Believable Romance, Believable Characters

As a writer, I'm also an avid reader. My bookshelves are lined with books of all genres, some romances of old. You know what I'm talking about...the so-called "bodice rippers" where the poor beautiful and well endowed heroine is at the mercy of a pirate captain but ultimately falls in love with him. Or some other equally inane plot, with the same sex scenes. Perhaps that was considered "romance" years ago. I also believe that's why romance is snubbed by many as being trash.

Real romance happens every day. People fall in love and get married. These people may not be the "beautiful couple" depicted on the covers of romance novels. But they have been on a journey of finding their soul mate.

I love books portraying ordinary people, in extraordinary circumstances, who find true love. It's the sigh when I read the last word that makes me want to read the book again. Love. Romance. Happiness.

I just finished reading Colleen Coble's Rocky Harbor series. I loved the characters and their journeys to finding love, the adventure, the suspense, and the wonderful dogs. I sighed at the end.

Have you read any great romance books lately?

I'm a Turtle...

Quote for the Day: I try to leave out the parts that people skip. ~ Elmore Leonard

What I'm Reading: Teacher's Plans by JoAnn Carter

Picture of the Day:

This is one of the rocks I painted. When I paint a rock, I look at it and envision the creature inside. This one clearly spoke to me. No dallying around. Just..."look, I'm a turtle waiting for you to bring me to life." So I did.

That's what writing is like for me as well. I envision a character in a setting and then I'm magically inside his or her head. I know what mood they're in, what they are thinking, what is troubling them. From there my story becomes clear.

When I read, I don't want to read all the details that detract from the action of the story. I'm one of those "Give me the facts and cut to the chase" kind of readers. I guess I'm like that in real life as well. I told you how my hubby can draw out a story, going off in tangents that have nothing at all to do with the punch line. So, when I'm reading and run into a bunch of words that are meaningless detail or description, I pull my head into my shell. I hated history in school. There were way too many boring dates and things that to me were meaningless. Hmm. Maybe that's why I don't write historicals!

And, since I like fast moving stories that suck me into the pages, maybe that's why I write romantic suspense. My books are full of dialogue and action. They are character driven. I admit it...I'm plot challenged. I can't sit and plot out my story. If I do that, I can't write. I allow my characters to draw me in and lead me through their life. I love it. I never know what's going to happen next. I know the basics, but the exciting things I discover on the journey of writing. And, I do try to leave out the parts that people skip.

The reviews on Amazon for Joshua's Hope all seem to reflect that I've succeeded in my goal. If you haven't yet read Joshua's Hope, hop over to Amazon and read the reviews. Maybe you'll be tempted to find out what happens in the journey of a stepmother who needs to save her son--at any cost. Read Reviews.

Thanks for stopping by!