A Chocolate Cafe Chat with Author Denise Hunter

I fell in love with Denise Hunter's stories when I met Lucas Wright in The Convenient Groom. His faithful love for Kate, despite her apparent indifference toward him, is a beautiful allegory of Christ's care and drawing toward us.

And she's fantastic at writing heroes who adore the heroines! Who wouldn't love that, right?

Well, pull up a chair and join Denise and The Alley Cats for some morning mocha and a chocolate

chip- cream cheese danish :-)

Denise, 
Who is a character you've enjoyed writing and why?

Seth Murphy from "A December Bride". This is a first-time-in-print e-novella that releases Nov. 26. It's a Chapel Springs novella following Layla from "Barefoot Summer".

I love Seth Murphy because he's completely (though secretly) smitten with Layla, and he's willing to patiently woo her. What's not to love about having a guy head over heels for you? A guy who's willing to wait however long it takes to win you? Deep down I think we all want to be loved like that. It was fun writing a hero who

embodies that blend of passion and patience. 

Thanks, Denise. Creating characters, especially memorable heroes, is somewhat magical. Denise's are no exception.

 I found this quote to go along with the thought.

“Stories have a power, a magic all their own. Consider the fact that the actions, thoughts and feelings of people who have no existence in reality can make you laugh, make you weep. That's the art and that's the magic.” 

― Fledge Story Witch of the Ten Nations Fair Tailspin by Denise Rossetti

Do you have a character (or characters) you've created and someone felt the 'magic' of it? Or even better, have you noticed God's work in the creation of certain characters?

The Variety of In-the-world/not-of-the-world Writing Part 2

Last time I talked about various types of Christian books. You can read that post here.
Today I want to look at examples of these and I'd LOVE your helps to provide more.
Remember this table?

Let's look at some variety of published fiction out there: Books which show God's grace through fiction in various ways.

1.  – fewer subplots and less complex story line.

Simpler Story-Line
      Simpler does NOT mean less, it just means simpler.Harlequin, particularly LoveInspired, is known for their focused plotlines. These books usually do not have a lot of extra subplots and tend to be shorter in wordcount. Harlequin's books can be coupled with a variety of:
    a. subtle/overt christian themes
         Tina Radcliffe and Ruth Logan Herne probably keep with more subtle here and Missy Tippens might be more overt.
    b. PG/PG 13 themes and language
          LoveInspired definitely keeps to PG, many of the other Harlequin lines go beyond PG 
          Janice Thompson's books probably fall under the simpler storyline, though they are longer. It's a straight-forward and fun-filled romance, with the purity of the romance being the focal point of the story. though there are a few subplots, those are also simpler.

2.2. Complex Story-Line – more deeply and complex story line

             Many of our longer books in fiction have more complex storylines. These are books with varied and detailed subplots which carry through the main plot, enhancing it in subtle or overt ways. We can apply the same above standards with these too.

        a. subtle

              Mary Connealy writes Christian fiction with more complex plotlines but a more subtle Christian theme.

              Some of Laura Frantz's are like this too and definitely Siri Mitchell's.

              Denise Hunter would probably fit here too.

              Debbie Macomber books fall between simple and complex storylines with extremely subtle Christian themes.

             To go a little 'classic', Jane Eyre is subtle for our day, but was probably more 'overt' in Bronte's day. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings has definite Christian themes, though subtle - as does Austen.

b    b. overt

           Julie Lessman might be that in-between overt and subtle in her Christian themes, but there are some fantastic, very direct Christian themes. (Her Daughter's of Boston series would be considered PG-13, but her newest book, Love at Any Cost, would be rated at more of a PG level)

           Jody Hedlund's and Laurie Alice Eakes are also among this group. There are clear and direct 'come to Jesus' moments, a strong Christian struggle, and inner monologing which clearly sets up a Christian worldview.(These two would probably be rated more PG in their romantic tension)

           The Dance by Gary Smalley and Dan Walsh fits here as well, though it can fall between simple and complex.

            Some classics?

            C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia is certainly an overt allegory, as well as something as dark and foreboding as Dracula (which would be considered more PG-13, btw). 

 So, can you add some more to this list? Can you break them down and tell us how they fit into this table? Remember, God uses all types of stories to bring about His story.

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      Pepper Basham writes Blue Ridge romance peppered with grace and humor. She's a mom of five, speech-language pathologist, and lover of chocolate. When she's not aggravating the wonderful AlleyCats, you can visit her at her personal blog, Words Seasoned With Salt. She's represented by Nicole Resciniti of The Seymour Agency.

