Comments on: I Am a Rock. I Am An Island.

By: Suzanne Jones

Suzanne Jones — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:03:13 +0000

I could use that program, too.

It sounds like you've got it all sorted. I think the hero needs to be strong and silent and you've worked out perfectly how the heroine will find out what's happening with him.

My current hero was too vocal in a recent draft and that made him veer towards being too nice (apparently). Not an alpha trait to chat.

X

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:27:07 +0000

Felicity, I am with you re Johnny Depp. Yes indeed, the lust card works for me – I have played it and my heroine is happy. So far. Little does she know the plans in store for her… 😉

By: Felicity Roger

Felicity Roger — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 20:10:35 +0000

I googled the programe just in case…dang it…Kate Walker was right. And for me, play the lust card. Have her wanting him so bad it defines all reason and logic…like a chocolate craving that cannot be denied or my obsession with Johnny Depp. You just know it is bad for you, but if it was there, within arms reach…would just one little taste hurt. And even if it does, isnt it worth the consequences, just this once…. (my heroine is facing a similar dilemma…so would I be if Johnny Depp ever was passing through Hobart).

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 19:32:00 +0000

Kate, an urban myth?? Well, there goes that idea. :-) And the formula too? Sigh.

I still get people asking me about the formula. At least they've stopped asking me when I'm going to write 'real books'. Now, after having their heads bitten off, they just ask whether or not I'll ever write 'something else'.
So many stereotypes eh? And I thought librarians had it bad...

By: Kate Walker

Kate Walker — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 17:45:00 +0000

Sorry but the computer programme is jusst an urban myth - one that I've been plagued with for all the 25 years I've been writing.

Do you think that if there really was one, then M&B writers would slave over a hot keyboard, beating off the crows of doubt - or that HMB would need to run contests to find new authors?

Another one to be filed along with 'the formula'

Kate

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:09:28 +0000

Caroline - that's really good advice. I think even if my heroine told the hero to get lost, he wouldn't. Because, well, he's an alpha male who isn't going to let a good thing go, no matter what she says. He has ways to make her see reason... ;-)

Good point, Lorraine. There's another element I should add.

Gosh you guys are all great! I should post my ms problems more often. :-)

By: Lorraine

Lorraine — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 17:56:47 +0000

I think the lust card will work, particularly as she knows it’s an affair for one weekend only.
Isn’t it a safe way to dip her toes in to see if she’s missing anything, knowing full well she can go back to her safe life once it’s over?

By: Caroline

Caroline — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 12:18:42 +0000

Hi Jackie. I read this on the RNA’s blog site recently about characters who don’t play ball. I’ve written it out and posted it above my pc. It goes something like this – Don’t ask what happens next – ask yourself “What would the charcters do next?” I’ve been looking at this for the past 10 minutes as I ponder just what to write next – so far it’s not working – but I live in hope! Take care. Caroline x

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Hi Kristy, thanks for posting! Vicarious enjoyment…y’know, I didn’t even consider that aspect? The heroine, though, is pretty much against even vicarious enjoyment – though there probably should be some element of that in there. Hmmmmm… will think on it.
Glad you like the sound of the story – I can’t wait for people to read it either, when (if!) M&B agree to publish it! 😉

By: Kristy

Kristy — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 08:12:55 +0000

Hi Jackie

These guys sound like a really interesting couple of characters. I think if it was me as the 'safety girl' and my lover as the 'adrenaline junkie' I would probably be with him for the excitement of living vicariously through him. If I never did anything even slightly 'out there' I would probably feel like a bit of a dullard deep down, and be looking for someone who inspired me, no matter how much it made my heart race (in the scared sense as well as the passionate one :)

I think the third party's casual comment is a great idea to get info to the heroine. Getting an emotionally closed-off man to talk about his feelings is REALLY difficult. One character that I've written about was a bit like that and he told his story in a very angry manner in order to hide his sadness. I don't suppose they need to say much to get their pain across.

Can't wait to read this story when it's published.

Best
Kristy