Write away! Write now!

A sensational ted talk to get you all riled up and writing.

http://www.ted.com/talks/young_ha_kim_be_an_artist_right_now#t-1002180

Quote

“I went online and ordered every romance novel I could find. They're fairy tales for grown-ups.”  ― Gena Showalter, The Darkest Night

Friday Shorts

Write a story that begins with a dinner, a unexpected guest and a spilled glass of red.

Glorious Bumps

"The course of true love never did run smooth."
-William Shakespeare

This quote, taken from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, expresses the driving truth of all romance novels. Readers know upon opening a romance, that in the end the man and woman will be together. But still, they read romance novels. In fact, they devour them, can't put them down, lose hours of sleep to see how it all turns out. Even novels I have read before can keep me up much later than I'd like, hold my attention like no other genre of writing can.

It is the bumpy road the hero and heroine must take, the difficulties, the obstacles, the impossibilities that give heart and soul to romances. They cause suspense, tension, and disharmony for the reader. The tension pushes the reader to keep reading, reading, reading until the blissful moment where the tension is released and all obstacles fade into nothingness.

So, cherish the tension between characters. Build it. Make sure there are obstacles that are authentically daunting. Don't let it got too early. It is what makes a story magical.

Choosing a pen name

Pen names are, of course, not necessary unless you have a conservative family, a restrictive or censuring work place, or something of that nature.  However, in taking a pen name you have the unique opportunity to create for yourself an alternate persona; a phantom who is everything you wish yourself to be, or at least whoever you wish that persona to be. It is a powerful act of self-creation. So pick a name you love. Google search it to make sure there isn't already some famous writer using that name. Check for available websites. Write your name down. Practise a signature. Have fun.

Friday Short- The joy of meeting

Begin with a meeting, between strangers or friends, person and pet, and go from there

Quote for thought

"Passion is universal humanity."
-Honore de Balzac