What's Up the Street Next Week?

It's a fabulous weekend in Iowa as the AlleyCats have their FIRST annual Alley Cat retreat!!


In celebration of our fun, we're offering another fabulous week of giveaways and guests for you.


Monday - Denise Hunter chats about Writing Heroes.


Tuesday - Laura Frantz gives us some tips on writing spell-binding heroines


Wednesday - Verses to encourage your writing - from various authors


Thursday - Melanie Dickerson brings us tips on how to write heroines.


Friday - We end with more Hero Talk from Jody Hedlund

Make sure to stop by for chances to win fabulous books and enjoy some healthy encouragement along the way!

Setting the Mood with your First Lines

Your eyes meet across a crowded room of wedding guests, the culmination of a glorious affair decorated with elegance and extravagance. Candlelight and string quartet. And now, the interested gaze of Mr. Tall, Dark, and Dreamy sends your heart into a pitterpatter to put the first strums of Beethoven's 9th Symphony to shame. The mysterious stranger steps toward you, black suit jacket bringing out the depths of his eyes. Could he be British? Italian? Rich? A James Bond wanna-be?

From the trim line of his jaw to the determination in his step, he boasts of confidence and sophistication. His grin sends shivers of anticipation tickling up your spine.
And then, he opens his mouth with the thickest country accent you've ever heard.
"Hey there little darlin'"
The symphony in your head switches to a minor key.
"You're 'bout as purdy as a Thanksgivin' turkey."
The orchestra screeches to a halt.
"You wanna go git some viddles with me and smooch a while?"

What happened? Everything was going so well? The look, the feel, the obvious attraction and then...The mood and expectations did not match reality. AHHHH!

We all know first lines are important for hooking the reader. You can read about those in some previous Alley posts. But first lines also set the mood for things to come.

I've asked the other Alley Cats to share some of their first lines so we can look at how the beginning 'puts you in the mood' for the rest of the story. They help setup your expectations.

Let's start with WOMEN'S FICTION.
Known as the genre which focuses on deep issues related to women, WF is known for its more descriptive and serious tones. Some popular examples are Gina Holmes and Patti Lacy. Here are a few AlleyCat examples:

Casey Herringshaw:

A girl can only take so much truth.

Which is probably why Jenna Hutch crouched in a two-bit cow-town restroom, 200 miles from home—waiting for the pregnancy test to confirm what she already knew.

Her fingertips bleached white and the stick branded her palm in a jagged zig-zag. She held her breath for one beat, then two, lungs clenching like fists. This was taking way longer than it should.

(whew, GREAT hook)

Karen Schravemade:

Maya walked hand in hand with her dead father beneath a sky so blue she surely could not have dreamed it. With every step her sandals scuffed up red dirt. The dust settled between her toes and beneath the cracked vinyl straps of her shoes. She couldn’t remember what had come before this moment, just that she was here, with her Papa once again, her mind empty of questions and heat shuddering from the ground in waves.

Julia Reffner:

"The prophet and the elders have decided it's time you get married." Click, my spine cracked as I pulled my shoulders back.

"Signed by the Prophet himself. Delivered by Elder Tom just this afternoon." Father moved in toward me until his shins brushed the edge of my bed and handed me a manila envelope with my name in black Sharpie letters. He smelled of Vaseline which held his hair in a tight pompadour. After weeding and backhoeing all day, the coiling wave attached itself to his forehead, hiding an angry row of whiteheads.

Mary Vee:
If time really healed all wounds, Liz could have endured the remaining chapters of her life. She longed for pages penned with stories about a large family chattering at an extended dining room table while passing baskets of freshly baked dinner rolls from one relative to the next.

Her stomach growled.

If you'll notice, these novels denote a more serious tone - which sets up the reader for a more serious book. You are more likely to find more descriptives and internal conflict, than in some other genres.

HISTORICAL ROMANCE is next. Within HR, we find the tenents of any romance novel, but set within a historical period of time. HRs can have 'voices' that hint in two general directions. 1. a more serious novel (Laura Frantz would be an example) or 2. a more comedic HR (Mary Connealy writes these). Regardless of the tone taken, the hallmark of historical romances is that they involve ROMANCE that takes place in HISTORY :-)  -so the stage must be set.

Angie Dickens:

My baby sister fit on my hip just above the waistband of my covering. Our skin blended together, a brown shade of the red earth which carpeted our land. When I stepped out into the new day, my feet began to dress themselves in the dust. The sun always surprised my eyes with her bright shine first thing in the morning. I squinted and all the dried mud huts clustered before me, glistening white as if chiseled from the great clouds above.

