Aspiring Romance Writers

Thank you, Aspiring Romance Writers, for allowing me to share my passion for writing here with you. Today I am going to talk about Character, Character.

Creating Characters

In order to have a wonderful cast of characters, it is good to consider giving them a splash of colour. I love this part. It’s like having a clean sheet of paper with different water colors. I can splash it with as much colour as I want, mix and match.

I give them a weakness or two. Makes them more human and easy to empathize with. There is nothing as boring as creating characters who are similar. There wouldn’t be much of a conflict during their interaction. So I give them a personality. Is the hero bossy, adventurous, bad boy, tormented. Is the heroine shy, frail-looking that every man wants to leap and help her, does she seduce every person she meets in order to get her way?

Give the characters a quirk: does she pick on onions on her pizza, (I do that) does she bite her nails when nervous, jiggle her foot (guilty again), superstitious? Maybe she or he has a word she loves using a lot, (or curses a lot) or has a particular clothing preference, like putting on tweed jackets, or wears only clothing 100% cotton. Imagine a character who believes in superstitions about mirrors, ends up trapped in a house full of them? And no way to cover or hide from them? It would take a huge amount of effort to overcome her /his fear. This quirk creates conflict in this situation.

Writing character history. Everyone has a story. History. What happened to a person to shape them, for them to be the they are. Was she pampered as a child, therefore expects to get anything she desires whenever she wants? Did her/his parents divorce when she/he was a child? Did she grow up in a family where the parents displayed their affection in front of the kids? What kind of house did they live in? Did they have money growing up? Food? Anything. All these contribute to the characters history. Write their story on a different page. This way I know my characters, what drives them and that acts as a reference. Oh yes, and what buttons to push to make them all angry, snarly, indecisive or bare their hearts or lay their hearts at whose feet. And after my characters have walked the distance, full of thorns and stones, I reward them. Give them a happy ever after. After all, they’ve earned it. 

Book Title: Truly, Madly, Deeply, You

Author: Cecilia Robert

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: InkSpell Publishing

Publication Date: March 21st 2012

Format: eBook, Kindle

Book Synopsis:

Four days before Valentine’s Day, Liese Hansfeld is determined to shut the door to her house, as well as her heart, for her annual four days of mourning her one true love. Little does she know her best friend Freytag Meier is just as determined to keep her from her ritual. He’s ready to pick the lock to her apartment door and camp in her living room if that’s what it takes.

What Freytag isn’t prepared for is the surge of deep-rooted emotions he feels for Liese, but two things stand in his way: the grief and guilt she still clutches close to her heart, and a man who threatens to snatch Liese from under Frey’s watchful eye. Frey is determined to distract her into forgetting her pain. But is that enough to ease her grief, or help her see he can be more than her best friend?

To find more about Cecilia, please visit her on:

Website: http://cecereadandwrite.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/CeCeMR

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CeciliaMRobert

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/Cece26

Creative Collaboration Process

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Good morning! I want to say thanks for hosting me today. One of the biggest reasons we started Tri Destiny was to get to work with new and aspiring authors, so this is really exciting for me.

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I want to talk a little bit about something unique to Tri Destiny Publishing. We call it the Creative Collaborative Process (CCP). Alyssa and I are both authors ourselves, so we put a great deal of thought into what we wanted out of a publishing experience and, of course, what we didn’t want. We agreed early on that we didn’t want to sign a book and then strip the author out of the publishing process. An author puts countless hours (sometimes months and even years) into their manuscript. They’ve birthed a whole cast of characters, often even a whole town or new world. To then take that story and separate it from the author felt like we were confiscating a newborn from its mother. We would hate it. We think other authors hate that part of the traditional publishing model as well.

