Do You Care?

There have been several instances where I've read a novel and either the MC isn't real enough for me or I can't relate to them at all. Sometimes there's no sympathy and that's when I usually stop reading.

Recently, my husband started reading my second novel (and this is part of the reason why I decided to revise a little more). He noted that he was stuck on Chapter 5 because it was hard to sympathize with a MC that was so cold and calculating. There wasn't any real personality to her. I'd also received this little tidbit from a trusted reader and that's when I started thinking seriously about this topic. So I went hunting for ways and advice to bring life and sympathy to those near and dear to me.

Paula Eykelhof of MIRA Books, in an article written by Brenda Novak, says,

“Readers will care about what happens next only if they can care about your characters, connect with them in some way and feel interested in their personalities and their fates.” 

And in her article, 10 Ways To Improve Your Romance Novel, Brenda Novak expands a little further:

Be sure your protagonist always has something important and personal at stake. When choosing your point of view, tell the story from the viewpoint of the character (or characters) with the most to lose.

So I ask: What makes the reader care about your characters as much as you do?

In Which I WAS Finished

So...my first draft of MY DEMONIC LOVE is done. Yep, my first Paranormal Romance is complete (for the time being). I need some distance. I will come back to it in a few weeks to start revisions, but that is not what this post is about.

My second novel, ALL BECAUSE OF YOU, is going out to another handful of agents and although I didn't have any takers for beta-reading, I decided to be proactive and read through it one more time before sending my brand spanking new query out into the world.

This is what happened...

I am revising. Again. I realized the entire first chapter was back story. I've saved each segment of that chapter into separate files and will redistribute them throughout the book. They're memories and should be placed accordingly. What was I thinking? Duh! So, as you can see, I'll be busy for the next few weeks. The picture above is just the second page. I'm in for the ride of my life and looking forward to how much better my MS is going to get!

How are your revisions going? Are they simple or a mess like mine?

Playlists

I don't know about you, but I can't write without music. Like Stephenie Meyer, I make playlists throughout my projects, then listen to those songs for inspiration, specific wording to use in the MS and general enjoyment. Most of the music I listen to is Hard Rock or Heavy Metal, which reflects into my work, making it edgier. Sometimes it's a good thing. Sometimes it's a bad thing. Every once in a while, depending on the type of mood I want my writing to reflect, I'll throw in some Pop and Classic Rock. As a writer, I gain inspiration from a lot of places, but I have to say music is my #1.

Do you make playlists? How does music affect your work?

Obsessed

I'm OBSESSED with The Public Query Slushpile. Since I started writing, I've been looking for someone who knows how a query letter is supposed to work, what information needs to go in it, how to format and everything in between. I can't believe it took me so long to find this site and I want to thank Rick Daley for creating this opportunity for me!

If you want a serious critique of your query letter, even some plotting, visit The Public Query Slushpile directly or through my "For Writers" page (listed under Author and Industry Blogs). I have to tell you though...if you post, I will most likely comment on your query. I find myself commenting on every entry, but it's for your own good!

This is an awesome chance to get your query letter ready for submission and all the comments I've received there have only bettered my chances of landing an agent.

Are there blogs, websites, trusted advisers out there that you simple can't help stalking?

Lost

Not the TV show. Although that is possibly the best series I've ever watched. I'm talking about being lost personally. I feel so overloaded with things of the world, that my writing is so far behind! I am going to school for my writing career (English Literature). Writing is my life. It will always be my life, but why do I feel so overloaded that I can't even think of turning back to it? There doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day. Once I'm home from my full-time job, there's only so many hours left in the night before I have to go to bed to start all over again. I want to work on my W.i.P., but life just isn't going to let me!

Do you ever feel this way? How do you get past it?

Craziness!

Wow, the past couple of weeks have been so busy around here. School is getting ridiculous, leaving me barely any time to write. My w.i.p. has suffered the past few weeks, but today I was actually able to get about 3,300 words in. I'm up to 80,000 with just a few thousand to go! Yay :) I seriously never thought this MS would make it, but now that I'm down to the last two chapters things are finally starting to fall into place. I've written the query (which will be posted on the Public Query Slushpile soon) and hope to get some advice from my loyal followers. I've kind of missed you guys and apologize for not being a better follower. I will be back to commenting soon!