Though HRs are typically written in 3rd person, Angie has done a great job with 1rst person here. We can tell from her setup that her novel will have more of a serious tone, and descriptive.

Sherrinda Ketchersid:

The lock would not budge.

Jocelyn blew a strand of unruly hair from her eyes and paused to still her racing heart. Nothing prepared her for the trembling of her fingers and the time wasted looking over her shoulder, no matter how many times she practiced in the privacy of her room. Taking a deep breath, she slowly pried the tip of her knife into the lock, listening for the quiet catch of the spring.

Pepper Basham:
There is a distinct difference between marrying a man you do not love and knowing you cannot marry the one you do. As Ashleigh Dougall locked eyes with Sam Turner, the full sting of that truth stripped all doubt. Her dear friend, practically a brother, suddenly evoked a reaction far beyond mere friendliness. Heaven help her. She loved him.

Even through the space of noisy travelers and hurried porters, Sam’s grin tripped her heartbeat and snatched at her breath. She stood transfixed, disbelief vying with denial, but the pull of truth slit between them. How? When? She couldn’t love Sam like this. How long had she ignored the swell of admiration? The grip of heightened awareness of him? His manliness?

She was keenly aware now.

I love how books within the same genre can set such different tones. Angie's book sets a 'portrait' feel, words painting a picture of life. My HR and Sherrinda's begin in the clutches of a person's emotional reaction. Sherrinda's even holds an air of peril. But all take place in a historical era.

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE is a romance novel set during the 'modern' world - which is usually any time past 1950. Like HRs, CRs can have a more serious tone or comedic tone. Like all romances, the meeting of guy/girl is of upmost importance in the heart of the story. Some popular authors are Rachel Hauck, Denise Hunter, and Susan May Warren.
So....
what kind of mood does Krista Phillips set for you?

God, is it against the rules to want to strangle one’s boss?

Even though she was still very new to the whole Christian thing, six months yesterday to be exact, Maddie Buckner was fairly sure that thoughts of murder, even it jest, wouldn’t be condoned by the Almighty.

or how about this one by Krista?

Jenny Garrett sank to her knees as someone pounded on her door for a second time.

She sucked in a shaky breath and blew it out. No need to panic. It was probably just a neighbor coming to introduce themselves to the new girl on the block. Or a vacuum salesman. Or a church group handing out tracks, trying to tell her about Jesus even though she’d known him since she was three.

The door knob jiggled.

Or a burglar planning to jump her when she opened the door, tie her up, ransack the place and take everything of worth, then shoot her to eliminate a witness.

Comedy, right?

How about another one.

Pepper Basham:

One step into the massive, glass-walled waiting area was all it took.

In a cataclysmic chain of events, someone bumped into Eisley Barrett from behind sending her purse and all its contents skittering across Heathrow International Airport’s glossy floor. Just as she regained her balance, her heel caught on her purse strap, forcing her off kilter. She liked comedy, but this was ridiculous.

In horrific slow motion, forward momentum merged with gravity, the crowd parted like the Red Sea, and she landed face-first on the floor.

Well, not exactly on the floor. Somebody broke her fall.

Sherrinda Ketchersid:

Emilie Burke hated blind dates, and happy-in-love, matchmaking friends.

She paused at the artsy mosaic door of the trendy downtown restaurant. The smell of heated spices and a smoky grill that filled the air almost made this possible fiasco worthwhile. Why had she said yes?

The same reason she always said yes. She was an impulsive people-pleaser.

Can't you just feel the difference between the WF and HR and the Romantic Comedy examples? In Contemporary Romance the sentences are usually a bit shorter, there are fewer descriptives, and dialogue plays a big part in the novel.

But not all CRs have to be humorous.

Here is an example from Cindy Wilson's novel:

I was twenty-seven when I met my fairy godmother.

He stood 6 feet tall, with an eagle tattoo eclipsing the upper half of his right arm, and bold red and blue decorating alternating spikes of his Mohawk.

Oh, and he was a librarian.

Doesn't that just get your attention and make you want to keep reading?

How about a few first lines from very different genres?

Speculative Fiction:

Sophia Quinn hated starting new assignments with insufficient information. Especially if lack of knowledge led to her death, or worse, someone else’s immortality.

We know it's contemporary because of the wording. We know it's speculative because of the phrase "or worse, someone else's immortality". The setup is there, and it's the author's job to stick with the 'mood'.