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Another reason we developed the CCP is simply that no one knows the characters as well as the author. Ask an author about their characters and, if the author has done their homework and background excavation, they can tell you everything about that character right down to a favorite color! Why would I want to take that intimate knowledge and discard it in favor of opinions and speculations of people who have no connection to the story? Sure, it’s easier to fill out an art form and let some third-party artist mock up a cover. It’s faster to have editors just markup the submission and send it back for edits and re-writes. Nine times out of ten, I’m all about the quicker and easier. But, we had to ask ourselves, is this particular quicker and easier doing our best for the book or our authors? Our answer was "no."

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So, we developed the CCP. From the time an author is signed, they’re involved in each step of the process. When we make edits, we do so with an eye for how to strengthen the whole manuscript and our author's writing in general. What will make it stronger? Where do we need to see more motivation play out? What’s already been told and now needs to get cut the next five times the author says it? These are all very typical things we see and we bring forward to the author. Sometimes there are reasons and answers to the questions. We listen to that and we work with the authors to better develop what they want to express. We network our authors to someone who works the same way we do for platform building. Our cover art is always done in a collaborate process between author, designer, and Tri Destiny. As authors ourselves, we wanted Tri Destiny Publishing to be a place where authors want their books to be. Because of that, we give our authors more latitude in content, more voice in the process, and make more tools available to develop themselves and their skills as authors.

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With the option of self-publishing so much more accessible these days to all authors, we knew we needed to stay fluid and in front of the trends. We think we accomplished this goal and continue to do it with everything from virtual video signings on Spreecast and Ustream to our unique partnership with Autography, LLC to provide signed eBooks in the same way an author signs a paper book: on a page which integrates into the front of the book.

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We invite all of you inspiring authors to submit to Tri Destiny Publishing. We are accepting fiction work of all genre and romances of all heat levels (though, any romance not considered contemporary mainstream romance will be listed under the SIzzlin' Books line). Our submission guidelines are on our websites:

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http://www.tridestinypublishing.com/html/authors-wanted/submissions

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http://www.sizzlinbooks.com/books-wanted/open-submissions

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Thank you so much to Aspiring Romance Writers for hosting us today and letting us talk a little about the unique Creative Collaborative Process. We look forward to seeing submissions from the members here and introducing them to the Tri Destiny model.

Risking at Writing

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Watching Olympic skaters glide across the ice with effortless grace, we often forget the countless hours of practice, spills, qualifying competitions, and heartaches culminating in the five-minute performance before the judges. Similarly, when reading a piece of fiction, we are not aware of the pages of first drafts, rewrites, discarded scenes, etc., leading to the published work. Both make it seem so easy, anybody could do it. Having attended ice skating lessons with honest-to-goodness Russian Olympic trainers (done for a group of Americans interested in learning ice skating) as well as writing for more than twenty years, I know what lies behind both.

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I never did learned to do any jumps or spins on ice because of what I considered to be a healthy respect of the consequences of forty-something-year-old bones connecting with something solid (like ice). Fear kept me from taking a chance on ice, but not from pursuing my dreams of writing. In the end, I decided a bruised ego could be painful, but didn’t require surgery.

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Just like ice skating, writing comes more easily to some, but one can learn the skill if willing to take the risk. Beyond any innate talent, authors need practice, an ability to accept criticism, and perseverance. I didn’t read my first book on writing until after I completed my first manuscript and received a few rejections. Stein on Writing provided me with basics such as point of view and dialogue. I followed my self-study with classes through a local junior college, and finally pushed myself to join a writer’s group.

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For those interested in pursuing a dream of writing: 1) Read--both about writing as well as those by others, 2) Write—practice makes perfect, 3) Accept constructive criticism—recognize it is about the piece and not you, and 4) Risk it—and like the skater, go for the gold!

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.Bio:

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Liese Sherwood-Fabre grew up in Dallas, Texas and knew she was destined to write when she got an A+ in the second grade for her story about Dick, Jane, and Sally’s ruined picnic. After obtaining her PhD from Indiana University, she joined the federal government and had the opportunity to work and live internationally for more than fifteen years—in Africa, Latin America, and Russia.

