Monthly Archives: February 2022

Write me in

Choosing which imagination door you want to go in is like deciding what you want to watch on Netflix. For real.

In the last two days, I have written over 8,000 words in my fourth romantic thriller, and today is far from over. While 8,000 words might not seem like much to write for some, I can assure you that my 8,000 storyteller words are like the many strokes of an artist’s brush, as each word builds on another until the story (or picture) is done.

The most words that I have ever written in one day is 14,000 and I was whipped. I average 1,000 to 3,000 a day if I don’t have to stop for research or note organization. And there are times I write 4,000 to 8,000 a day. I have fallen asleep at my laptop, I have looked up and hours have passed. And, I have gotten up and fell across my bed and crashed.

Writing fiction takes a lot out of me, but it gives me more in return.

As for characters, stepping from the thriller to the romance in the scenes is really cool, and my favorite part. The twist of the plot is like dessert all day long. My characters come alive and that rocks.

To all you writers out there, high-five.

To all you readers out there, thank you.

A villain arises

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Some nights I just want to create, to continue to write a story, to watch the characters, just like I am making my own movie. Smile. See, I don’t even have to turn on the TV.

I’ve started a fourth book. I have to write. The stories want out and I am almost ten chapters in already.

Today was research, then I took a ride to think about it, then I cooked dinner with roasted chicken, baked beans, coleslaw and creamy sliced avocado.

Now I’m ready. I open my computer and lay my hands on the keys.

It’s time for the unnamed one to slip into the story.

He has a plan.

Oh, no.

The Kiss

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I was writing a wedding kiss scene in my first book, and for the life of me, I could not remember what they called a certain type of kiss that I saw in my mind. Now, don’t get me wrong, I write memorable kiss scenes that drip with attraction and intimacy. But, I needed a dramatic flair for this scene and I needed the name.

So, I googled types of kisses, and got definitions of kisses, which didn’t help me at all. I just needed the name of a kiss. Then I keyed in the search bar – fancy wedding kisses – and hoped that I would not hit some shocking website that put me on the FBI watch list. Eek.

Then immediately my computer monitor filled with fabulous pictures of couples off the Brides website. I scrolled through them and found the one for my description.

It was entitled The Dip.

Now, this is what I needed. A dip. Beautiful. Dramatic. He’s got her.

But then I had to show you the next dip picture. He is one happy man.

He wasn’t going to let her get away and he was celebrating. Smile.

But then, after I found what I needed I saw two other pictures of kisses that showed a depth of intimacy that was amazingly beautiful in a totally different way. They had the touch and the kiss. These are MY favorites and already in my books.

Sometimes a picture speaks louder than words.

Now, tell me, out of all these kisses, which one is your favorite?

So, how wild is your imagination?

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It was kind of freaky (pun intended) when I realized in the thriller portions of my books all the directions that I could take with the characters and the stories. And for me, there had to be a purpose in the madness for the villian(s), not just random. I wanted the intensity and build for my story.

And personally, I can’t do gore – wounds and battle injuries I can handle. Some pictures I don’t want in my head. However, I could weave an intriguing strategic mental torment, confrontation, and battle between the characters. Emotional. Harsh. The things that cause nightmares, especially with past memories and pain.

Nature provided me obviously a world of choices for extra tension, action, and excitement. What are characters afraid of, what is their weakness, what do they see, what do they smell, or what could bite them?

Action is my thing too. I like a mixture of movement with the characters or otherwise I will take a nap.

Then I think about the body and what it would feel during all those conflicts as it came close…and touched them.

Then I had to know my character’s probable response. Fight. Flight. Scream. Anger. Freeze. Panic.

And feel it for them.

To me, and I repeat, to me, the thriller part of my stories show what the target, or victim, can become, as well as what they are made of. Survive. Thrive. Awareness. Purpose. Victory. Warrior.

A purpose to move forward in life makes a huge difference, and ‘why’ matters in my stories.

So, each time I sat down with all this research, understanding, awareness, and plan, I was able to release my imagination and see how my story could play out. One scene at a time.

Did I mention how much I hate my villain(s)?

Isn’t that the point?