Archive for the ‘Guest Blogger’ Category

Thanks J.C., for letting me stop by on my blog tour!!

Since November is the anniversary month of my first published book, I decided to go on a tour and chat and give stuff away!

The “theme” (I use the term loosely) is Writing Romance Is Like…

And every blog stop has a difference comparison that will give you some insight into who I am, how I write and my slightly weird sense of humor.  Oh, and you can win stuff!  Every commenter gets entered for a chance at a book from my backlist.   And if you really want to have some fun: follow me around to all the stops on the schedule (on my website) get the answers to the questions (on the form on my site) and then e-mail them to me by December 15th to get entered into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate to www.Amazon.com, www.BarnesandNoble.com or www.MyBookstoreandMore.com.  Come join the fun!!

So now, Writing Romance is Like… Buying a New Car (or a used one, for that matter)

I hate buying cars.  It is seriously the one thing that I truly hate to shop for.  Oh, I like looking.  I love test driving.  But I hate buying.  I hate sitting across from the desk of a guy who can’t make a decision without “talking to his manager” about it and who basically would love (even if it’s deep down inside) to sucker me into paying way too much.

The reason I hate it is because I know very little about cars.  All a car needs for me to be interested is a steering wheel, a brake and a mirror where I can put my mascara on at stop lights (yes, only at red lights… never while driving!!).  It just needs to get me from point A to point B.  And maybe have a nice stereo system that will make Darius Rucker sound even better.  And have a cup holder in a decent spot.  Oh, and a sun roof—I like sun roofs.  And I’d prefer it be red, or silver… those are my faves.

But I don’t really know anything useful!  I know only basically what a transmission is, have heard of a fuel pump (and can sort-of ascertain what it does by it’s name), and know that there are a whole bunch of other things in there that are really important.  So, I feel pretty dumb in there and am aware that my ignorance can lead to ownership of a lemon.

Just like in writing.  If an author writes about something she knows little to nothing (and makes it obvious) about it can definitely lead to a lemon. 

 So buying a car and writing both take– research.  You have to know what you’re talking about to avoid problems.  Whether it’s choosing a career for the heroine, or using a term in the plot twist, or finding out the crash test rating on that Lexus you’re looking at, you have to have some information. 

 Even more importantly, in the writing anyway, is using that information and using it well.  I’m sure we’ve all read books where the information given about the hero’s mother’s bakery reads like a textbook.  You don’t want, or need, to use every technical term or give then entire history of something if it’s not pertinent to the book.  And when you do need to explain something in more detail (because it’s important to the story!) then you have to be careful how it’s done.  Does it sound natural?  Is the way someone who knew the information would actually impart it to someone not familiar?  For instance, I’m a physical therapist.  I’ve read books where someone is involved in rehabilitation or therapy or having other medical procedures done and it’s painful, frankly (pun kind-of intended G).  It’s stilted.  It’s nothing like what things really sound like.  In my book, No Matter What, my heroine is a therapist working with the hero’s daughter.  In one scene it was important for the daughter to learn to go up and down the stairs.  I had to make the scene technically correct, impart a few extra details to the readers so they could “see” the scene and give the information to the hero and the reader in a natural, smooth way.  I think I did it—you can judge for yourself below.  But the bottom line is, know what you’re talking about. 

And extra points for anyone who can describe what a carburetor actually is and does!

 And join me back at my own blog on November 26th!  ErinNicholas.blogspot.com!

Staircase scene from No Matter What

Jaden had been Emily’s therapist for less than twenty-four hours and was already driving him crazy. And not in a good way.

His current position standing at the bottom of the staircase, which had never looked quite as huge as it did now, was the perfect example. He didn’t even want Emily to go up and down stairs, not to mention watching her try it. What if she fell? What if she twisted her leg? What if she simply couldn’t do it? Watching her struggle felt like plucking out his nose hairs one by one—painful and ridiculous. Why do it when there was an easier and less painful way of handling the situation?

With the first therapist, Adam had been involved, attending each session, eager to learn what he could do to help. But as Emily tried and failed and became frustrated and bitter, Adam withdrew to his work, unable to watch her struggle and hurting when he couldn’t help. Or worse, when she didn’t want him to.

He hated this. All of it. With the possible exception of Emily’s new physical therapist. Though he did hate what she was doing at the moment.

His daughter sat in her wheelchair on the first landing. She stared at the steps in front of her as if she was at the edge of a volcano about to be sacrificed to the gods within.

“It’s sixteen steps to the bottom,” Jaden said.

“I know.” Emily didn’t look at Jaden as she answered.

“People have actually gone down and up stairs with prosthetic legs before this moment.”

“Probably.” Emily still didn’t even blink.

“So this is no big deal.”

“Right.”

Adam thought it was very likely that in her head Emily was calling Jaden all kinds of unflattering things and silently plotting Jaden’s slow, torturous demise. But as long as the things coming out of her mouth were even semi-civil he was happy.

“Here’s how this is going to go.” Jaden moved to the third step down, facing Emily. “You’re going to stand. I’m going to hold on to you. You’re going to put your left foot down first, then you’re going to lean on me when you put your right foot down. Then we’re going to do it again. And again. Sixteen times.”

Emily was staring at Jaden’s shoulder. And was not smiling.

“Your prosthetic foot goes down first. Each time. For now at least.”

No response.

“When you lean on me, it takes some of the weight off your weaker side while you bring your other foot down.”

Nothing.

Jaden sighed and crossed her arms. “I’m not asking for handsprings, or for you to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl, or even for you to smile.”

That gained a small frown. “I know.”

“Then quit looking like I’ve announced that I’m taking your credit cards away or that you can’t text anyone for a month or some other horrible punishment.”

Emily’s frown deepened and she finally looked up at Jaden.

Jaden softened her tone. “It’s just a set of stairs. Just keep telling yourself that. It’s something you’ve done hundreds of times. It’s something millions of people do, thousands of times a day. Don’t let this freak you out.”

Emily’s chin lifted slightly. “I’m not freaked out.”

Jaden let a moment of silence pass. Then she said simply, “Prove it.”

Learn more about Erin and her work:  www.ErinNicholas.com  /  NineNaughtyNovelists.blogspot.com  / 

ErinNicholas.blogspot.com

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