I’m excited to welcome back Lori Wilde, who visited with us last October. I met Lori at RT almost exactly a year ago, but I discovered her books long before that. Without further ado – here’s Lori!
At this point in time, stories about small town communities are selling very well. Many attribute this to the current economy. Readers are looking for a soft place to land amidst the chaos of job loss, runaway national debt and cataclysmic natural disasters. These community based stories are a throwback to a different time, when families lived close by and neighbors looked after each other. When we grew our own food and made our own clothes. When we shared food and crafts in giddy proportions.
It’s a good theory, but I think something else might be at work here as well. At the same time community oriented stories are on the rise, romantic suspense, a once red-hot genre has slumped into the doldrums. Romantic suspense and action/adventure stories are by and large external stories with the focus on the puzzle, the mystery, escaping villains, solving crimes, surviving danger or having adventures.
Now, this isn’t to say there’s not an internal story in romantic suspense and action/adventure. All romances have internal stories, but for the most part, romantic suspense and action/adventure are more focused on the external plot. The external plot is what makes the subgenre so exciting. Something is always happening.
But now we’ve seen a shift away from action-packed stories to more emotional, more internal tales. Is it because our hectic lives are making readers hanker for a more reflective read? Are they looking for uplifting stories in times of turmoil? Is a slower pace the big draw of small-town, community based reads? Or is it because it’s easier to connect with stories that mirror our own lives?
I have to confess. I love writing romantic comedy adventures. What brings readers to those types of stories is a high-tension, taut-action plot. But even though it is my favorite genre, I made a decision to turn away from external plotlines and focus more on writing internal stories. And that decision made all the difference in my career.
Some of it is luck. I recognize that. And timing. Plus, writing an internal story cannot become an excuse to neglect plotting and pacing. You still need to deliver tension and conflict, no matter what kind of book you’re writing. Descriptions of food, homes and friends having a good time isn’t going to carry a book.
So how does the writer of quieter stories create a page-turner to compete with the high-octane suspense, thrillers, mysteries and action/adventure?
The answer lies at the very core of these quieter stories. There’s a one-word answer as to why they work.
Emotion.
Internal stories have time to fully delve beneath the surface.
When you’re writing a suspense, the plot is pulling you along at break-neck speed. And yes, the characters in these books experience emotion. But, it’s all in relationship to the external plot. The authors of romantic suspense and action/adventure simply can’t spare valuable page time to nurturing and blooming deeper emotion.
Quiet stories are all about emotions. It is their strength. Their profound gift to the readers.
It’s important not to confuse emotion with melodrama and sentimentality. With real emotion, the emotional reactions of the characters must be motivated, reasonable and honest.
But far more important than the characters’ emotions are the emotional responses your story generates in the reader. Visceral emotions are the feelings your reader experiences as they immerse themselves in the story. In order to achieve that, the author must create vulnerable characters that readers can root for.
Put your characters in real life circumstances. Make them have hard choices with no easy way out. Do this and you’ll hold readers’ interest as surely as serial killer and stories of survival. Let’s say it again for emphasis.
The key to writing strong internal stories is emotion.
Deliver emotion and readers will follow you anywhere.
***
Lori, thanks so much for a great post! Are any of you writing a quiet, emotion-packed story? Two lucky commenters will win a copy of Lori’s new book, THE WELCOME HOME GARDEN CLUB: A Twilight, Texas Novel.
Join us on Wednesday, when Julia Coblentz, Senior Marketing Manager at PubIt!, explains how to get your book on the Nook – and market it, too!
***
Bio: LORI WILDE is the New York Times bestselling author of more than forty-five books. A former RITA finalist, Lori has received the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Holt Medallion, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers’ Choice, and numerous other honors. She lives in Weatherford, Texas, with her husband and a wide assortment of pets.
For more information visit www.loriwilde.com.
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Hi Lori,
Welcome back to RU!
In February, my editor wrote about bouncing back manuscripts because the action/adventure/suspense was overwhelming the romance/emotion http://tinyurl.com/3rvjv5u. I paid particular attention to her blog since I’m one of the bounce backs–three times. I obviously have a suspense addiction.
Any advice? This is my debut book, so maybe it will get easier with more experience. But I’m finding it really hard to reduce the suspense and tap deeper into the emotional well.
How hard did you find the transition from writing adventure to quieter novels?
