This week I finally (huge stress on that word) got back to my WIP. I had been so busy updating my site, doing beta reads, editing, submitting to an anthology, and marketing (not to mention dealing with all my “real life” stuff), that it took a back seat for a while.
The time away gave me a fresh perspective. I ended up changing my outline, which is tedious work in and of itself. It also took more time away from my writing, but that was okay, because when I got back to it, the plan was more solid and I didn’t have to try to figure out where I was or what went next. Time well spent, all things considered.
One thing I did notice, though. I somehow forgot how to write romance. Or rather, romantic scenes. None of the words I chose were right. Everything sounded stilted and forced. I was vexed. (I vented in my Facebook group, which I’d love to have you join. If you’re interested, click here.)
Talking about it helped. Hearing commiseration and advice helped, too. It was probably just a bad day, because all is right in my Medici world now. (Well, actually, $#!% has hit the fan and all is going wrong, but that’s “right” in the writing process.)
Once I got the scene fixed, all the other words began to flow. It was beautiful. (Sure hope my readers agree!)
This book marks the end of this particular series, and it may be my last romance novel, at least for a while. The project I have in mind for my next series is darker in tone. If that’s the one I go with, I won’t have to worry about “those” scenes.
That’s not to say I no longer enjoy reading or writing romance novels. I do. But I’m not a romance writer. I’m a writer. Period. I have lots of stories to tell. And romances have their place. Just consider this week’s quote, and you’ll understand why I like them so much.
And now, this week’s writing links:
Short Fiction/WP DP Challenge Links
- Saturday | The Case of the Disappearing Socks
- Sunday | Novel Excerpt from Body Armor
- Monday | A Tall Tail… er, Tale
- Wednesday | Fog
- Thursday | Not Exactly Classic Symphony
Links to My Posts/Posts on Sites I’m Affiliated With
- Monday | Story Empire | Drip Campaigns
- Tuesday | The Write Stuff | Excerpt Week—Medici Protectorate Series
- Wednesday | Story Empire | It’s in the Stars… or Not
- Thursday | AIW Press | Research—A Necessary Evil
- Friday | Story Empire | Curated Writing Content
Once again, thanks for visiting. I hope you find these links entertaining and/or useful.
In the meantime, before you go, if you had a favorite story or post, tell us why. If the quote of the week spoke to you, we’d like to know. Feel free to weigh in on any of this content down below.
Enjoy your weekend!
Glad you are back in the groove.
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Thanks, Michele.
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I took the day off work today so I could concentrate on my WIP and managed to knock out a little over 4K. It felt good to make progress and to settle into a flow for the book. Hopefully, I can manage the same or a better word count tomorrow.
I enjoy romance in a story, and I’ve certainly done my share in writing it, but like you I am not a romance writer. I’m a story teller, and if a romantic thread happens to worm it’s way into my story, so be it,. But if not, the tale will stand on its own. I admit that as a reader, I tend to stick to mysteries, thrillers and suspense as my preferred genre, but every now and then I just like to escape into the warm-fuzzy feeling of an HEA.
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There is something nice about the warm-fuzzies. I especially like them in the winter. Probably residual Christmas feelings of love and good tidings. (I’m weird that way, I guess.)
Glad you made progress on your WIP. I had a few good days, but I’m on hold right now to do a critical beta read for a friend. Shouldn’t take me long, then I’ll be back at it. I do have some edits to do for short stories, though.
I’d love more time in the day…
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio.
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Thanks for sharing, Don.
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You’re welcome
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Good luck getting back in the groove, Staci. I’m taking off work next week to make a Herculean effort to finish my WIP. Keep your fingers crossed!
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Wishing you a productive week, Teri. Good luck!
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“Life always finds a way.” 😉👍
I enjoy reading a good romance, but there’s always more to the story surrounding the couple. When fully developed and fleshed out, THAT’S the part which draws me in and enhances the romance. 😉
Enjoy the weekend!
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I’m with you, Felicia. When I first started reading romance novels, I stuck with the romance-only stories. They fell flat pretty fast. When I ventured past those to stories with other elements, the characters themselves became richer in addition to the plot being more compelling. (And I’m definitely in the character-driven camp, not the plot-driven one.) Rich characters and high stakes make for the best reading. (The romance then becomes the icing on the cake. And I do like cake…)
Happy Weekend!
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Just rusty. I always get like that after a break. I can’t word properly when I get back to it, but after a little bit of forced, ugly writing, it all flows again.
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Forced, ugly writing. That’s precisely what that was. It’s all better now. I had a really productive week (after getting past that mess, anyway).
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Ugh, I’ve gotta get some writing done. I’m in my own ugly writing phase.
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It is nice to take a break and get “other” stuff done. It really gives current projects a different view. I am in the middle of the same thing, too. I can’t wait to get back to work soon. I’m enjoying the first book of the Medici series:)
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You know, I usually hate breaks (probably because of the Herculean efforts required to make up from them), but this one did me a favor. I hope your break works the same for you.
And thank you for the kind words about Bleeding Heart. I hope you tell me what you think when you’re through.
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