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After returning to the states, she seriously pursued her writing career and has had pieces appear in both print and electronically. Her short story “Virtual Harmony” is a free read available now through Musa Publishing at www.musapublishing.com. You can follow her upcoming releases and other events by joining her newsletter at www.liesesherwoodfabre.com, or visiting her Facebook, Twitter, or Bebo accounts. You can also contact her at liese@liesesherwoodfabre.com

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Internet Presence:

Web page: www.liesesherwoodfabre.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1370210900

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/lsfabre

Bebo: http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=3891506432

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/liesesherwoodfabre

Group Blog: http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com/

Musa buy link: http://www.musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=17

Amazon buy link: N/A

Virtual Harmony

Blurb: http://www.musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=202')" target="_blank">

Melissa embarks on a quest when a mysterious playlist appears on her new computer. Can she find this George, her apparent musical soul mate?

Excerpt:

It’d all started innocently enough. After plugging in my new MP3 player, and booting up my computer to download my playlist, my finger froze just above the mouse. An unfamiliar file folder appeared along with the others: "George's Songs."

Who was George, and how did he get on my computer?

Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day… Planning Your Splash onto the Scene

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By Deena Remiel

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It’s hard to believe that my journey to publishing began in September of 2010. It was the April prior to that when I put fingers to the keyboard and created the world of the Brethren by writing Trinity and then Relic. Five books later, and I can tell you, it’s been a wonderful blur and a skyrocketing learning curve. Today, I thought I’d share with you a couple of simple ideas that are actually crucial to your big splash as a newly published author.

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Simple Idea #1

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CLAIM YOUR REAL ESTATE

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As soon as you have the slightest inkling that you want to take your writing hobby to the next level (putting it out there for others to read), get yourself a dot com! I’ve heard so many stories from author friends, who after getting their first sale, went to create their website only to find their top choice of names had been taken by someone else!

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Then, start acquiring your real estate. Get a facebook page, twitter account, google account, etc. You’re not gonna know exactly what to do with all of these social media outlets right away, unless you’re already there. But don’t worry. It’s BEFORE you’re published that is the best time to play around with everything. Play around with a blog. Get a feel for your own unique style and voice. What do you want your site to look like? What do you want to offer on it? It’s scary, but believe me, there will be someone who will read your very first blog post. Link your blog to facebook and twitter so that people see your posts instantly. Post funny comments and comment on other’s posts. Go comment on other people’s blogs, too. That’s right. Blog surf! Offer your real estate (your blog) to newly published authors to promote themselves. They’ll likely return the favor when you become a newbie, too.

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Now that you have all of your stuff in place, go after more. Get into email loops that focus on your genre of writing, or a group blog or two that you only have to post on a scheduled day. Get your name out there. EVEN BEFORE YOU’RE PUBLISHED.

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Simple Idea #2

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GROW YOUR TRIBE

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Your tribe is your fan base. They are loyal followers who will promote you even when you’re sleeping. You mean you can have fans BEFORE you’re even published?! YES, YOU CAN! I blogged every day when I first started writing. People came, they commented, they subscribed. Then, when I got my first contract and began editing my manuscript, I started talking about it on my blog. I offered sneak peeks, a snippet here and there, teasers and tantalizers, on facebook and it drew a crowd. By the time TRINITY was published, I had people anticipating its release and then pre-ordering! Now, those very same people, and more, are eagerly awaiting Relic’s release at the end of this month.

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Enlist your tribe to gather more members. Be creative. The sky’s the limit when pondering how to grow your tribe. What may work for one may not work for another. You just have to be willing to think outside the box and jump in with both feet.

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And finally, reward your tribe members! They do so much for you, you must reciprocate. It doesn’t have to break your bank. It can be a small token of your appreciation. Maybe a special piece of writing meant only for them… But let them know how important they are and how much you care.