Young Adult:

“There’s not enough frappachinos in the world to make me go out on another triple date with you two.” Emilie Burke stuffed her art pencils into her tattooed backpack and slung it over her shoulder, resisting the urge to run out of the classroom, away from her well-meaning but deluded friends.

Fantasy (YA)

Magic breathed beneath the castle’s library stairs. Karth was sure of it – though he’d never admit it out loud. Eighteen year old princes did not believe in magic, no matter how otherworldly the situation, but as the black abyss under the stairs mesmerized his thoughts those childish haunts tickled at the edge of his logic.
Can you feel the difference? What do you write and how do set the mood?

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Pepper Basham is a Blue Ridge Mountains’ native, mom of five, pastor’s wife, and university instructor. She writes in various fictional genres but spices them all with grace and humor. She is a 2011 Genesis double-finalist and can be found at The Writers Alley, her personal blog- www.pepperbasham.wordpress.com, or in her imaginary world. Company always welcome.

Getting Back in the Groove

I think happens to all of us at some point or other.


We lose our groove.

Writing-wise, I mean. I don’t think I’ve ever found my groove for dancing. I can play a mean conga drum, but dancing? Nah! It’s one of those moments when my children cower in total humiliation – or for the younger ones, abject confusion :-)

The status of my writing groove has been questionable since the end of NaNoWriMo. After devoting every second to writing – and working it around my horribly busy schedule, I was exhausted. The craziness (and wonderful-ness) of Christmas came and went. THEN I started up my new university semester this month. My groove got lost somewhere along the way.

I truly believe that each writer has a typical way to ‘feed’ his/her groove, and many times, if we don’t pay attention to the type of creativity God birthed within us it can squelch our desire.

Some writers are ‘Stay the Course’ writers. They start a novel and methodically make it from beginning to end. Rarely do other story ideas distract them from their course, but if they feed the ‘new’ idea too much, they may lose their focus and drive for their WIP.

Some writers are “Plan first, Write Later”. They collect all of their research, data, character sketches, plotting charts, and scene by scene synopsis until the shape of the story is set, and THEN they write.

Other writers are “Tackle-Plan Writers”. They may be Pantsters who start their story and stop at various points along the way to gather research, reshape the novel, and solidify what they have.

Then there are people like me. I refer to my writing style as the “Doug-Writer”. Ever seen the moving “Up”. The dog on the movie up, named Doug, is constantly distracted by a ‘squirrel’. Well, that’s kind of like me. I am at my writing BEST when I can swing between two (or sometimes three) novels. Here’s why. I can write on one until I hit a wall, then switch and feel those wonderful creative juices flowing…until I hit a wall, then switch back. It REALLY suits my innate writing needs. (This type can also be referred to as Writer-ADHD)

When I’ve tried to be a Stay the Course writer, I lose my creativity and ‘fire’ (as Cathy Marie Hake calls it) after about two months. I really need to go ‘where the fire is’.

Along the way I’ve also discovered some practical ways to get my writing groove back. Here are a few:

1. Pray (duh…I wish I could say I always go to this one first.)

2. Read FABULOUS books from FABULOUS authors like….Julie Lessman, Mary Connealy, Liz Curtis Higgs, Siri Mitchell, Laura Frantz, Denise Hunter, Julie Klassen, Janice Hanna Thompson, or Susan May Warren.

3. Daydream – I have a very vivid imagination. When left to its own devices, it’s one of the things that gets me into trouble with too many stories  But it is always a way to reignite those creative sparks. Daydreaming about my wip can jumpstart my writing.

4. Watch an inspiring movie. I usually like to stick to a movie genre that is somehow related to my wip. Gleaning inspiration from other stories is a MUST for any writer, I believe.

5. Brainstorm with fellow writers. The Alley Cats are wonderful brainstormers, and one conversation with them can sometimes be the encouragement and the jumpstart I need to hop back into one story or other :-)

So….

Do you have some more writing styles to add to the list?

What do you do to get your writing groove back?

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Pepper Basham is a pastor’s wife, mom of five, and university instructor. She takes the storytelling elements of her Blue Ridge Mountain heritage and spices a variety of genres with grace and humor. She can be found causing mischief at her group blog The Writers Alley, or at http://www.pepperbasham.wordpress.com/

pictures courtesy of http://www.fanpop.com/spots/penguins-of-madagascar/images/21932618/title/king-julien-screencap

What's Up The Street For Next Week?

Ready for another week of movie madness?

