Posts Tagged ‘love’

I’m writing a love story that could probably be classified as women’s fiction. I don’t feel like my work is targeted at women specifically, because so much of it is about Ryan and from his perspective, but if it had to be categorized it would fit into women’s fiction, chick lit, whatever you want to call it.

What it’s not…an erotic romance. There are some sexual situations, but things never get hot and heavy on the page. That being said, who doesn’t love a little “romance”, right?

Well I have two things to share…

First, I want to give props to a fellow writer and friend of mine, E. Jamie. She’s published through Amira Press and has some great work out there. I recently purchased her book Redemption, and was surprised just how much I could enjoy a western. She really does a great job and captures the old West in a super sexy way.

Second, I just finished watching this Nightline piece on the 60th Anniversary of Harlequin romance novels. This is truly a must-see. Not only do you learn a lot about Harlequin as a publishing company and how successful they are right now (sales up 32%), but you also get to hear some notable people (Seth Rogen, Martin Bashir, and others) reading naughty excerpts. I especially enjoyed hearing Paul Rudd do a reading, hubba hubba.

Check it out:

I know it’s probably silly to keep posting about great things I find over on Le Love, but this is another great video that was posted there today. As I’ve mentioned before I’m always looking for translations and depictions of love in all varieties. The dialogue says so much about the reality of love, and a relationship.

As I try to build the tension between my characters, especially at the point where I’m at, it is even more helpful to hear, literally hear, words put together like this and expressed in this way. My characters right now are starting to sink into insecurity as a deadline approaches them, a fixed date that will separate them from each other. As that date gets closer they sink further and further into their insecurity, because neither is addressing the impending separation. She is not asking to stay, and he is not asking her to stay.

Love is incredibly frustrating and there are so many misunderstandings. How many times does one feel disappointed when their mate doesn’t meet their expectations? And so much about not meeting expectations is tied up in communication. My characters aren’t communicating right now as they should. Although they continue to make the most of their experience together, it’s getting harder and harder for them to push their insecurities aside for the sake of their moment.