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Good luck to you on your journey to publication! If you’re interested in seeing the fruits of my labors, you can find me here:

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www.deenaremiel.com

http://riseofthebrethren.wordpress.com

www.facebook.com/deena.remiel

www.twitter.com/deenaremiel

http://plotmamas.com

http://paraposse.blogspot.com

www.decadentpublishing.com

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Hugs,

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Deena Remiel

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The Power of Critique Partners

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I’ve always been a loner when it came to writing. I remember when I first started writing, and I was basically playing around with ideas. I had no clue about goal, motivation, or conflict, or that plot structure and layering are important or the fact that your characters shouldn’t be jerks because no one would like them or want to read your book.

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I just wrote. And wrote. And wrote.

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Then I found my first crit partner. Of course I got mad when she tried to criticize my writing even though it was constructive. I had thin skin.

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Then rejections started pouring in. Hope withered. I was ready to just throw everything out and never write again.

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But I couldn’t give up that easily.

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So I got another critique partner. I became more open-minded. I read more. I critiqued more. I outgrew my critique partner.

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And then I found a wonderful group, called Passionate Critters (http://www.passionatecritters.org). It started with almost 20 women, then I watched people come and go as everyone grew to different levels. But the wealth of information and skills I’ve acquired, I truly have to thank these ladies. I was shown my weaknesses, my strengths—I became a better writer.

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You think that rejections hurt, and they do, but when you’re able to share every failure, every success with people who are striving for the same goals, you’re not so alone out there.

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Everyone’s writing process is different. Their learning level is different. And everyone is unique in their own sense. You read books and wonder about them, but truly the power of having a critique partner or group is priceless.

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I wouldn’t be where I am today without my lovely ladies. They’ve watched me grown, they’ve taught me so much, and they’ve allowed me to share every milestone, every goal, every failure with them. And the support and advice I’ve received are magnificent.

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If you’re a aspiring writer or a new author, get yourself a critique partner. They’re invaluable. It’s great to have someone to grow side by side with. Writing is a very lonely profession. You’ll learn so much from each other.

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No matter how skilled you are, or if you’re a New York Times Bestseller, there is always something to learn. But most importantly, never give up. And if your critique partner is doing his/her job, she’ll tell you you’re crazy if you even think the thought. Or if you receive a rejection, he’ll/she’ll cry with you. If you got “The Call” first, he’ll/she’ll probably want to gorge your eyes out and hate you for a few minutes, before she’s overwhelmed with your success and you’ll motivate him/her to do better. It’s a team effort. Don’t be shy, and go make some new friends.

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That’s the power of a critique partner.

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Hi, everyone!

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I’m Shadonna, author of An Unexpected Bride, a romantic comedy about Emma Wiggins who is about to marry her heart-stopping, gorgeous boss, CEO Evan Fletcher in seven days, trouble is--he doesn’t know about it yet!

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I thought I’d share a few tips on writing that have helped me on my path to publication that may help you on your journey from aspiring writer to published author:

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TIPS:

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1. Read voraciously and write religiously. As Stephen King once said, “if you don’t have time to read, you don’t have time to write…Read a lot and write a lot.” This way you’ll learn the craft and get a good sense of what is publishable.

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2. View your writing craft with professionalism, as an Olympic athlete trains daily—so you should write daily. Set goals attainable goals for yourself for example a page a day or five pages a day.

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3. Network. Join RWA (Romance Writers of America) or local writing groups and chapters in your area of interest. Writing can be solitary but doesn’t have to be. Another writer once said something to the effect that we may write alone but nobody succeeds that way.

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4. Limit the amount of time you spend online—Okay, this one is a toughie. But it’s vital to be balanced. Nobody wants to be a recluse. Socialize and make time for family and friends. In other words, have a life. Besides, you need something to write about.

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5. Eat healthy. Don’t forget to feed your brain cells and fuel your body with good nutrition.

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6. Count your blessings not your troubles. Feeling pumped up by life and good experiences certainly adds wonders to writing romance.