Thanks,
Tracey
Posted by TraceyDevlyn | April 18, 2011, 4:39 amHi Tracey,
Thanks for your terrific question. I have to admit, it’s still an ongoing process as I find more and more ways of adding emotion. There are all kinds of ways of deepening the emotion. The first way is to go back to the basics of stimulus and response and make sure your adding more emotional reaction to the external stimulus. If you bear with me, I’ll post a mini-lecture on emotion.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 9:46 amHi Lori. Welcome back! I just had an aha moment reading your post. Not long ago I needed to submit a proposal to my editor for my next book. My editor told me to make sure the characterization and the development of the romantic relationship show through. She said she sees a lot of authors submit too many details on the external plot rather than the emotional growth of the characters.
It sounds like you and my editor are of the same mind!
Thanks for a great post!
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | April 18, 2011, 6:12 amAdrienne,
Here’s the honest truth. Readers read romance for the emotional experience. If you’re so focused on face-paced action, the reader has no time to catch their breath and fully experience what the characters are going through. Hang on, I’m going to post a mini-lecture on adding emotion.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 9:49 amLOL. That should be fast-paced. Please forgive my typos. Between writing and teaching and going to school myself, I write around 10,000 words a day and sometimes my brain can’t keep up with my fingers.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 10:32 amHi Lori – I feel like you wrote this just for me! I like to write romantic suspense, but as a lifelong mystery reader, I tend to over-complicate the plot. I have to keep reminding myself that much as I enjoy Alfred Hitchcock-type twist endings, that’s not what I’m writing. I need to get a plaque that says, “It’s the EMOTION, dummy!” and hang it above my computer.
The best advice I got was when I critique partner, who had witnessed my battles to keep the plot focused, asked which I wanted to write more – a mystery or a romance? I didn’t even hesitate. When I comes to writing, I’m all about the romance. That was a light-bulb moment for me.
Your post has underlined this. Thank you so much!
Posted by Becke Martin/Davis | April 18, 2011, 6:53 amBecke,
Absolutely! You have to focus on the needs of your audience. And if you’re writing for a romance audience, emotion is queen.
Lori
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 10:21 amHi Lori,
In our rational world, it’s hard to give in to emotions. There’s no crying in the office. Laughing can be a no no too. My stories are set in the city. I focus on the loneliness of being a face in the crowd. I want her to break out from the noise and bustle and find her heart.
Mary Jo
Posted by Mary Jo Burke | April 18, 2011, 7:22 amNo crying at the office? I never got the memo. LOL. I cry at the drop of a hat. Good thing I don’t work in corporate America.
Seriously, all stories need that emotional component. It’s the thing that truly bonds the reader to your characters.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 10:20 amHi, Lori –
Welcome back to RU – we always love having you here. My first two manuscripts were “small town” stories tinged with a southern girl’s snarky humor (tell me if I’m wrong, Tracey and Adrienne
). I queried them two-three years ago and kept hearing that contemporaries weren’t selling and that I didn’t have enough external plot.
Now, I’ve been wondering if it’s time to get those back out and revise them. I wouldn’t say they’re deep, dark emotional reads, but they are character-focused.
Any words of advice?
Thanks so much!
Kelsey
Posted by Kelsey Browning | April 18, 2011, 8:30 amEverything cycles back around and right now, small town community based romances are all the rave, so yes, pull those books out and give them a second look.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 9:54 amThanks, Lori!
Posted by Kelsey Browning | April 18, 2011, 6:05 pmMorning Lori!
Great post as always! I’ve got a story that I keep pecking away at that’s set in small town, has many emotional elements etc. And I find I have to stop myself from throwing in a killer or a drug dealer or a *insert villain of choice here* and make it about the emotion instead. When I sent off a synopsis for the ms I’m currently working on, they said it was too action packed – where’s the emotional arc?
So, back to the drawing board a bit, and reining in all those villains who want a piece of my story! Down boys!
=)
carrie
Posted by Carrie Spencer | April 18, 2011, 9:07 amHi Carrie, good to see you again.
Lori
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 10:22 amWell said!
Posted by Dana | April 18, 2011, 9:43 amI feel that with all of the frustrations of raising children, job duties and daily life in general, we all need to remember to step back and learn to put these things into the proper perspective. Learning to laugh at life and not take it too seriously is absolutely necessary for our physical and mental health. Therefore, I love to have a book to relax with at the end of the day that incorporates life with a bit of humor.
