I’m taking a break from Business Monday today. We had three weeks of Creating a Business Plan, so I figure you all could use a break 
Plus I’m worn out from the Epic Book Battle I’m waging with Savaged Vows. And I’m reading a slew of books for a contest.
One fun note, we went to CPA Boys and Special K’s Saturday night with all the family and had so much fun! We all brought wines from our trip to Paso Robles to taste, Special K made a delicious dinner, and we played with the dogs (they have three!). At one point, I was sitting at the table discussing the movie Fifty Shades of Grey with my adult sons, and I thought…Wait, is this weird to be talking about with my sons? But you know, it really wasn’t. Although I still think Wizard had the best review of that movie ever. It’s here if you want to see it.
Then I came home and refused to even look to my book. Savaged Vows is going a lot like Caged Magic and The Plus One Chronicles. The story is developing in ways that make me uncomfortable and I keep trying to pull back. These books are hitting my emotional triggers and I start writing scenes trying to get around it and avoid it. Then I feel the book dragging, delete those scenes and it’s an ugly cycle. But of course, I didn’t realize what I was doing until last night. I was doing dishes and thinking about why I was going round and round, when it hit me: My heroine has two issues I dealt with. It’s too close to home, I’ve known the fear of abandonment she feels, the need to be good/perfect so people will love you, and that compulsive need to be in control. In short, this story is hitting my Emotional Triggers.
We all have emotional triggers. But for writers, if they write books that dig into those emotional triggers, and let themselves feel it enough to bleed emotionally and honestly on the page, that creates a stronger book that readers really connect with. At least, that’s my hope. Knowing this doesn’t make writing it any easier but that’s okay. I makes me understand why I love the characters so much that I keep trying
So enough of all that. I have two things for you guys: Is there anything you’d like to hear about for Business Mondays and how was your weekend?
February 8th, 2016 at 5:23 am · Link
Yay for having fun with the family. No, it’s not weird to discuss 50SoG with your sons. Well, no weirder than the Kid and I discussing BF Skinner on the phone yesterday. (Long story.) Ah, yes, hitting the topics that make us skeeve out. I had a similar problem writing the book I’m currently editing – Fertile Ground. The villain is a serial rapist, and while I didn’t write those scenes in any explicit way, the topic was still hard to write. :hugs: You can do this.
I was reading another blog a couple minutes ago about Goodreads and how authors can use it to their advantage. That might be an interesting topic for visitors here – the different ways you connect with readers and how they’re working out for you.
Ugh, I totally vegged out this weekend. I didn’t do much work, I didn’t read. Just a total potato in front of the TV. I have 10 days to get this finished before my edits on In Deep Wish come back, so I’m procrastinating. Football last night was worth the wasted time. And Kitten Bowl. Sometimes a gal just needs to sit and watch baby kitties. Ya know?
February 8th, 2016 at 9:05 am · Link
Wiz so totally cracks me up! I don’t have sons. But my SiL is pretty cool about what I write and read. Baseball Boy even checked out Sylvia Day’s Crossfire books for The Only when he worked for the library. LG and I have the same opinion about 50.
I obviously haven’t found the right fan fiction to ship. Ah well.
Weekend. I worked. Madly. An opportunity to submit to one of the big guys dropped into my lap. Sadly, I had nothing ready so guess what I did? Yup…I started writing. LOLOL I’ve got to finish the 3rd chapter and do a hard edit then I can submit on-line today, tomorrow at the latest. Synopsis already done so yay!
Business plan…wish I could help but you’re doing an awesome job. I didn’t comment but I’ll saved those posts because GOLD MINE! Thank you, thank you!
Okay. Back to work.
February 8th, 2016 at 12:49 pm · Link
B.E., Isn’t it awesome that we can talk to our kids?
Oh yeah, writing about a serial rapist would be tough too. Trying to get in their head is not a comfortable place at all. For myself,I figured something out at the gym that I think will really help me.
For Goodreads, I think I’d need a guest blogger, I’m not good at it myself. But it’s a great topic, thank you!
A vegging weekend is good! And you can’t go wrong with kittens
February 8th, 2016 at 12:55 pm · Link
Silver, I’m pretty sure we have similar opinions, particularly of the movie. We’ll just happily move on, LOL!
Fingers crossed on your submission! I love that you just go for it. We all need to do that! Keep me updated!
Actually I’m going to email you about Business Mondays this week, bwhahaha!!! Run, Silver, Run!! (Actually it’s not that scary, and a simple no will get you out of it).
February 8th, 2016 at 4:17 pm · Link
I remember Wizard’s review ;). He is really fun! I can easily see you sitting and talking to the guys about 50 shades. You have a great relationship with them and they are grown.
I remember going to see Deep Blue Sea with middle son when he was 18 and wondering how he was going to react with me from the nudity in the beginning. Happily he didn’t care ;).
Oh man, that has to be difficult when your character is going through what you have experienced. Bringing it all back home has to be hard. Did you have any idea the story was going that direction when you began? I know how your characters like to take control ;).
I hope you have a great week!
February 8th, 2016 at 9:12 pm · Link
Viki, you did your job right as a mom
Aren’t they great when they are grown, or almost grown? I loved the kids at all ages, but I try to always appreciate at the now.
I didn’t realize the story was going to go so much in this direction. I think I was trying to avoid it. Honestly I didn’t know this part of the story would be this big–it’s just grown organically.
Hope you have a great week too!