Love is an Art

Having read books with sex scenes that varied from modest to very explicit, I have to admit that I am envious of those writers who can make those scenes live and breathe. Make your pulse rise with every word, and pull you into the depths of the scene to go along for the emotional ride that goes with a good sex scene. But it is definitely an art I have yet to perfect. There is undoubtedly lots of discussion about who does it well. I have a few favorites that represent this variation in writing, but I will only subject you to two.

Nora Roberts is by far, in my opinion, the best in pulling you into a love scene emotionally and not explaining it in detail or diminishing it with purple prose. I am currently listening to the Circle Trilogy, (which I have read already, but am indulging my need for books while at work.) and in the first book, the love scenes between Hoyt and Glenna just speak to me. They are tender, passionate, and there is no doubt what the characters are feeling or doing for that matter. *Insert whimsical sigh*

Laurell K. Hamilton tends to be a bit more graphic in her scenes, some might even say a bit vulgar and mindless. I believe that although the sex is quite frequent in her books, the scenes are no less meaningful or arousing. The sex here isn’t all hearts and flowers, love and romance, leading to the happily ever afters. These are scenes that are emotionally engaging because of the reasons behind the act. For me, the more detailed scenes and descriptions are fitting. These are stories of harsh worlds, where characters constantly face life and death, where sex is a means to an end in some cases. Yet there are scenes where tenderness is shown, and it is not just sex, it is a love scene that will tug at the heart strings.

The ways to write love scenes is as varied as the readers and writers out there. Finding the happy medium, where you can pour the emotion into your scenes, is entirely up to you. I am still searching for my happy medium and my comfort level.

Share some of your favorite writers and the reasons why you sigh, pant, or drool when you read their scenes.

 

~Mj

ack!

I completely spaced out blogging today!  And, at this very moment, I’m up to my eyeballs in making dinner.  So, for the sake of posting something…and because I know we all love a little man-candy…here’s a little beginning of the week inspiration.  May he make your writing prolific. :)  Smooches…

The perfect man poem…

This is not the one I was looking for, but–hehe–it’s cute.

***

The perfect man is gentle

Never cruel or mean

He has a beautiful smile

And keeps his face so clean.

 

The perfect man likes children

And will raise them by your side.

He will be a good father

As well as a good husband to his bride

 

The perfect man loves cooking

Cleaning and vacuuming too.

He’ll do anything in his power

To show his love to you.

 

The perfect man is sweet,

Writing poetry from your name.

He’s a best friend to your mother

And kisses away your pain.

 

He has never made you cry

Or hurt you in any way.

Oh, “to hell with this stupid poem,”

“Cause the perfect man is gay!”

HAPPY FRIDAY, Y’ALL!!

Midweek Inspiration

If you have been to my blog already and seen this I apologize for the duplication, but Ally trhought that I should post it here as well since we do have people who may not visit my blog. They showed this at work today, and I found it something that could be applied to me at this very moment, with all of the ups and downs I have had lately in my writing. So I thought I would share. Feel free to comment or not.

~MJ

monday morning rant

Consider yourself warned:  Today’s post is a rant. :( 

One of the first things newbie writers or writer wannabes do when they start out is buy, read, and research hordes of books by the bestselling authors in the genre they want to write, is it not?  We all want to learn from the best, right?  Something new writers don’t realize is that it’s generally advised to read those authors’ first books, not their newest.  Authors are usually given a little more leeway the more experiences/established they become, sometimes justifiably–they can better finagle the tricky spots–and sometimes not–sloppy editing on the assumption the writer know what he or she is doing.  That’s my gripe today.

I’m reading a category romance right now in a line that’s recently went through some changes.  I always liked the line before and, while I’m not ecstatic about the changes, it’s still a decent read and I think I might actually be able to write this.  If the book I’m reading right now is any indication, I can definitely write this.  I’ve caught more “telling” in this book than anything I’ve read in a long time (my stuff aside) and I’ve gotten hung up more than a dozen times on sentences like (and my examples are not from the story, BTW, to protect my own hide, but are close representations), “As realization hit Margie, she dropped to a chair, as she wrung her hands.”  WTH?