Connie Fischer
conniecape@aol.com
Posted by Connie Fischer | April 18, 2011, 9:48 amConnie,
Humor adds to any romance. It’s up to the author to match the humor to the tone of the book. You don’t want slapstick in a dark thriller, but there can still be moments of levity.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 9:59 amHi Lori
I’m so glad I stumbled onto your books and your one of those authors who is now an auto buy for me. I read in all genres and I do enjoy the ocassional romantic suspense, but what really grabs me and holds on are the contemps. I love finding a read that brings out emotion in me and takes me through tears and laughter. Life is chaotic and when I need to unwind, I want a heartwarming story that will put me in a better mood when I end the story from when I started it. I love small town settings in a story. It’s funny actually, I’m living in a very small town right now and absolutely hate it. I’m from a much bigger town and moved here with my husband for his job four years ago and I can’t wait to get out of this tiny town. My favorites reads are those set in small towns. Kind of ironic, but I love the quirky characters that come from small town settings. The nosy neighbors, the local gossip, the family ties and I love it when a character escapes the small town they were raised in only to come home and find out that the place they escaped from is where they really belong.
june111(at)att(dot)net
Posted by Jolene A | April 18, 2011, 9:56 amHi Jolene,
Thank you for your comments. In reality, if you’re not from the small town, it can take time to break through the barriers of the residents. They can tend to be clannish. I’ve found that getting involved in the community can help people accept you quicker. Then again, every small town has it’s own personality.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 10:05 amI totally get that. We were in a hurry to change our license plates when we first got here because we were getting dirty looks from people. They don’t tend to like outsiders and are all about taking care of there own. The company my husband works for is a big company where we are from, but they are semi new to California and are branching out and moving south. I think them opening a store here was a bad idea, it’s been a struggle. It’s gotten better but for a while people were protesting it, because it takes business away from the smaller store here. I totally understand how that goes because it affects the store my husband manages profits and his paycheck as well. Small town living is not for me, but it’s what I always look for in a good read
Posted by Jolene A | April 18, 2011, 3:04 pmMystery/Romance are my favorites kind of books.
Posted by Marlene Schwark | April 18, 2011, 9:56 amWhat do you like best about mysteries?
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 2:46 pmI’ve started a couple different stories and hope to get back to them soon. One is suspense and the other one is a quiet, emotion packed story loosely based on my life growing up.
When I’m not writing I read a lot. I give in to the emotions conveyed in the book I’m reading and become completely engulfed. I become all of the characters and feel every emotion the author inserts into the book.
Posted by Amber Marr | April 18, 2011, 9:57 amAmber! You’re the ideal reader. Just take what you learn and apply it to your own writing.
Lori
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 10:07 amHere’s an excerpt from my course on adding emotion to your writing.
STIMULUS AND RESPONSE
My first formal introduction to stimulus and response came by way of the seminal work of Dwight Swain in a book that changed my life. In Techniques of the Selling Writer, Swain calls them motivation reaction units.
Stimulus and response (or MRU per Swain) is simple. It’s not sophisticated. But it is the first building block of powerful fiction. Stimulus and response will provide the solid foundation for all the razzle-dazzle to come. Without stimulus and response, everything else could fall in on you.
Stimulus is anything that happens out of your point of view character. It’s the thing they see, smell, taste, touch or hear. Response is what your character thinks, feels, does or says in reaction to the stimulus. There are three parts to the response: the feeling, the reflex action, and the thought or speech. Here’s the most important thing to understand: The stimulus is external and objective, but the response is internal and subjective.
You start with the stimulus—always. After all, a character cannot react to something he or she has not yet experienced through at least one of the five senses. Because the stimulus is external and objective, that’s the way it’s presented.
Here’s an example from my book The Sweethearts’ Knitting Club.
(stimulus) “How you doin’, Dimples?” Jesse asked in his sexy Southern drawl. “Long time no see.”
It is the response phase that’s internal and subjective, and that’s the way you’ll present it, as filtered through the lens of your viewpoint character.
It follows then that the response is more complicated than the stimulus. Obviously, internal reactions occur in different ways than the stimulus. If you saw a sofa fall off a truck right in front of you on the highway, you’d have time for only one thing—fright. Within a split second, you’d have to swerve to miss the sofa. But quickly after that instinctive reaction, you’d respond from logic. You would take further action, pull off the road, call 911, tremble, and perhaps burst into tears.
As an author, you should show the full complexities of your character’s response in this exact order, from the fastest to the slowest. If they occur out of order, they won’t feel right to the reader, and you’ll destroy the illusion of reality. You don’t want your readers to put the book down just because they’re vaguely aware that something is out of step. It’s your job as a writer to make sure that those steps don’t go awry.
Example:
(response) (feeling) She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, she was as brainless as if she’d just been struck on the head by lightning. (thought) He was the only person on earth who’d ever called her Dimples.