No need for 3-D glasses around here, just bring a willingness to share and learn and come Meet Us At the Movies this week on The Writers Alley.

Last week, the Alley Cats discussed writing tips from movies like Loving Leah, Beauty and the Beast, Indiana Jones, Return To Me, and How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days –

The fun doesn’t stop there.

Take a look at our lineup for this week:

On Monday, Angie talks about the romantic comedy, Thirteen Going on Thirty

 The ‘coming of age’ story with stellar actors and a quirky plotline, Secondhand Lions, is Julia’s pick for your viewing pleasure on Tuesday.


To Like Characters or not to Like them? That is the question Sarah poses on Wednesday with the movie, No Reservations


 Can we say EPIC? Wendy takes us on a journey with Lord of the Rings on Thursday.


 Grab your tissues for Cindy’s Friday post with ~ P.S. I Love You




THE NEWSTAND


Casey’s wonderful review of Denise Hunter’s new novel, A Cowboy’s Touch is up on the ACFW site. You can view it here.

 Pepper just finished her review of Mary Connealy’s newest ‘classic’ Out of Control. Check out her review here.

 Alley Cats Sherrinda and Angie had their first meeting. To see the pic and news check out Sherrinda’s blog.

Annabelle is HOME again!! Krista’s news is up on her blog. Praise God!

Wendy is the special guest on Keli Gwyn's fabulous blog Romance Writers on the Journey. Don't forget to stop by and read Wendy's beautiful interview.

AND DO NOT FORGET:

Starting August 15, The Writers Alley will host two weeks of Writing Conference info - just in time to get you guys ready for ACFW!
It's bound to be an adventure.

Fairytale Endings - Are They for You? (and a giveaway!)

I'm a big fan of happily-ever-afters, which is a great thing with romances big in the market. Happy, satisfying endings are very popular, particularly in the CBA, but are they for everyone?

So what makes up an ending? Because, as I re-read the previous sentence with the words "happy" and "satisfying", it's becoming more and more clear that those two don't necessarily go hand-in-hand.

Characteristics of a Satisfying Ending

A Resolution

In order for readers to be satisfied with an ending, the main conflict needs to be resolved. Sure, there are people out there who still do cliffhangers, but those are few and far between (or part of a series). And not only that, each story needs to have its own resolution.

So if the main character is searching for something, they need to find it somehow. If they're lacking something, they need to gain it somehow. If there's a problem, it needs to be fixed.

Growth

Having a character experience growth is a strong and important way to satisfy readers. We all read about and learn about character arcs because they're important. Readers want to see characters in a different place at the end of the novel as they were in the beginning - and hopefully that's a better place.

A Purpose

This category sort of wraps in the first two elements of a satisfying ending and tosses in a few others. A purposeful ending is one that's well thought out. If there's a theme to your story, it can be revealed or summed up here. A purposeful ending isn't a one-page wrap up that solves all the problems of the novel without any real effort. In fact, a purposeful ending isn't always expected. In other words, it's not the easy way out. Sure, in romances certain endings are often expected (i.e. the hero and heroine make up or reunite or admit their love) but they can still stray from being cliche.

As a fan of happily-ever-afters, I like to see a story ending well--meaning, the characters are happy, they find what they're looking for spiritually, emotionally, etc., and their future looks amazing. However, those elements aren't the only ones that make up a satisfying ending for everyone.

What do you think? Are there certain elements necessary to creating a satisfying ending? And are you a fan of happily-ever-afters?

Also, if you want a chance to win, Driftwood Lane, a romance by one of my favorite authors, Denise Hunter, who always makes me smile with her happy endings, leave a comment and your e-mail.

Romance Through the Ages

Romance isn't the genre for everyone, but for those it appeals to, we love it! What's better than that first sight of a potential love, that first kiss, or a happily ever after? And that's part of the reason romances are so successful and endure the ages. From Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice to some of the contemporary romance authors of our time (some of my personal favorites, too) like Denise Hunter and Jenny B. Jones, these writers and their books follow a bit of a formula--a successful way of presenting a love story to a reader that fulfills what they're looking for.

The Connection

This is the moment the hero and heroine get their first sight of each other. It's either the first time they've seen each other at all, the first time their interaction is introduced to the reader, or a reunion of a hero and heroine who knew each other from the past somehow. Either way, it's that first moment the reader is waiting for. When the two people we root for to find love with each other and land on the page together. Sometimes there is breathlessness, sometimes there is a funny quip or humorous interaction like in Just Between You and Me by Jenny B. Jones, but no matter how it plays out, it's clear the hero and heroine feel something for each other and will be meeting again.