In other writing news, I also started another short story. This was completely unexpected, but this morning, I just couldn't not write down my dream. And with a lot of my dreams, they turn into stories. I'm still not sure where it's going and this is my first Fantasy storyline I've followed onto paper (or laptop), but we'll see how it goes.

I'm supposed to be studying for a midterm, but I want to know what writing you've been getting to lately! Tell me what you're working on :)

I Need You - 3 Of You, That Is

I need beta-readers for my second novel, ALL BECAUSE OF YOU. I've only had a couple of people close to me read over this MS and it's time to get some real critism. Please don't offer if you don't have the time to get it back to me soon. I'm looking for a quick turn around (say in 14 days) from someone who is somewhat educated/educated in mystery/suspense and knows how the MS should flow. Three different readers would be great.

If you're interested, please email me! I can send the MS in PDF format and will give permissions to make notes in the margains or we can work something out in Word if you can't use PDF.

natascha [AT] jaffa.name

Click here for my revised query in case you want a little more information and tone of the MS.

Sharing

As many of you know, my second novel, ALL BECAUSE OF YOU, is out for submission to a handful of agents. I wanted to share my query letter with all of you and get some feedback if possible. I've posted the original to The Public Query Slushpile and hope you'll take part! Here is the first revision. Apparently, I'm having trouble with genre. Where the heck does this book fit in?

In other news, this weekend unraveled a lot within my current W.i.P, My Demonic Love. I fixed a few details in random chapters, trying to make the plot run more smoothly and ended up adding a whole other chapter. This is the only way I can explain EVERYTHING and now realize that I won't have any trouble getting to 90,000 words (I was a little apprehensive).

I've found that I work more efficiently when I'm switching between two projects at once. This gives me the opportunity to take mental breaks from one MS while working on the other and I think my writing is getting better in the process :)

How many projects do you work on at one time?

What in the World?

Do you make your own covers? I do. I have fun with it and even though I'm not published, I get a kick out of seeing my name on my work. He he. Don't judge. These are from my next series. Which is Sleuth. I really liked the dresses. Enjoy.

Harlequin - Category Romance

When my current W.i.P. first draft is finished, it will about that time when I need to get my third novel, All or Nothing, ready to submit. It's Romantic Suspense (67,000 words) and I think I just may change up my act for this book. Currently, my second novel is out for submission. I have a list of about 50 agents and it takes a very long time to get through it, researching, submitting, etc., etc. So, my thought with All or Nothing was to submit to Harlequin's line Silhouette Suspense and to RWA's Golden Heart.

Here are some guidelines, according to Harlequin:

Silhouette Romantic Suspense
Sparked by Danger; Fueled by Passion.
Length: 55,000–60,000 words

Silhouette Romantic Suspense books offer an escape read where true-to-life heroines find themselves in the throes of extraordinary circumstances...and in the arms of powerful heroes.

The hero should be a force to contend with. He may be harsh and direct, but never cruel. Though formidable and heroic, he is capable of being saved, and it is up to the heroine to get him there. Our heroines should be complex, strong and smart. As independent as the heroine may be, she is often in jeopardy and needs the hero's help to overcome obstacles.

The conflicts should be dramatic and compelling. Romantic Suspense books revolve around classic plotlines that are tried and true in category romance: revenge, women in jeopardy, espionage, law enforcement and military, reunion romances, secret babies and others. Romantic Suspense stories will be consistently high on sensuality, as well as romantic and sexual tension.

What do you think? Do you have opinions on category romance? What are the pros and cons? Do I have any takers to critique my query and synopsis? And lastly, are there any of you out there that have submitted to the Golden Heart? Tell me about it!

Winner!

And the winner of Janet Evanovich's Lean Mean Thirteen (September's giveaway), chosen by random.org is.......drum roll.......Jen Daiker! Send me an email with your address :)

Congratulations! Thanks to everyone for participating!