Notice in this example I’ve only used feeling and thought. I left out action. Whether to use one, two or all three elements of the response is up to you and the story. If you want a more emotional moment, use all three with each response. If you want to pick up the pace, then use just one of the elements of the response.
Now, within the immediate stimulus and response sequence, there are four ways you can communicate the emotions in the response. Or rather I should say there are four levels, each one more sophisticated than the last
The simplest, most direct and least effective is to tell us how the character felt. There will be times when this is exactly the method you want to use (when you want to tell something quickly), but it’s not one you want to use most often or it will lead to a flat, uninvolving story.
Level One: Joanie felt sad.
The second level is to use the emotional word and combine it with a physical action. This is more effective than level one, but it still doesn’t pack the most bang for your bucks.
Level Two: Sadness pulled Joanie’s shoulders into a slump.
The third level is to not mention to the emotion at all, but rather show it all through the character’s body language, actions and/or internal monologue.
Level Three: Joanie blinked and clenched her jaw. I won’t cry. I refuse to cry. A tear slid down her cheek, and plopped onto her desk with a wet splat.
The fourth level is to describe the stimulus and then have the pov character react in an unanticipated way. Not only does this method convey deeper emotion, but it also increases reader interest as it raises the story question: Why is the character reacting this way?
Level Four: The party was in full swing. Everyone in the office was smiling and hugging and celebrating. Champagne flowed. Dancing music throbbed. A sheet cake the size of Rhode Island dominated the conference room table, the smell of strawberry fondant frosting lingered in the hallway.
Joanie blinked and clenched her jaw. I won’t cry. I refuse to cry. A tear slid down her cheek, and plopped onto her desk with a wet splat.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 9:57 amTHIS is my favorite section of your class. I read this over and over. I refer to it whenever I’m doing my revising to make sure I have the reaction in the right order. Brilliant.
=)
carrie
Posted by Carrie Spencer | April 18, 2011, 10:16 amLove this! I’m a stimulus/response freak. Makes me crazy when I find I’ve put the response first.
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | April 18, 2011, 1:09 pmLOL – I drive Adrienne crazy a lot.
Posted by TraceyDevlyn | April 18, 2011, 7:02 pmLori,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this with us. I’m printing it out now. So Fab.
Posted by TraceyDevlyn | April 18, 2011, 7:03 pmI am not a writerk, just a reader. Love to read and love to find new authors and books to read. Am a fan of Lori’s on facebook and would love to win this book. She is a new author for me and can’t wait to get and read this book.
Thanks for the giveaway and keep on writing the great books.
Posted by Chris Bails | April 18, 2011, 10:00 amThere’s no such thing as just a reader! Without readers, writers are nothing.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 10:11 amI enjoyed your chat with Lori Wilde. I am thinking about writing my next Short Story on Small Town Communities. I know I wish I lived in one! I hate the fear that you live with in a large city. I am going to have to check out her book.
Hopefully I may win it??
Micky
Posted by Michelle Brown | April 18, 2011, 10:01 amHi Michelle,
I grew up in a small town just outside of Flint, MI. The small communities have their drawbacks but are, in general, where I want to be. I’ve lived downtown in a larger city but always find my way back to small towns. The best part about the small towns I’ve lived in (and currently live in) is that they have always been close enough to larger cities to make shopping, dining, and entertaining very convenient.
Maybe the opportunity to live in a small town will come your way one day!
Amber
Posted by Amber Marr | April 18, 2011, 10:07 amAmber,
That’s how my small town is. Only 25 minutes from a big city.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 10:17 amThank you for so much information. Trying to create characters that readers can care about and who exhibit emotion are difficult to get right. I’ll keep trying.
Posted by Kim Myers | April 18, 2011, 10:04 amKim,
It’s just the tip of the iceberg. I learn something new about adding emotion every day.
Lori
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 10:16 amHi Lori! Thank you for posting this on your facebook status, this looks like a great community…I think I shall visit for a while…maybe all day! Though I am mostly a reader, occassionally I will get the urge to sit and write some of these stories in my head on paper, so this looks like a great place to help me do just that.
From a reader’s prospective (and I read alot…part of the reason I have so much trouble actually sitting down to write), one who used to love romantic suspense books, I’ve found that one reason I steer away from them is that there isn’t usually alot of ROMANCE in the books, they tend to focus solely on the suspense aspect…it was like I was reading something my dad would read (he likes suspense, thrillers), he would have loved these books except that they had the word ‘romance’ somewhere on the cover so he wouldn’t be caught dead reading it (and yes, I’ve read the books my dad reads, and they actually do have some steamy sex scenes thrown in them, but the main focus is the plotline and not anything romance driven). So…as a reader, when I want a good romance, it has to be about the romance first and the action second.