Physical Interaction

This can be anything from the touch of a hand or arm, to a hug or kiss. This is the moment the hero and heroine move into a new stage of their relationship. Where it's taken to another level and made clear that they are falling in love. The moment Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy touch is just as powerful as contemporary stories that express interaction with a passionate kiss. The story builds toward this moment and readers expect it.

The Conflict

Ahh...well, of course we want the characters to fall in love and live happily ever after but we don't want it to come easy. Where's the fun in that? No, we want to see the characters grow and change, to struggle and overcome. So there's conflict, something that keeps the characters apart--Denise Hunter is a master at this. These conflicts consume the characters and make it believable that to them, they truly cannot be together. Whether it's an internal, external, or spiritual conflict, or all three, we expect as romance readers that there will be something to keep the hero and heroine from expressing their love or making it to that happy ending.

The Resolution & Happily Ever After

And just as surely as we know the characters will be pulled or pushed apart, we know they will come back together. There will be a reconciliation and a happily ever after. Sometimes this is a kiss, an apology, a declaration of love or a marriage proposal, but no matter which, it's the ahhh or awww moment of the book. The point we've been waiting for that all is well and the hero and heroine will be able to move forward with the love and life we've been rooting for.

If you haven't read any of the authors above, I recommend it. But you know from the last several posts we've had here on The Writer's Alley that most of us are fans of these authors and they're excellent writers. So, if you read romance or have read a romance, what do you think? Has this genre endured the ages because it follows a certain kind of formula? When you pick up a romance novel, do you expect these aspects to be present in a story or would you rather see something different?

Keeping the Reader Hooked - 5 tips

Before I get too far into my post, I want to place credit where credit is due. This post-idea came from a FABULOUS post at Seekerville last week by Marylu Tyndal. You can check out her post here.

Now – on with MY post :-)

I’ve talked before about what makes a good ‘beginning’ hook, but what keeps a reader keep reading to the end? Well, we know it has to do with characterization, plotting, conflict…etc, etc., but we also keep flipping pages because the author keeps on hooking us.

Tension does it best.

But tension can be expressed in different ways. Here are the top five elements I’ve seen that keeps readers turning the page. The top five ‘hooks’ authors use to keep readers reading.

Peril
Humor
The Unexpected
Embarrassment
Fear (which can be physical, emotional, something unwanted, etc)

I’m reading Denise Hunter’s new book, Driftwood Lane, and smack in the middle of chapter five, Denise adds the sexual tension of the hero/heroine first meeting. The heroine, Meredith, wants to fix up this old B & B and get out of town as soon as possible with the three step-siblings she’d just discovered. The hero, Jake, thinks Meredith is probably crazy and doesn’t want his niece and nephews in her care. Meridith does NOT want to fall in love. Nope. BIG FEAR of romance.

So, Jake shows up (Meredith doesn’t know he’s the kids’ uncle. She just thinks he’s a repairman :-)

“Nice place,” he said as they entered the kitchen. “Had it long?”


“Uh, no.” She crossed the room, her heels clicking on the tile. “The dishwasher’s been leaking.” She moved in front of the sink.


“Let’s have a look.”


Meridith turned on the faucet and washed her hands, then dried them on a nearby towel. When she turned, Jake was inches away. She hadn’t realized he was so…broad. There was something about him. He was like a cougar ready to spring. Contained passion. She pressed her spine to the sink ledge.


His jaw sported at least two days’ stubble. His upper lip dipped in the middle, just the right size for a fingertip.


“Need in there,” he said.


Under the sink. Of course. Heat flared up her neck, into her cheeks. She bolted across the room while he opened the cupboard and sank down to his knees, straining his Levis.


He was so not getting this job.

How about embarrassment? Does that keep us reading? Let’s check out a short scene from Julie Lessman’s new novel, A Hope Undaunted.

Male voices rumbled in the dining room, and Katie zeroed in on Brady with a bright smile. “Happy Birthday, Bra—“


The smile died an ugly death as the pitchers slipped from her hands and crashed to the floor. Sticky puddles pooled at her feet, but all she could do was gape, drawing in little or no air despite the extended drop of her jaw.


Pandemonium erupted – Collin yelling for a towel and her mother rushing in, and everyone blotting and mopping and babbling words Katie couldn’t comprehend. Instead, she stood like a statue, mounted to the sticky floor as surely as if lemonade and tea were glue. The heat of humiliation curdled her stomach, rose to her throat, and bled into her cheeks, confirming once again that Cluny McGee – aka “Soda Jerk” – possessed a true talent for misery.