I bought this book and another to familiarize myself with the changes in the line and to get a better idea of what the editors are looking for.  I chose two bestselling authors, this book being by a name I’m sure most writers have at least heard in passing.  Let me interject that this is obviously not a first work of the author…my bad.  Anyhow, the ”telling” and sentence issues aren’t even the half of it, though.  I’ve found lots of little things, like the heroine constantly noticing the same thing about the hero over and over again (like how tanned his skin looks in contrast to his white shirts) and the repetitive use of the same, overexaggerated dialogue tags, when “said” would do just fine.

To me, the books seems more like a rough draft.  Of course, it does have some good parts, but I wouldn’t be blogging about it if it didn’t also have enough crap for me to stop and really take notice.  Obviously, being a writer, I read with a more critical eye that the average reader, but I can promise my sister-in-law, who shares my books, will notice the same things because they are so glaringly obvious.

I am no authority by any means, but this kind of stuff frustrates me to know end.  Namely because I don’t think that the editor, who probably only skimmed the story over because of who wrote it, did the author any justice.  I have never read this author before and probably won’t again now as reader, let alone a writer–unless, of course, I want to sharpen my editing skills.

What’s your take on established authors having more leeway?  Do you think it’s fair?  I do to a point–they’ve earned it–but at what point does it become a disservice?

Happy Monday!

~Ally  

sex and the romance novel

Sex and the romance novel seem to go hand in hand. It is part of what drives the story forward for some of us. Yet there are two very distinct views on how that sex should be carried out. Should the sex be behind closed doors, or are you a fan of the open door policy?

Anyone who knows Ally can guess which she is a fan of in both reading and writing… but let’s ask her why.

To be honest, I’m not entirely sure why I prefer the scoop when it comes to sex scenes.  As I’ve said before, when I got back into writing again, I liked to write sex because it was something that was lacking in my own life.  I was living vicariously through my heroines, I suppose.  In fact, at that time in my life, any book that had moderately detailed sex scenes was a hit with me, even if the plot wasn’t so hot.  Shallow, I know, but unfortunately true.  I think that what appealed to me then and is still true now, but for different reasons, is seeing not only the physical but emotional connection made between the characters.  In the heat of the moment, they shed their fears and inhibitions (hopefully) and truly expose themselves.  They take a risk by letting the other person so close and, while it sometimes comes back to bite them in the butt, that risk oftentimes leads to incredible bonding that really can’t be achieved any other way.  As a reader, I want to see that vulnerability, that intense connection.  I want to know the characters’ real personality and I think that sex scenes are a window, if you will, to that true character.  If the hero is Prince Charming outside of the bedroom, but is a selfish ass inside, he will probably prove to be generally selfish in the long run.  If he’s a tender, caring lover—even though he might be a seemingly reckless bad boy with his pants on—there’s usually a story there…a story I’m really going to want to know.  I’m going to jump on his bandwagon before the steam clears from the windows and that book won’t leave my hands until I turn the last page.  As a writer, I want to give my readers that same kind of experience.  I want them to love my characters as much as I do and I think showing them at their weakest—or strongest, depending how you look at it—can really accomplish that.

Being a recent romance novelist convert, MJ devours open door sex scenes, yet tends to desire keeping that door closed when writing. Why you might ask?

Totally a comfort level thing for me, yet Ally has pushed me beyond that boundary with her ever present critique of my scenes and constant “It’s good, but I need more.” God love her for that. To me the sex in a romance novel enhances the love story. There is just something vulnerable about putting yourself in that position with someone you love. Emotions seem to run higher when sex is involved. The opportunity to really peak behind the curtain of your hero and see a side that may not be revealed at any other point in the novel, which in turn can bring you much closer to his character. The same holds true for the heroine. She may come off more brazen, let down her inhibitions, and take what she wants. There are so many opportunities to explore the depths of your characters, their deepest hidden emotions. I don’t think a romance book would be the same without the hot and heavy sex scenes. I will concede that there are some very awesome and heart wrenching love stories that contain closed door scenes that work very well, and anyone that can convey the emotion between their characters without allowing you to see them at their most vulnerable moments in the bedroom… more power to you. It is difficult for me. (Then again writing sex in general tends to be a bit daunting for me.) 