As for the small-town romances selling like crazy…again, as a reader, I want to be able to immerse myself into a fairytale. What is nice about these books is that there are alot of different characters that we meet along the way who may (or may not) appear at a later date with their own stories to tell. My personal opinion…if something has the possibility of being a ‘series’, a giant soap opera (especially now that they are cancelling all the soap operas!), it is usually an automatic buy for me.
Posted by wendy p | April 18, 2011, 10:09 amThank you so much for your thoughtful post, Wendy. Writing is hard work, isn’t it! I love writing series for exactly the reason you pinpoint. We get to see what those secondary characters are up to in each subsequent book. The author builds a community with their characters and their readers.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 10:13 amMystery/romance reader who would love to win your book!
Posted by Kathy P | April 18, 2011, 10:13 amHi Kathy,
Thanks for posting.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 11:39 amWow – it’s a party here today! Lori, thanks so much for sharing your STIMULUS AND RESPONSE workshop excerpt. It’s a fantastic bonus, and very helpful. I’m taking notes!
Posted by Becke Martin/Davis | April 18, 2011, 10:15 amYou’re so welcome.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 10:29 amI am looking forward to reading your new book:):)
Posted by LorettaLynn | April 18, 2011, 10:17 amThanks Loretta. I hope you enjoy it.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 10:28 amI admit I am a voracious reader. I’ll read anything with romance in it, and sometimes a little Dean Koontz. I especially love emotional books that pack a punch.
Posted by Regina Shiderly | April 18, 2011, 10:28 amThanks for the comment.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 11:33 amThese stories just feel so very real to me. I loved reading The First Love Cookie Club & Quilting Club. Granted, the characters are a little more quirky than people I know. But there are strange people in every neighborhood. There are smiles and tears and all sorts of emotion.
Posted by Lisa Hutson | April 18, 2011, 10:36 amWell, you do need that larger-than-life quality to make things interesting.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 11:29 amgreat read i am really looking for to purchasing and reading your new book
Posted by taniesha lacy | April 18, 2011, 10:44 amThanks Taniesha!
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 11:28 amI loved the article and your comment about small towns and the clannishness they can have. I grew up in a small town so I am used to being part of that family and everyone knowing your business and helping out. Now I am living in a different small town and I am experiencing the other side of that. All of the other moms if my kids friends have grown up together and known each other for years and it’s been hard to become part of that group.
Posted by Bridgett | April 18, 2011, 10:53 amThat must be an eye opener to have the shoe on the other foot. It’s difficult to overcome a shared history.
Lori
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 11:30 amSimple – if there is no emotion how can you feel or be immersed in your story. Books are for releasing emotion and getting lost in the story – to laugh, cry, be full of joy or heartbroken. But for an author to craft a story where they hook the reader in, now that is a job well done.
Posted by Kay | April 18, 2011, 10:56 amIt’s not an easy thing to do. The average reader has no idea how difficult writing is. Great authors just make it look easy.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 11:29 amI will never look at a book again, in the same light as I use too. After taking your class online. I have a new respect and understanding of what authors goes through for their readers. Thanks Lori.
Posted by Toni D | April 18, 2011, 11:54 amThanks, Toni. It’s only taken me 20 years to figure some of this stuff out.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 12:00 pmI moved to a small New England Town 10 years ago, and it is SO hard to be an outsider in a small town ! I had two small children..and worked really hard at breaking into the the “groups” so they would be accepted.
Lori I love your books ! Thanks for the excerpt on Stimulus and Response ..I learned alot …I am just starting my first writing, and trying to read as much advice as I can.
Wishing you all the best with ‘The Welcome Home Garden Club’ I am looking forward to reading it, you combined my two favorite things …Reading and Gardening
Kym
Posted by kym Amaral | April 18, 2011, 11:03 amI’ve heard those stoic, small town New Englanders can be a particularly hard nut to crack. But that’s what creates a lot of conflict in small town stories. The stranger comes to town and tries to fit in.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 11:32 amI have not read any of this series yet but I love small town stories and this one sounds really good. I would love to find out why she was told that he had died.
Posted by June M. | April 18, 2011, 11:06 amThat’s a big part of the story, June.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 11:32 amWell said! I’m not a (published) writer, yet … just an avid reader. I definitely get the draw from both emotionally charged quiet stories, and suspenseful action/adventure stories.
