This question has been pinging around my brain since last week's post. Really, what makes a man make us sit up and take notice. A man that doesn't even exist outside of a writer's imagination? What is it that makes us long for this certain man to be real, to exist side by side with us in our world?
I like to think it's more than a handsome face and buff body. Those things are nice, but kind of like eating icing without the cake. There's always something missing. I know when I write my heroes I create them with flaws. Short temper, stubborn sense of always being right or the naive belief they don't need anyone in their life. Flaws, I think, create the character, ads layers and depth to an otherwise one dimensional piece of fiction.
A few traits I've noticed over and over again have made me think these are what draws us in as readers and women. The first is dependability. A man you can count on when the world's exploding around you, a vampire is about to rip out your throat or a Regency baron is about to slice your head off with a sword. No matter the time period, the setting or the general genre men with the ability to come through are a turn on. The foster sense of trust and safety that aren't easily found in reality.
The second thing I've noticed is a sense on honor. You know what I mean. The highway man that refuses to allow a child to be beaten. Or a cop that rescues an abandoned dog on the side of the highway. The werewolf that refuses to release his beast on the innocent.
Third is loyalty which I guess could be the same as being dependable, but not quite the same. The perfect or the memorable hero has loyalty in spades. A code of conduct that cannot be broken. He's there for his friends, family and anyone he persevere as being weaker than him. Not to mention fidelity to his chosen lady. Is anything sexier than that?
So that's my opinion on the top three qualties on what makes a remarkable hero. As well as what goes into being a male character in one of my books. And yeah a hot body and sexy face don't hurt either.
Until next time have a great week!
Kudos,
Allie
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Hooked on Ranger
Yeah, I know people will be throwing popcorn and more at me for saying that, but I can't help it. I'm Plum fan now and chewing my nails waiting for Stephanie to get together with Ranger. Why not? He's hot, he's always protecting her. Hell, he's never said a word about all the cars she's blown up or destroyed. It takes a strong man to keep his mouth closed when hundred thousand dollar cars are flattened. Not to mention watching her walk away every night.
Joe never asks. He's never really there for her other than sex and clean laundry. I won't even go into scary Grandma Bella. Freaky deaky!!
All right...fire away.
Done yet? Look it's not like I don't get the Joe attraction. Joe is tall, dark and sexy. He's great in bed, he doesn't expect her to cook and he loves his dog. What's not to love? But he leaves me feeling a bit on the lonely side. He's never there for her. He pretty much just shakes his head and goes on his way.
Only two imaginary male characters have ever grab me by the throat. The first is Roarke by J.D. Robb. The second just happens to be Ranger. Strong, confident powerful men are who love completely are the sexiest thing I've ever seen. That's what makes them so popular with readers the world over. Fictional characters with real world attributes.
I only hope my hero have part of the soul of those two men. Because they are what makes writing so much fun.
I look forward to hearing the comments. Just play nice with the language. I damage easily.
Kudos,
Allie
Joe never asks. He's never really there for her other than sex and clean laundry. I won't even go into scary Grandma Bella. Freaky deaky!!
All right...fire away.
Done yet? Look it's not like I don't get the Joe attraction. Joe is tall, dark and sexy. He's great in bed, he doesn't expect her to cook and he loves his dog. What's not to love? But he leaves me feeling a bit on the lonely side. He's never there for her. He pretty much just shakes his head and goes on his way.
Only two imaginary male characters have ever grab me by the throat. The first is Roarke by J.D. Robb. The second just happens to be Ranger. Strong, confident powerful men are who love completely are the sexiest thing I've ever seen. That's what makes them so popular with readers the world over. Fictional characters with real world attributes.
I only hope my hero have part of the soul of those two men. Because they are what makes writing so much fun.
I look forward to hearing the comments. Just play nice with the language. I damage easily.
Kudos,
Allie
Monday, April 12, 2010
Slacking off
I have discovered the wonderful world of computer games. Oh yes, I'm a late bloomer when it comes to this topic. I knew games were out there, but I could never be bothered with them. Ha! Look what jumped up and bit me on the left cheek. I'm into games. Spent all day playing them. It's addicting and I may need some sort of step program. To clear a few things up before you ask, no I'm not into role playing or dice or whatever else is floating out there. Blowing things up doesn't do a thing for me. Nor do I enjoy running around killing virtual people, monsters or robots. I like geek games. Hidden objects, word puzzles, gem stones and all that.
It's sad that I've fallen so far, but come on there are so many free games and apps out there it makes it impossible to say no. It makes it even more impossible to write. Considering I have deadlines that is a really really bad thing.
So I've chosen to limit myself to playing games on my Ipod. No more taking up precious space on my MacBook. If I go through withdraws I'll be sure to whine and complain about it here. If anyone has a favorite hidden objects or treasure hunt game let me know. I promise to keep on the Ipod and away from my work area :)
Speaking of work I actual have been doing some of that stuff. Finished two new books with the great and talented Desiree Holt. They've been shipped to our editor and I'll be starting book three in the series today. When we hear back from her I'll be sure to let the rest of you know when, where and what.