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7. Exercise. Since writers tend to spend an inordinate amount of time pinned to a chair and hunched over a hot keyboard pumping out prose by the minute this is very important. Stretch often. Take a break even if it’s 5 minutes every hour to get up and stretch. Get plenty of rest and don’t forget to indulge yourself once in a while.

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8. Take good care of your family and be there for your family and friends when you can.

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9. Never give up. Writing should be a cathartic release, an escape. Never give up on your dream. Find a good critique partner and hone your craft. And write the type of stories you love to read.

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10. And in the words of author JOHN GRISHAM whom I had the pleasure of meeting at Book Expo America 2010, “Write at least one page every day, without fail or your book may never get written. “

http://shadonnarichards.blogspot.com/p/unexpected-bride.html

My Experience With Critique Groups and Partners

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One question I am often asked in interviews, is what advice I would give to aspiring authors. Most days, I still find it hard to believe that I’m not in that category anymore, but actually have stories published. But my advice will always remain the same: Have your work critiqued. I’m not talking about getting the opinion of your family and friends—unless they’re in the publishing industry, and even then, how objective will they be? I mean by authors who have had their work edited. You may not think there are authors out there willing to do this, but let me tell you, there are plenty. You just have to know where to look.

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Lorna Suzuki, the fabulous fantasy author, who gave me this advice when I first started out, suggested I visit the local library to see if they knew of any critique groups. And that’s what I did. There were two groups, but only one fit with my schedule. I applied to the group by critiquing a piece they’d sent me, and included a sample of my own writing. I was approved, but had to wait over the summer months before our first meeting. In the meantime, I met one of my current critique partners through Lorna, and twitter. We were both aspiring authors, and exchanged chapters quite often. Still do.

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I went between her and my critique group for almost a year, learning so much with every critique I received. And let me tell you, not one person critiques the same way. Some would pick up spelling and grammatical errors, others plot holes, or inconsistencies within the story and characters.

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Then I met another critique partner online, and shortly after, had my first story published. When approached to join an online critique group, I jumped at the chance. My stories became more erotic, making some of my local group, uncomfortable. I hated to say goodbye to them, as they each taught me so much, but it was time to move on.

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Now, I have four critique partners, who are also great friends. They call me out on issues in my writing, and are very supportive when I’m having a bad day. They understand, for they’ve been there, or are going through the same things. And for them, I am forever grateful.

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If you’re looking for an online critique group, here’s a list of some of them out there:

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http://www.critiquecircle.com/

http://www.ladieswhocritique.com/

http://www.scribophile.com/

http://bookcountry.com/

http://www.authonomy.com/

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And there are many more. Also, if you join an organizations such as Romance Writers of America (http://www.rwa.org/), you can often find critique groups through their chapters.

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The key is to find the group and partners that work for you.

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Giveaway!!

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As part of the Unknown Futures blog tour with Sizzling PR, Jessica is giving away a $20 gift certificate to either Amazon.com or AllRomanceEbooks.com. Simply leave a comment with your email address for your chance to WIN! Be sure to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://www.markofthestars.com/wp/?page_id=8896

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Unknown Futures Blurb

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http://www.decadentpublishing.com/popup_image.php?pID=435&osCsid=33fqka4a6oaov11ddp7gme94i4')" target="_blank">

Attacked as a young adult, Jewel is left scarred and alone. She applies to the 1Night Stand service, believing no one can see past her appearance to love her. But she doesn’t expect to be sent to a space station where her date could be any number of unusual alien species.

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Flavia left everything behind to be one of five humans working for the Space Service space station. Extremely homesick, she is excited to learn she will be a guide to a woman from Earth visiting the station for a couple days. She is immediately drawn to the petite woman, seeing past her scars to her true inner beauty, stirring unforeseen desires.

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Unfortunately, Jewel is there for a date which Flavia hasn’t been told about. Can she contain her lust and simply show her a good time? Or will she let her desire lead them into an unknown future?

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Book trailer: http://youtu.be/HOBmZ9vKwYE

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Available from Decadent Publishing and other ebook retailers.