I’m from a small town and when life gets too hectic, it’s nice to escape to simpler times. The emotion is absolutely what keeps the book going!
Love your books Lori! Keep ‘em coming!!
Posted by Kim Lyn | April 18, 2011, 11:45 amThanks Kim. My middle name is Lyn with one n.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 12:06 pmI took your online “Romance Writing Secrets” class and LOVED it. You always give such great advice
Posted by Christina Durner | April 18, 2011, 11:52 amAre you writing, Christina? Thanks for the comment. I’ll be giving up Ed2go soon. After finally making the NYT list I’m in a position where I no longer have to work so hard.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 12:02 pmSent that before I was finished…
But teaching has been very rewarding for me and it’s made me a much better writer. Thank you for taking the class.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 12:03 pmSorry to see you leaving the Ed2Go classes Lori – I highly recommended them to all new romance writers! But tickled you’re on the NYT list and happy for you at a little break in your hectic schedule….congrats!
carrie
Posted by Carrie Spencer | April 18, 2011, 3:42 pmI love your books. I really enjoy the stories that take place in small towns – I think it is because the books are like the small towns themselves. When reading the books you become part of the small town and get to know what is happening in everyones lives. You feel like you are a part of the sewing circle or book club and get to catch up on all of the gossp going on in town. When I read these types of books, they remind me of the small (and I mean very small) town my mom came from – when we would visit my grandparents it would be announced in the local paper – Rose M and her family were in town visiting Joe and Elsie S. Everyone knew you and who you were related to. I’m introduced as Rosie’s youngest. Too funny!
Posted by Josie R. | April 18, 2011, 11:55 amYes, it’s hard to shake your history in a small town, but that’s what makes it so rich for story conflict.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 12:01 pmRomance in all forms…truly the SPICE of life.
Posted by Doris Stewart | April 18, 2011, 11:57 amYou said Doris!
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 12:01 pmUgh, that was supposed to be: You said it, Doris. I have got to stop typing so fast.
Lori
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 12:20 pmI have really enjoyed reading your article; it’s always fun and interesting to learn what authors must take into consideration when writing. When I read, my thoughts are ususally about the talent, imagination, and creativity an author demonstrates. I’ve always had such a good time, totally absorbed in the story, that I never thought about the other things that go into the book. So, I guess that means you were doing your job!
I’m one of your newer fans. I loved The Welcome Home Garden Club and look forward to reading the other books in the Twilight, Texas series.
Thanks again for some great food for thought and for your books; keep on writing, please!
Posted by Karen C | April 18, 2011, 12:01 pmThank you for your lovely post, Karen. Welcome to the Twilight, Texas series.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 12:04 pmLori, love your books, would love to read a romance comedy that would be great! Agatha
Posted by Agatha P. Townsend | April 18, 2011, 12:50 pmMy early books from Grand Central were romantic comedy adventures. They’re out of print now. :<
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 12:52 pmHave you read Christie Craig? She writes great humorous suspense stories.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 12:53 pmHi, I am not a writer either, but most definatly love to read. I was looking for your books yesterday. The store I was in didn’t have any, will have to try another. Barnes and Noble I guess.I love the romance/suspense the best. I have yet to figure it out correctly. (who did it). Thanks. Have a great day!
Posted by Lori Lynn | April 18, 2011, 12:59 pmHi Lori Lynn, I feel like I’m talking to myself.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 1:19 pmHi back to you, our Mother’s must have thought alike…
Posted by Lori Lynn | April 18, 2011, 1:38 pmI read a Harlequin Intrigue over the weekend, first in a long time. And I was struck by how much of the story was about the external events, and how little about the internal and the romance. It was a fun read, but I definitely like the internal better. Realizing this helps me better focus my wip.
Posted by PatriciaW | April 18, 2011, 1:12 pmPatricia,
How astute you are. Intrigue is the only line at Harlequin that has a bigger emphasis on the external rather then the internal plot.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 1:21 pmI haven’t read any of your (Lori’s) books yet, but you’re now on my new authors to read list! I’ve written and submitted stories in the past. It is soooo hard when you get that rejection letter but I have to keep on trying. Reading some of my favorite author’s earlier works, I see their growth and how they get better with each novel. I guess it’s just like anything else, whether exercise, writing, etc. The more you do it, the more proficient you become.