No, I have not finished Wishes, Kisses, and Corpses. Yes, I'm a loser and slacker. Please, keep the mocking to a minimum. I'm delicate that way :) I will, however, have to finish it by the end of the month of face the wrath of the mighty Desiree Holt. I'll be staying with her right after RT. If I don't have it done...well let's just say she's a creative woman and would have no problems hiding the body. Remember me fondly if this should happen and lift a Diet Coke in my honor.
On to brighter news: The third book in the Club Botticelli series has been contracted with Total E-Bound. The book, Beguiling Briley, ended up a bit longer than I expected, but I feel its the best one yet. Look at my website for more information on the series and the individual books.
Also for those of you interested I'll be at the Wild Rose Press retreat in Bandera, TX at the end of the month. I'll be giving a workshop on the joys and miseries of co-writing. Come by and say hi if your in the neighborhood. Better yet sign up for a four day conference with horse back riding, good food and great people. I'll be there with Brenna Zinn Saturday doing our workshop. I'd love for you to stop by and say hi.
That's it for now. I'll head back to my work in progress and ignore the lure of my hidden objects games. Ahh, the temptation.
Kudos, Allie
It's sad that I've fallen so far, but come on there are so many free games and apps out there it makes it impossible to say no. It makes it even more impossible to write. Considering I have deadlines that is a really really bad thing.
So I've chosen to limit myself to playing games on my Ipod. No more taking up precious space on my MacBook. If I go through withdraws I'll be sure to whine and complain about it here. If anyone has a favorite hidden objects or treasure hunt game let me know. I promise to keep on the Ipod and away from my work area :)
Speaking of work I actual have been doing some of that stuff. Finished two new books with the great and talented Desiree Holt. They've been shipped to our editor and I'll be starting book three in the series today. When we hear back from her I'll be sure to let the rest of you know when, where and what.
No, I have not finished Wishes, Kisses, and Corpses. Yes, I'm a loser and slacker. Please, keep the mocking to a minimum. I'm delicate that way :) I will, however, have to finish it by the end of the month of face the wrath of the mighty Desiree Holt. I'll be staying with her right after RT. If I don't have it done...well let's just say she's a creative woman and would have no problems hiding the body. Remember me fondly if this should happen and lift a Diet Coke in my honor.
On to brighter news: The third book in the Club Botticelli series has been contracted with Total E-Bound. The book, Beguiling Briley, ended up a bit longer than I expected, but I feel its the best one yet. Look at my website for more information on the series and the individual books.
Also for those of you interested I'll be at the Wild Rose Press retreat in Bandera, TX at the end of the month. I'll be giving a workshop on the joys and miseries of co-writing. Come by and say hi if your in the neighborhood. Better yet sign up for a four day conference with horse back riding, good food and great people. I'll be there with Brenna Zinn Saturday doing our workshop. I'd love for you to stop by and say hi.
That's it for now. I'll head back to my work in progress and ignore the lure of my hidden objects games. Ahh, the temptation.
Kudos, Allie
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The Art of Writing
Someone recently told me how lucky I was to be a writer. After all, what could be easier than working in my jammies and not really working. HA, if this person hadn't been a VIP to someone important to me I would have stood up and walked away at the very least.
Here's a hint for those not in the know. Writing is hard work, very hard work. It takes dedication, perseverance and commitment. Not to mention talent and very thick skin. Bad reviews, scalding rejections all take their tolls, but a writer keeps true to themselves and their characters.
It's not so much the need to get published though there is that, but it's almost a compulsion to write out the stories in their heads. The twists and turns of each plot take over our minds and lives until we have no choice, but to commit the tale to paper. To give it life and watch it grow.
Working from home isn't easy. There are tons of distractions with family, friends and strangers all dropping by, calling or making their presence known one way or another. Most don't understand or don't want to understand that work is really work and you can't just walk away to go shopping or out to lunch. 'You can do it later'. Yeah, because free time just falls from trees in a writer's world.
With so many other things going on in our lives, sitting down at the computer takes a concentrated effort. Yes, there are many other things I'd rather do on a sunny Spring day, but I make myself sit there and write about whatever storyline is going on in my head.
It all boils down to this if I don't write I don't get paid. The end. Like everyone else on the planet I have bills. In order to pay these bills I need income. My income just happens to come from one of the greatest jobs in the world, writing. So I write to give life to my characters and to pay those pesky bills.
Next time you think the writer's life is simple and easy try this. Go to your computer, sit down and write something. Not anything big, maybe just a thousand words. How long did it take? Does the story flow? Do your characters have dimension? Will readers be able to identify with them? Will they love the hero and cheer for the heroine?
If you answered no to any of these questions, tough luck, you need to start over. Now doesn't that suck?
Welcome to the easy world of being a writer.
Here's a hint for those not in the know. Writing is hard work, very hard work. It takes dedication, perseverance and commitment. Not to mention talent and very thick skin. Bad reviews, scalding rejections all take their tolls, but a writer keeps true to themselves and their characters.
