing it, so I decided to do that instead.
In the last couple of years, I've branched out of my genre and started reading things that wouldn't have ever been on my radar when I was younger -- literary fiction, mystery, thriller, women's fiction. This summer I want to dive into some classics.
These days, I don't read nearly even one tenth of what I used to. (Back at the beach house, I could get through a book a day.) I think now if I get through a book a month I'm doing something. But that, in turn, has made me very selective about what I reach for.
Tell me -- What do you read? Do you stay strictly in your genre? Or do you branch out? Do you not read anything in your genre because you're afraid of finding out your plot has already been done? (Truthfully, this is one of the reasons I don't read in my genre very much anymore.)
I've been working in the yard this week trying to get most everything done before it gets too hot. By the time I get home, I'm on the couch. I do read your comments and your posts, but sorry to say, I just don't have the energy to comment.
Anne Gallagher (c) 2013
Monday, April 15, 2013
Complacency in Our Writing
Good morning. As you all know I've stopped writing for awhile. Last year's writing/publishing frenzy has left me blocked, which may or may not be a good thing. We'll see how it goes.
But, because I haven't been writing, my brain has been left to rattle around in my cranium with nothing to focus on, so it wanders to and fro in its own little world. Last week, I happened to find an old book I had lying around that I hadn't read. Mind you, it was published in 2009, so it wasn't that old, but still.
(Funny how it takes New York almost 18 months to publish something, and then in 6 months it's already in the Dollar Store.)
Anyway, as I read this book, my little brain kept urging me to throw it across the room. It was an historical romance, by a very famous New York published writer. And I had read almost everything she's ever written, so I was dismayed when I got to the end and realized I SHOULD have thrown it across the room. (It ended up in the yard sale.)
I wondered then, why on God's good green earth, would her agent, editor, publisher, BFF, and mother, allow her to publish something that was just so ... dare I say it .... bleh. Not to mention her own self.
I mean, really. Where is her pride? Her intergrity to stand behind her work?
Don't get me wrong, I've had reviewers harangue me for my plot lines and characters, and some of my word choices, but I stand behind everything I've ever written. I think what I write is special, it's not your same every-day-run-of-the-mill historical romance. I don't write sex, but I insert the historical facts as accurately as I can get them and I think that makes up for the lack of voyeurism.
I make sure I trim my adjectives, keep my plot moving forward, don't keep repeating the same things every 5 pages. Readers, I have come to find, aren't stupid. They wouldn't read if they couldn't follow the plot. But jeez, this New York writer broke every single "bad" writing rule in the proverbial book by my standards. What's up with that?
When did these New York pubbed romance writers get so complacent? Is it because they know whatever they write will hit the best seller list? Or is it because their publisher doesn't care what they come up with and they know they'll sell 200,000 copies in those 6 months anyway?
However, one thing, I do know, I will not be complacent. I will always strive to have the best plot, characters, and story-line out there. I really don't want people throwing my book across the room.
Tell me -- Are you afraid of being complacent? What do you do to combat that? How do you define complacency in writing?
Anne Gallagher (c) 2013
But, because I haven't been writing, my brain has been left to rattle around in my cranium with nothing to focus on, so it wanders to and fro in its own little world. Last week, I happened to find an old book I had lying around that I hadn't read. Mind you, it was published in 2009, so it wasn't that old, but still.
(Funny how it takes New York almost 18 months to publish something, and then in 6 months it's already in the Dollar Store.)
Anyway, as I read this book, my little brain kept urging me to throw it across the room. It was an historical romance, by a very famous New York published writer. And I had read almost everything she's ever written, so I was dismayed when I got to the end and realized I SHOULD have thrown it across the room. (It ended up in the yard sale.)
I wondered then, why on God's good green earth, would her agent, editor, publisher, BFF, and mother, allow her to publish something that was just so ... dare I say it .... bleh. Not to mention her own self.
I mean, really. Where is her pride? Her intergrity to stand behind her work?
Don't get me wrong, I've had reviewers harangue me for my plot lines and characters, and some of my word choices, but I stand behind everything I've ever written. I think what I write is special, it's not your same every-day-run-of-the-mill historical romance. I don't write sex, but I insert the historical facts as accurately as I can get them and I think that makes up for the lack of voyeurism.
I make sure I trim my adjectives, keep my plot moving forward, don't keep repeating the same things every 5 pages. Readers, I have come to find, aren't stupid. They wouldn't read if they couldn't follow the plot. But jeez, this New York writer broke every single "bad" writing rule in the proverbial book by my standards. What's up with that?
When did these New York pubbed romance writers get so complacent? Is it because they know whatever they write will hit the best seller list? Or is it because their publisher doesn't care what they come up with and they know they'll sell 200,000 copies in those 6 months anyway?
However, one thing, I do know, I will not be complacent. I will always strive to have the best plot, characters, and story-line out there. I really don't want people throwing my book across the room.
Tell me -- Are you afraid of being complacent? What do you do to combat that? How do you define complacency in writing?
Anne Gallagher (c) 2013
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