Posted by Sue McIntosh | April 18, 2011, 1:25 pmSue,
You have to look a rejections as a reason to celebrate. Yep. Celebrate. Each rejection you get means that you’re one step closer to your goal.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 2:46 pmI’m just now working up my nerve to send out my first manuscript. Fear of rejection has kept me from sending it before now. I’m lucky enough to have a husband who is encouraging. He believes in me when I’ve stopped believing in myself. Thank you for your words!
Posted by Kimberly M. | April 18, 2011, 1:34 pmKimberly,
I can guarantee you one thing. You will get rejected. There’s no way around it. So just send it out and get it over with.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 2:47 pmI love this site, I have a passion for reading romance and have always wanted to try and put the stories running through my head as I lay in bed at night down on paper. This has added to my notebook on “how to” do just that. Thank you.
Posted by Linda Kedrowski | April 18, 2011, 1:34 pmLinda,
Here’s how you do it. Sit down, put your hands on the keyboard and start writing. It’s that easy and that hard.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 2:48 pmHave often dreamt of being a writer, probably since about 5th grade. Have even begun notes and some scenes and dialogues. I understand my characters, so far, have some of the romance scenes and have the main plot down. It’s all the filling in between that has me fearful of going forward. And I know it’s a matter of taking the first step. Trying hard to see baby steps, not giant leaps. Unfortunately, what I had started was lost when my computer was fried by a virus, so now it’s starting all over again.
Posted by Sue P. | April 18, 2011, 1:39 pmSue,
Losing it is the best thing that could happen to you. It teaches you to start again. You have to be able to keep going. Just make a commitment and do it.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 2:49 pmFab-u-lous advice! I usually write nostalgic, ya fiction, but am currently working on my first modern-day romance. Your advice is spot-on. Just what I needed. Your post assures me I am on the right track.
Yes, I want the readers to follow the adventures of my main characters, but more so, I want them to FEEL what the MCs are experiencing. I hope to make the readers laugh as well as cry… get angry and be proud. The adventures are secondary.
Thank you for this post. It most certainly could have been written in letter form, beginning with, Dear C.E. Hart…
lol
Posted by C.E. Hart | April 18, 2011, 1:44 pmDear C. E. Hart…
You know what you need to do.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 2:50 pmI love to read ~ I am glad I found this site it is very interesting! Thanks for talking about it on Facebook Lori!
Posted by Kay Swederski | April 18, 2011, 2:25 pmHey Kay, great site, isn’t it.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 2:50 pmHi Lori,
Great post! I loved the excerpt from your adding emotion class and hope to take the whole course. Where is it offered? I feel I grow as a writer from each course you teach. My first introduction to your classes was from ED2Go and I took it twice. I know it’s time consuming, but you have such a great talent for teaching and encouraging fledgling writers I hate to hear you are discontinuing it.
I lived in a small town in Pennsylvania when I was young as a newly married. Even though my husband was born there and his parents and siblings lived there I was an outsider because I was from Texas. Not one of my happiest memories. Personally I love reading about small towns but as for living in one, I prefer the anonymity of a city.
I believe I have read ALL of your books and your latest “The Welcome Home Garden Club” is on my nightstand right now.
Posted by Barbara | April 18, 2011, 3:14 pmBarbara,
I do thank you for taking my classes. And it’s been a joy. But for the last 4 years I’ve been working 80 hours a week and I’m not getting any younger. Something has to give and it’s not going to be the writing so I had to let go of Ed2go.
Lori
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 5:22 pmI’m just so happy I was able to take that Romance Writing Secrets class. I met a great writing friend through that class whose first book is coming out this summer, found a great teacher and read lots of books by a fabulous author who remains one of my favorites.
Your ed2go clases will be missed.
Barbara
Posted by Barbara | April 18, 2011, 9:03 pmHi, Lori.
Thank you so much for this post. What a great mini lecture! I’m going to print it and keep it by my computer for easy reference.
I’m working on revisions right now, and this will be a huge help in making sure I have the emotional elements in place.
Lucie j.
Posted by Lucie J. Charles | April 18, 2011, 3:32 pmLucie,
You are so welcome.
Lori
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 5:22 pmSince so many people are still posting comments, we’re going to hold off a bit on drawing our two prize winners. Stop back in the morning to find out if you are a winner!
Posted by Becke Martin/Davis | April 18, 2011, 4:08 pmVery nice reflective piece. I know that I have shifted away from any desire for suspenseful stories because I want to lose myself in something more heartwarming and relaxing.
Posted by Kellye Self | April 18, 2011, 5:07 pmYes, suspense can have you on the edge of your seat and that’s not always conducive to relaxing.