Buy Links here: http://www.markofthestars.com/wp/?page_id=7671

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Bio:

Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from anyone who has enjoyed her stories.

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Website/Blog: http://www.markofthestars.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/jsubject

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-E-Subject-author/205759796126370

Plotting Along

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Plots are amazing, especially when you complete one, when you pull the strings toward you and hear the snap. I dream about plots. I try to walk about a mile a day so that I can think about plots. The most difficult thing a writer will ever do is to find a coherent place of burial for the carefully crafted characters who so willingly allow their futures to be synthesized in the hands of their often, clueless creators.

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I have been reading literature for a long time and I’m always amazed at well crafted plots, succinct stories that come from writers like Anita Shreve and Sue Monk Kidd. They write masterful plots. They create fine lines that tie together with golden bands, leaving the reader with the sigh of a well told story, a world entered and exited with the utmost attention to detail.

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Then, there are a few of my other heroes. For instance, Wally Lamb and Caleb Carr who write plots that are like vast oceans, and once adrift in them, you fear for your life: God, where is this going? But then, miraculously you are placed on the shore like a well fed baby, giggling and cooing for more kisses.

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I have learned about writing from reading other people’s novels. I have learned more than any professor of creative writing could teach me. And I’m not putting down creative writing professors because I taught creative writing once upon a time, back before I ever got hooked on plotting a novel. Yes, back then, I enjoyed poems and stories I could end quickly. Now I understand why. Creating plot is like starting with a seed and trusting that all the branches will bloom. You plot along with an obsessive willingness to craft a journey worth taking.

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I have completed eleven novels, five are published and two more are in process. In process means I am adrift in the sea of imagination, logical conclusions and satisfying endings. Not that I was satisfied with the ending of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, or Cold Mountain. I was devastated and sad, and tried to find peace in the ultimate belief that heaven is real and both dogs and star crossed lovers can reunite. I don’t know if I want to make my readers sad, but I don’t necessarily want to make them happy either. I have to give LuAnne Rice credit, she is a real Irish poet, emotional and romantic and following her tight and repetitive plots your tear ducts will get a work out, but she always returns us to the shores of satisfaction, where all is well.

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I wonder if I want a happy ending for my latest character, a woman near seventy, who has certainly lived her life with regrets, heartache, and moments of tender reminisces. I wonder if I will allow her shattered illusions to heal her, or harden her? I think people near seventy years old have a lot to say and I think their lives are a mirror into what we will all face, what we will all feel when we look around the younger world and no longer see our image.

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I recently worked a day job with much younger people and the arrogance overfloweth. I felt like an alien on my own planet. But, in actuality, they were the aliens. In their mother’s womb was my history and their uncertain future is my triumph. They live in a blind present, a decaying bubble that tries not to show its soul, the one that is aging, bargaining and aching. I think that’s why I wanted to write my most recent book. My story is a world within a world within a world. And all the inner worlds are what has been lost, reinvented, misinterpreted and rediscovered. I wanted to look through my character’s eyes and see how the mindless illusions of youth granted my heroine the wisdom of indifference and a shedding of all superfluity.

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But how do I end my story? I alone can tie in the great journey of aging in a young world and I can bring her home or send her out to sea. But then, I think of a few of my heroes. What would Wally Lamb have done, for instance? Well, I think he would have held me in his long emotional plot, angered me with so many words, confused me with new information, but ultimately, like his characters, I would heal and I would emerge back into the vortex of his vision, where all is treated kindly and felt most deeply. Perhaps, that’s where every plot should lead … toward an inevitable and very human victory.

