WOW, it’s been awhile since I’ve blogged over here. Man I’ve been loving my group blog and neglecting my own. If you haven’t been by the group blog make sure you go over there http://www.southernsizzleromance.wordpress.com

I am talking this week about inspiration. Where do you get it, what makes it come to you, and does your inspiration ever run dry?

What does one do when they receive material to be critiqued that they just can’t get into? You know what I’m talking about, the ones that aren’t necessary written bad  but you just don’t like the voice in it and the words and emotions are off. How do you tell the person these things? Is there a polite way to do this?

 

Me, no. I don’t think so. I simply do the critique and suggest changes here and there. Unless you’re one of my friends then I tell you and hope we can still be friends. What do you do?

 

Having a contest over at the other blog, http://www.southernsizzleromance.wordpress.comCheck out Sayde’s Cowboy Eye Candy and tune in tomorrow for a great up an coming author’s interview.

A very nice and talented author I happen to be lucky enough to be friends with has finaled in a contest with a book she has been working on. She is a terrific writer and wonderful person. I couldnt be happier for her. Now what is something good that has happened to you lately?

Today a few of my fellow writers and myself started a new blog. We are southern women writing about cowboys, regency heros, doctors, and bar owners. Our group is broad on topics, writing styles, and taste in men. Come join us at http://southernsizzleromance.wordpress.com

As many of you know, I’ve been querying my new book entitled HELL’S HALF ACRE. The process can be long, lonely, and dreadful. Many authors feel this way, since those requests for partials or fulls can be slim. I’ve been fortunate with this book to get three requests for partials right off the bat, but there has been several rejections thrown in there too. As I’m writing this I’m thinking about some of my friends and wondering what they do to stay positive during the query process, even my published authors have times when their ideas are shot down.

So how do you do it? How does one stay positive during a time when there are so many people telling you: no, they aren’t interested in your work?

My tip, move forward, either by going over the manuscript you’re querying and polishing it more or by starting a new project. I’m currently doing both and thinking of reworking a project I completed a few months ago. So to those authors that are in the query process with me I suggest you stay busy. Don’t give yourself time to think about it.

My first manuscript involves a young woman who at one point in her life was beaten and raped by her husband. She leaves him but of course he finds her, that’s when he tries to kill her but is stopped. Years later she’s in hiding but because of other people, really, really stupid people he finds her again. This time he is more than determined to kill her but he finds he still loves her and wants her. She’s married to someone else when he kidnaps her. At this point we all know the crazy ex if gonna rape her even though we’re hoping not but realistically the kidnapper is NOT going to just leave you alone. So knowing that the chances are slim to none that the character isn’t going to experience being raped again how do you feel about that?

A fellow author(one I adore and hold a high opinion on) expressed her concern about how the readers will take the rape especially since at the point it is in the book since readers will have alot invested in this character.

Is rape too harsh, if the character is kidnaped by her ex that has already raped and beaten her will the reader really believe he didnt do it again? I want feedback here.

 Lets talk about relationships between friends. In my work in progress I’m setting up the book for other characters to have their own books later. If character A dates and has sex with character B then breaks up with B can character B date character A’s best friend? Does it matter that if Character B sleeps with character C that C and A will have MUCH more in common then just friendship. They would both have slept with character B. Can friends do that and still be friends?

So whats the limit there and I in no way am taking this next  book to a higher flame level. It’ll be hot but not as hot as current WIP.

I just finished a wonderful ebook that now has me thinking about the limits we push as writers. I have author friends who push the limits in their genres but what are the limits? Are there any out there?

For me yes, I may write an erotic book that brieflyexplores a threesome but it turns back quickly to a monogamous relationship between two characters. The ebook I just finished did not. It ended like it was Grand Central Station in this woman’s bedroom, and it wasn’t just men buying a ticket to ride that train! I felt a little awkward after reading the story however much I eventually cared for the characters and respected the authors daringness.

But again what are our limits as writers? I’m  not just talking about sexual limits either, have you written a character that pushed the limit in what society accepts as normal, or what about relationships between characters.

Kim Harrison and her characters Rachel an Ivy skirt a very thin line on what we(society) believe as friendship. They aren’t lovers but yet they are more than friends. If Ms. Harrison was to take their relationship to the next level of intimacy would we reject that? Would that be past the limits we’ve set as a society? 

My personal opinion is that yes we have limits but those limits are to BE pushed. I want readers to think about what has just happened to my characters, put themselves in their positions and wonder. I love the character Ivy and hope that one day Rachel falls in love with her the way Ivy loves her. Does that make me an outcast or a bad person? I don’t think so I think I’m a good person for wanting someone to be loved.

Tell me what your limits are and what a character has to do before they push past that limit.

This year I am not going to make RWA Nationals. I know, I’m so upset! But to those of you who are going please be careful.  Oh and you guys can always send me updates to either here or TWEET me. I love tweetdeck!  Have fun everyone I look forward to hearing some great stories from your trips!

In my WIP the main character believes her ex cheated on her, but what she doesn’t know is that he really didn’t.  Although sleeping with someone else the day after you break up is almost as bad. But that’s besides the point, the point is are characters who cheat on their girlfriend, boyfriend, or spouse forgivable? Can those characters be forgiven for his or her actions by readers?