Lori
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 5:23 pmI enjoy reading the post. from my perspective as a reader I both enjoy the connections between people and peoples imperfections in a book. Of course I enjoy the happy ending but It doesn’t hurt if there is a struggle to get there.
Posted by Danielle E. | April 18, 2011, 5:20 pmAnd it’s the conflict that causes all that emotions. Thanks for posting, Danielle.
Lori
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 5:24 pmHi Lori!
Thanks so much for joining us on RU today! Are there any hard and fast rules about the “balance” of emotion between the hero and heroine? In most of the romances I’ve read, the heroine’s emotions are prevalent.
Wonderful post!
Posted by Jennifer Tanner | April 18, 2011, 6:02 pmOnly because the heroine usually gets a bigger slice of the POV pie.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 8:15 pmLori – I live in a small town myself so I can’t wait to read your book! Our town isn’t just small but it dates back to the beginning of our country. I live in Rhode Island and since we didn’t move here until 1974 we are still considered “newcomers” even though my grandmother’s great-great-great grandfather was one of the colonial governors of Rhode Island!
Did you get any of your inspiration for the story for a specific “small town” or from anyone you met in one?
Posted by Jeanne Miro | April 18, 2011, 6:50 pmWhat a fascinating town you’re from.
Yes, the inspiration for Twilight comes from a real town in Texas where I used to live called Granbury.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 8:16 pmI picked up the Sweetheart’s Knitting Club when I was learning to knit. It was fabulous and now these books are on my must buy list when they come out
Posted by Jen | April 18, 2011, 7:37 pmThanks Jen. I learned how to knit while I was writing that book. LOL. Now I knit every day. It helps me to wind down.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 8:17 pmI live in a small town right now but grew up in a small community. I kind of miss that life but a small town is the nest best thing
lead[at]hotsheet[dot]com
Posted by Virginia Horton | April 18, 2011, 7:41 pmI live in a small town. It’s not as small as Twilight, but my hometown is the setting for my next series (with a fictional name of course).
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 18, 2011, 8:18 pmHi Lori,
Thanks so much for all of the wonderful information, especially the information about adding emotion. I’m almost finished with my first manuscript. It’s YA romance, told from alternating first person POV. I have a bad habit of taking the easy way out and letting the POV character tell how he/she feels instead of showing it. As I do my final edits, your information is going to be invaluable in helping me determine which of the four levels of response will work best.
Thank you!
Posted by Alysia | April 18, 2011, 8:44 pmOne of the reasons I love Lori’s books is because there IS that emotional development in the story. A lot of romances I read rush or even feel like they ignore that part, and in a romance… how can you skip the *why* of why these people fall in love? How they change and grow and become better together than when they’re apart?
The First Love Cookie Club was my favorite in her Twilight series. Such great characters and I could totally relate to the inner workings of the heroine and the hero. I recommend this book to just about everybody.
So I think my question for Lori is… What are the 2 biggest pitfalls to watch out for when writing emotionally driven stories that you see authors making (since I know you teach a lot)?
Posted by Julie H. | April 18, 2011, 8:54 pmJulie,
Too much mulling and thinking. While reflection has it’s place, you don’t want to “tell” the emotions as much as “show” them through action and dialogue.
Also, as important is as the internal conflict is in internal stories, you still need an external driver to move the plot along. Some specific, concrete goal the character is working toward achieving.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 19, 2011, 12:25 pmHi Lori,
I don’t write, I just love to read. Your books sound good would love to read one.
Posted by Keisha Talley | April 18, 2011, 8:55 pmHi Lori,
Romance books should be about romance!
This bit of information came at the perfect time for me. I am about mid-way through writing my first historical novel and I have felt like I am rushing things along to try to keep the plot moving, all to keep the reader from being bored. After reading your lecture, I realized that in doing that I am sacrificing the romance aspect of the book. And these characters deserve to explore that romance!
Thank you so much for reminding me of the obvious
Posted by Jessica | April 18, 2011, 9:25 pmYou’re so welcome. I used to get praised for my fast paced stories so I wrote them faster and faster and I still couldn’t figure out why my career wasn’t growing until a friend pointed out she had trouble connecting emotionally with my characters. That’s when I realized that “fast-paced” can actually be code for “not emotional enough”.
Posted by Lori Wilde | April 19, 2011, 12:28 pmI love reading Mystery romance novels .The suspence keeps my interest and I can’t put it down till I through.
Posted by Donna | April 18, 2011, 10:05 pmI do love it when the story can bring out the emotional impact, that’s what keeps me thinking about a great book!
Posted by Robin D | April 18, 2011, 10:46 pm