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Vera Jane Cook

Dancing Backward In Paradise, Ms Cook’s first southern novel won an Eric Hoffer and Indie Excellence award in the Literary fiction category for notable new fiction in 2007. The Story of Sassy Sweetwater is her second published southern fiction novel. It was released by Musa Publishing on January 20th, 2012. Also by Ms. Cook, her first paranormal/fantasy novel, Annabel Horton, Lost Witch of Salem. (Musa Publishing)

http://www.musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=161

http://www.musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11&products_id=107

http://www.verajanecook.com

Finding the Time

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First, thank you so much for having me today! I’m going to talk about finding the time to write. Yes, I know. An issue that as a reader you’re like, “Just sit and do it.” But as a writer you’re like “Time? What’s that?”

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Well, my philosophy is to combine them both. Find the time you think you don’t have and just sit and do it. My friend Denise Tompkins told me the best advice she ever got as a writer is to find sit on your butt time. I laughed out loud for that one. And it’s the truth. You need to find a way to write. Even if it’s just an outline, a revision, or a free write. I try and write every day. Even if I won’t use it. Because if I don’t, then I’ll find another reason to put it off.

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Even though I need to write.

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I need to find out what happens to my characters and how they will interact. That’s the best part. Finding what they will do.

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But in order to do that – I need to do that thing called, wait for it… write.

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I know right? But sometimes, it’s not as easy as saying “just do it”. You need to set some time for yourself and your craft. It’s a scary thing, but you need to stop and tell the screaming kids, the husband, the boss, your cats –everyone – even if it’s in your head, that you need to write. That this is something that you need to do and you need time for it.

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Find a way. I know you can do it. I’m trying and finding new ways to find time. But please, if you are or want to be a writer – you must write.

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Thank you again for having me here today!

Goals, Motivations and Conflicts -- Oh My!

We all have goals--write five pages, do two loads of laundry, empty the dishwasher, get to bed before midnight. And we have big life goals--to travel to China, send the kids to college, buy a house, sell a book, hit the New York Times list.

There are reasons we want each of these things. We want a clean house to impress our mother-in-law and clean clothes so we don't smell in public. We want to send the kids to college to give them a bright, successful future. These reasons are our motivation.

Then there are things that keep us from achieving our goals. The kids are trashing the house faster than we can clean it. The washing machine is broken. Have you seen how much college tuition costs these days??!!!! These are our conflicts.

For most of us, these goals, motivations and conflicts are nothing dramatic enough to write a book about. Maybe you'll write about it in a couple Facebook updates to get your frustrations out. For our characters, though, these three elements are their entire story. The goal drives the heroine to act and make changes in her life. She needs a good motivation, so the reader will understand why she's taking these actions and they'll root for her to succeed. As the author, you can't make achieving these goals too easy for her, or you won't have a story to tell. So you'll throw obstacles in her way -- the conflict.

In romance we also have a hero. When we give the hero a goal that is directly the opposite of the heroine's, suddenly the hero and heroine are in direct conflict with each other. This gives them a good reason to interact with each other, for the sparks to fly, and to create instant story tension, emotional reactions and sky-high sexual tension.

When my story isn't working, I always go back to the elements of goal, motivation and conflict. My hero and heroine must to have good reasons for wanting their goals. Otherwise, the steps they take to reach these goals won't be believable, and my readers won't care whether they achieve them or not.

Ten years ago when I started on my writing journey, I heard Debra Dixon speak at a conference workshop. Her topic was so instrumental to me that I picked up her book Goal, Motivation & Conflict: The Building Blocks of Good Fiction. http://www.gryphonbooksforwriters.com/home/gmc.htm I would not be published today without this advice.

I used Debra's charts to write down the goals, motivations and conflicts for the main characters in each of my manuscripts. I won't attempt to explain it better than the master, but I will pay forward what I've learned. I highly recommend that you get your hands a copy of Debra's book or at the very least study your characters' goals, motivations and conflicts and make them as strong as possible. Your story will thank you, and so will your future readers.

Sara Daniel is the author of Mr. Forever and the free short story Penelope's Pleasures, both from Musa Publishing. She is @SSaraDaniel on Twitter and at www.facebook.com/SaraShaferDaniel. You can also learn more about her on her website http://www.SaraDaniel.com.

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