That last paragraph is phenomenal, isn’t it? You can just feel the humiliation happening. A wonderful book, if you haven’t read it yet :-)

Humor?

Well, nobody does it like Mary Connealy. Here’s a brief glimpse.

All of a sudden Silas figured something out that he should have known all along. "We aren't taking a baby on a cattle drive."


Belle stepped away from his side, where just a second before he'd decided it was to be the two of them against the girls, and liked that just fine. She lined up with her daughters.


The whole gaggle of women froze. Even baby Elizabeth stopped her cheerful torment of Emma and stared at Silas.


Sarah took the eggs off the stove and, with a towel wrapped around it's handle, held the hot pan like it was a weapon. Lindsay set down the tin plates she was laying out with a sharp click


The five women stood shoulder to shoulder against him.


They didn't look much alike. Lindsay and Emma some, but otherwise they were as different as if they shared not a drop of blood. But their eyes, whatever the color, held the same cold glare.


Belle could have slit his gullet with the sharp look she was giving him. She said quietly, but with a voice that spelled Silas's doom, "What kind of a man are you that you would go off and leave children home alone for so long?"


Not his doom as in he was fired. His doom as in he was going to have to go on a cattle drive with five woman, one of 'em wearing diapers.

Shock, or the unexpected, is another way we hook the reader. We do something that the reader doesn’t expect. Maybe our character responds in an unexpected way. I’m going to try to use an example from my own novel, Here to Stay, so bear with me :-)

Eisley Barrett is staying with some friends of a friend as she researches a story in England. Mr. Harrison, her elderly host, picks her up from the airport along with his gorgeous son, Wes. Eisley does NOT want romance. Wes does NOT trust women because they’re always trying to ‘use’ him for their own gain.

So…

“Since father’s heart attack two months ago and then the incident with the paparazzi, I’ve been rather cautious of new people. Some strangers sold highly private photos of my father shortly after his attack, and it isn’t the first time our privacy has been violated. I’m very protective of my family.” He stepped back, his expression unreadable. “I shouldn’t have made foolish assumptions. I beg your pardon.”


It seemed physically impossible to look away from his probing gaze, like he wasn’t quite sure whether to trust her or not. Well, she couldn’t blame him really. His excuses were pretty good. Heart attack and paparazzi? If her father had recently had a…wait. Paparazzi? She caught her breath. Her throat tightened, so she swallowed. Her gum. Halfway.

She produced a series of unladylike coughs and had the overwhelming desire to flee this scene of climactic embarrassment. Wes touched her shoulder and leaned so close she saw the stormy gray swirls in his eyes. The sweet scent of leather and spice followed. She decided death by bubble gum might not be so bad.

No. Get Thee behind me hormones.


“Eisley?”


She sucked in a gasp at the sound of her name on his lips, but it was a bad idea. Coughing ensued, right in his face. Come quickly Lord Jesus. Preferably right now. Her coughing melted into a humiliated laugh. “I swallowed my gum.” She shrugged, met that thought-blanking gaze again and a new explosion of heat lit her cheeks. “Did you say paparazzi?”


Wes exchanged a look with his father. “Well, yes.”


Eisley’s lips came unhinged as she stared at Mr. Harrison. “Are you famous?”


Mr. Harrison grinned. “No, dear. The paparazzi were after Wes.”


Wes? Eisley examined Wes’ face, which wasn’t difficult to do at such close proximity. Somewhere in the deep recesses of her mind the fog began to clear. Wes Harrison? Christopher Wesley Harrison.


She grabbed his arm. “You’re the actor, Christopher—”


“Shhh.” He covered her mouth with his hand, his breath fanning her face, and all caution in his smile seemed to disappear completely. “I prefer anonymity for now, thanks.”


Eisley stared back, dumbfounded. His hand softened against her lips and his leather cowboy-cologne soaked each breath. Words, thoughts, and feelings crashed together inside her head. Christopher Wesley Harrison? No wonder she’d been attracted to him. He wasn’t like a real person. Everything slowed down. Her breathing, her thoughts, her heart rate. Then the realization hit her. She was safe.

One more? Let’s try peril, and if you don’t mind I’ll use another example from my own writing. One of my wips. A supernatural entitled Heartless.