It's not so much the need to get published though there is that, but it's almost a compulsion to write out the stories in their heads. The twists and turns of each plot take over our minds and lives until we have no choice, but to commit the tale to paper. To give it life and watch it grow.
Working from home isn't easy. There are tons of distractions with family, friends and strangers all dropping by, calling or making their presence known one way or another. Most don't understand or don't want to understand that work is really work and you can't just walk away to go shopping or out to lunch. 'You can do it later'. Yeah, because free time just falls from trees in a writer's world.
With so many other things going on in our lives, sitting down at the computer takes a concentrated effort. Yes, there are many other things I'd rather do on a sunny Spring day, but I make myself sit there and write about whatever storyline is going on in my head.
It all boils down to this if I don't write I don't get paid. The end. Like everyone else on the planet I have bills. In order to pay these bills I need income. My income just happens to come from one of the greatest jobs in the world, writing. So I write to give life to my characters and to pay those pesky bills.
Next time you think the writer's life is simple and easy try this. Go to your computer, sit down and write something. Not anything big, maybe just a thousand words. How long did it take? Does the story flow? Do your characters have dimension? Will readers be able to identify with them? Will they love the hero and cheer for the heroine?
If you answered no to any of these questions, tough luck, you need to start over. Now doesn't that suck?
Welcome to the easy world of being a writer.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
New Blog, New Topic & Same old me
Either I've seen the light or just got tired of hearing friends tell me how old & tired MySpace is. So here I am with a new blog and a new look. This will change as I get better at playing with layouts, fonts and such. Give me enough time and who knows where I'll end up.
To play catch up for those of you not following me in ghetto land:
Club Botticelli series: The first book, Ordering Olivia, will be released sometime in August. Enticing Emma, the sequel, will follow a month or so later. Beguiling Briley is in the hands of my Total E-Bound Editor. I'll let you know what I know when I know it. Teasing Trinity is in baby steps right now. Only a page or two written, but so far she's already bleeding people with her sharp tongue.
The amazing Desiree Holt and I are one again teaming up to write together. This time we're tackling a family trilogy. Very hot, very steamy and very fun to write. If you haven't caught it before, our steamy V-Day offering, Seductive Illusions, is up for sale at Ellora's Cave. Our next release, Kidnapping The Groom, will be available on April 30. It's our take on female power and never piss a good woman off.
Right now I knee deep in my own project, Wishes, Kisses, & Corpses. Is it wrong to have so much fun torturing my characters?I mean really, the hero is all set to take it home & I throw in every obstacle I can think of. Just because it's fun...for me at least. I want to see how much torture a man can take before his head starts spinning and nasty pea soup spit out of his mouth.
Brenna Zinn and I are also have a very good time poking at the characters in our collaborated work. She'd never had a writing partner before...probably never will again after me! I love my work and I'm so good at it, too.
Hmmm, New Orleans was amazing. The perfect time of year to go when the humidity doesn't kill you just stepping outside. I bought too much junk for the kiddos, ate too many times at Cafe Dumond. I met great people, spent time with one of my favorite's, Desiree Holt and in general ran around like a fool.
As I said before, to those of you who asked, Vegas is a blur. Can't remember a thing. Guess what happens there, really stays there, huh?
So anyway, welcome to the new blog. Please stop calling me ghetto girl behind my back now that I've changed blogs. Comment away I can handle it :)
To play catch up for those of you not following me in ghetto land:
Club Botticelli series: The first book, Ordering Olivia, will be released sometime in August. Enticing Emma, the sequel, will follow a month or so later. Beguiling Briley is in the hands of my Total E-Bound Editor. I'll let you know what I know when I know it. Teasing Trinity is in baby steps right now. Only a page or two written, but so far she's already bleeding people with her sharp tongue.
The amazing Desiree Holt and I are one again teaming up to write together. This time we're tackling a family trilogy. Very hot, very steamy and very fun to write. If you haven't caught it before, our steamy V-Day offering, Seductive Illusions, is up for sale at Ellora's Cave. Our next release, Kidnapping The Groom, will be available on April 30. It's our take on female power and never piss a good woman off.
Right now I knee deep in my own project, Wishes, Kisses, & Corpses. Is it wrong to have so much fun torturing my characters?I mean really, the hero is all set to take it home & I throw in every obstacle I can think of. Just because it's fun...for me at least. I want to see how much torture a man can take before his head starts spinning and nasty pea soup spit out of his mouth.
Brenna Zinn and I are also have a very good time poking at the characters in our collaborated work. She'd never had a writing partner before...probably never will again after me! I love my work and I'm so good at it, too.
Hmmm, New Orleans was amazing. The perfect time of year to go when the humidity doesn't kill you just stepping outside. I bought too much junk for the kiddos, ate too many times at Cafe Dumond. I met great people, spent time with one of my favorite's, Desiree Holt and in general ran around like a fool.
As I said before, to those of you who asked, Vegas is a blur. Can't remember a thing. Guess what happens there, really stays there, huh?
So anyway, welcome to the new blog. Please stop calling me ghetto girl behind my back now that I've changed blogs. Comment away I can handle it :)
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