So, which are you a fan of and why? You know us, we are huge fans of sharing… especially when we dish sex! So give it up.

~MJ & Ally

Stronger

I know I did this last week, yet I discovered this song last night and it really spoke to me and felt the need to share. So Ally and I hope you enjoy it. It is a song we can both totally relate to.

 

 

Especially these words …..

I’m gonna love myself more than anyone else
Believe in me, even if someone can’t see
A stronger woman in me
I’m gonna be my own best friend
Stick with me till the end
I won’t lose myself again, never, no
‘Cause there’s a stronger woman,
A stronger woman

 

~MJ

off the deep end again

I’ve done it again.  I’ve signed up for yet another writing challenge. 

Anyone who has paid attention knows that I don’t have a great track record with writing challenges.  I usually hit a road block, flake, and never get back going again.  I did it with my own fast drafting challenge a few months ago.   I did it with a Divas RoDiWriMo in February.   I even did it with Sven, which is a slower, 70 day challenge, for God’s sake.  I did however manage to kick some butt with NaNo and I’m hoping—fingers crossed—that I can rediscover the mojo I was feeling then and make it work for me now. 

Divas Fast Draft starts in two days and I’m looking to redeem myself by haulin’ some major ass for two weeks.  Like 15-ish pages a day ass haulin’ is what I’m talking about.  I’m nuts, I know.  I’m lucky I can get 5 pages done, let alone 15.  But, again…it’s only for two weeks.  Two measly weeks out of my life.  I can totally do that. 

So, check back next week to see how I’m doing.  Will I flake again?  Or will I find my redemption?

(Feel free to make bets )

~Ally

ETA:  Since no one tried to guess at my lyrics contest last week, I went ahead about ordered myself Gena Showalter’s The Darkest Night.  So, in a way…thanks for not trying. LOL

Hey Baby what’s Your Sign?

Oh the joys of pick up lines. That’s what we are dishing today. Just for fun, let’s take a gander at some of these beauties I found…

 

1. Are your legs tired? ’cause you been running through my mind ALL day long.
2. Look at you with all those curves, and me with no brakes.
3. I’m new in town. Can you give me direction to your apartment?
4. I’m feeling a little off today. Would you like to turn me on?
5. You can forget about going to heaven because it’s a sin to look that good.
6. Baby you look so sweet you’re giving me a cavity.
7. Be unique and different, say yes.
8. I’m fighting the urge to make you the happiest woman on earth tonight.
9. Gee, that’s a nice set of legs, what time do they open?
10. Should I call you in the morning or nudge you?

I can just see the hero in a romance novel making away with the heroine for some hot and heavy entanglements after delivering one of these lines. What are some pick up lines you have heard, used, or written?

 

~MJ

So I’m Slacking

Or is that lacking? Maybe it’s both. This blog should have been written last night. That obviously didn’t happen. Truth be told, my brain is feeling a little fried as of late. Too much trying to crowd its way in I guess, not to mention the amount of info I am trying to squeeze out I guess.

Those of you who know me will even be shocked to hear that my daydreaming of hunky hot men has even suffered. (Pause for stunned silence) I know. I mean I really KNOW! No amount of beer, Schmirnoff, or decadent desserts has been able to pry me from the clutches of whatever unknown affliction that has managed to take hold of me.

I am desperate. I need help. Call in the men in white lab coats, (the better looking the more likely I am to co-operate). Even though the writing and editing seem to be going well, and my dedicated CP has been keeping me accountable, I am just not feeling it. So, instead of a wonderful blog that I had intended to write, I am sitting rambling. To try to save myself from completely embarrassing myself, I have decided to find something that always picks me up.

 

~MJ