There Sophia was, dangling upside down from a rock cliff over a mountain gorge. Well, she certainly couldn’t die in such a useless way. She had to get back on solid ground. She squeezed her eyes closed and drew out a long, calming breath, trying to clear her mind, her fingers inching up the rock outcropping in search of a reliable handle. The stormy current of the river churned hundreds of feet beneath her and echoed off the canyon walls. She doubted even the strength of her superhuman abilities could withstand a drop like this. If she hit the river just right, maybe?


“Well, well, what do we have here?”


Sophia froze, hoping her face was as hidden from his view as his from hers. She didn’t need to see him. Her senses told her what he was.


“Poor lost lamb.” Another male voice joined in, thick with sarcasm. Red blazed behind her eyes. They were very hungry. “Should we put her out of her misery?”


Sophia needed to remain anonymous. Faceless. Unless she could kill them without a doubt, they couldn’t know her people knew their hiding place. Not this early in the assignment. Pebbles scattered from above her and pelted her like hailstones as feet shuffled onto the rock ledge.


She looked down, another whoosh of cool air pushing up from the river. There was no other choice. With one last prayer for help, Sophia loosened her grip and free-fell into the oblivion of her next breath…if there would even be one.

There are more ways writers keep a hook in the readers, but here are a few of the top ones.

What tools do you use? Got any examples?

The Big 4 - Genre Options in Christian Fiction

On Friday, Krista had a fantastic post about the differences between Inspirational Fiction and Christian Fiction. If you want to read about it, go here.



Genre is a tricky thing anyway, I think. There are SO MANY possibilities. And so many ways to mix them together. I’ve been trying to figure them out for a while now, so I wanted to share some of the basics I’ve learned.

Here is a list of the BIG FOUR genres in Christian Fiction, and I’ll try to break some of these down into subcategories.

One of the MOST popular genre in Christian circles is Historical Fiction. Usually the ‘line’ for historical is WWII or maybe even the 1950s. I say ‘historical’ a bit loosely because there are basically two different camps of historical writers.

- People who give great historical detail, including true historical events and even historical figures (such as Nancy Moser’s historical books)

- Others use a historical period as a backdrop for their stories, but use purely fictional characters throughout.

Romance can be a part of these stories, but it usually isn’t the MAIN part of the story. Not if it’s a pure historical. For those of you who write romance in a historical setting, then the next genre is for you ;-)

THE MOST POPULAR Genre in Christian fiction is ROMANCE. Which means, the stories are about love, but that’s about all they could have in common. There are so many subgenre, it’s one of the easiest for first-time writers to enter. MANY of my favorite authors fit into here, of course. Mary Connealy, Julie Lessman, Laura Frantz, Siri Mitchell, Deeanne Gist… you get the point :-)

Historical romance

Romantic Suspense

Prairie Romance

Amish Romance

Fantasy Romance

Romantic Comedy

Those are just a few of the possibilities. We could add various combinations to romance and get another sub-genre, but remember some (BASIC) rules apply to romance. Most publishers want the hero and heroine meeting in the first chapter. The relationship between the hero and heroine is the ‘heart’ of the story and usually the story takes place over a relatively short period of time. There can be some pretty important stereotypes placed on the hero and heroine as well – so researching is an important starting point. :-)

Another BIG Genre is Christian Contemporary Fiction – which is really the ‘catch all’ of novels set in a contemporary world. Christian Women’s Fiction is usually placed within this genre. Chick-lit and Mom-lit would have fit in here, or any character driven novel. Angela Hunt comes to mind and some of Deb Raney and DiAnn Mills novels as well.

The fourth BIG genre (and one of the newest) is Christian Suspense and Mystery. The ‘who done it’ stories as well as the ‘thrillers’. The three main subgenre here are:

Romantic mystery

Romantic suspense

Cozy Mystery – these are your ‘sweet’ mysteries, without the graphic violence.

(Legal suspense novels and the new Christian ‘thrillers’ are becoming a larger subgenre here – Steven James, as an example)

A few other subgenres are – Christian Biblical Fiction (The Centurion’s Wife, Abigail), SciFi & Fantasy, Westerns, Adventure (House of Wolves is a VERY good example here), and even Horror – I might be tempted to put some of Ted Dekker’s books here)

So, when it comes to you – what genre do you read? AND what genre do you write?

Can you narrow it down to a subgenre, or do you get stuck in the gray sometimes like me? I have a historical novel that has a strong romantic element, but the heroine’s journey is as strong by itself as the romantic journey. So what do I do? Is it historical or is it romance?

Do you guys ever get a little lost in the genre fog?