Ice Breaking Blog Post!

You know how you should write every day–or talk to someone–and against your better judgment, you put it off? Days go by, weeks, then a month. You get embarrassed, don’t know what to say, maybe nothing and it soon becomes a thing. The abandoned blog. The friend you love but are embarrassed to have not answered. Then your mother cuts through the nonsense with, “Step it up, Patience. You haven’t written on your blog in over a month!” Thanks, Mom!!!

For a few weeks, I agonized over what to post. Work details? Okay, but how many A Day in the Editor Life blog posts can anyone stand? More writing tips are always a good idea, until I see how many “top ten tips” I’ve generated, and I think–really, are you so lazy that all you do is make lists (yes, because I love them)? But still, sure, I can write these forever. Then, I experienced a brain freeze thanks to this awesome, rewarding venture. I can’t walk and chomp on Altoids at the same time. Back burner for the blog again.

Maybe more personal details are in order, but–yakk–my whole life is about to become very personal! I should preserve my privacy just a little while longer (we just got a new couch).

Related to work, since I edit a lot of romantic suspense: I could write about how much I’ll miss Dexter. While I predicted the entire episode, the finale left me too scared to be alone. How did I survive those twenty-plus years of living by myself? After we watched it, my husband went for a walk, i.e. Prime Serial Killer Time, wife alone in apartment. I had to shut all the windows and curtains, check the closets (sometimes they hide there ALL DAY LONG). The Dexter music played in my head the entire time he was gone (1/2 hour). I could have sworn I heard the latch on the door move.

There are cheerier topics, like how I spoke to the publicist for my book for the first time. My introduction to publishing was in a publicity department and with my current job, I love to eavesdrop on the incredibly challenging work publicists do. Talking about plans for my book was really exciting and I kept thinking, Is this really happening to me?

So there it is, my ice breaker. I’ve scheduled my mother to nudge me at least once a week.

Wednesday’s Pet Peeves

Forgive my absence. In addition to my editing, I’d been doing what you writers call “revisions.” Though I definitely needed to revise, it was ego bruising to realize that my work wasn’t perfect. One of my authors said to me, “Isn’t payback a [rhymes-with-witch]?” It is! And after all the revision letters and rejections I’ve written, I’m sure to get even more payback.

But first to a few pet peeves I’ve rounded up since last time:

Shocked and pregnant heroines don’t always toss their cookies: I’ll admit, barfing in romance novels makes me want to barf. I know it shows a person’s reaction to terror or the heroine’s being in the early stages of pregnancy. But for me, the ew-factor stays with me forever after. Some authors are very descriptive about the process of upchucking, too. Now if you want to torment me, by all means, have a vomitarium, which the characters can visit after each meal.

Dress your characters in attractive, contemporary clothing: Nix the tan slacks (they are hipper as khakis or jeans) and the colorful sweatshirt with a big glittery flower on it (guilty). Avoid the stone-washed denim jacket with hearts embroidered by the heroine to go with the bandanna she wears around her neck. The best way to dress your characters is to look at your favorite clothing catalog or check out other covers of books you like–and make the clothes as un-remarkable as you can (unless they’re in evening gowns and tuxes).

Buried treasure is very Pirates of the Caribbean: Though I buy books where characters are finding buried treasure, lost art or special amulets from ancient times, I’m not a personal fan of these stories…and I’ve been seeing a lot of them. I will buy them mostly because the authors skillfully convince me that readers will like them or I just like the writing. These story-lines tend to feel too dated to me and what I might have read a few decades ago. It’s true that every case is different so you might have a search for lost artifacts at the bottom of the Caspian Sea and I might love it. Usually, I prefer a glitzier side of treasure, which would be a room full of gems disappearing (with a dead body left behind) or killing for a special diamond.

And that’s about it for this Wednesday. Have a great rest of the week!

In Romantic Suspense, Do You Go with Predictable or Twisted–or Both?

My disclaimer is: I don’t write romantic suspense. I wouldn’t know how. It boggles my mind how writers create a cohesive plot and then give us editors nightmares. With this genre you have to think of character, romantic intrigue and the “boo” factor. Where would I even start? Probably with the villain because I love the evil ones (only on paper).

Because I read so much romantic suspense, I can usually smell the ending within the first few chapters. I just hope the reader doesn’t. This is when I remind myself that suspense lovers read lots of suspense and try to figure out the ending. I’m sure that for writers it’s a constant worry–how to generate suspense while keeping the reader questioning and on the edge of her seat. This is where the villain can help out. In a romance novel, though, you don’t want the villain to outshine the hero and heroine. This can be hard to help because readers love to get into the minds of a twisted bad guy/girl. How did he/she become bad? If you think about it, writers are amateur psychologists, piecing together a person’s internal framework then documenting it. Then the writer has to make the two central characters even more interesting. Add the suspense and you have many sleepless nights for any reader–and, I imagine, for a writer of romantic suspense (you all deserve medals!).

As an editor, I see the following scenarios in romantic suspense:

1. A more predictable plot that most readers will still love. Some of us love our “comfort suspense.” (Bones, The Closer)

2. Several red herrings that throw me off before the obvious villain emerges, pointing a gun. (Agatha Christie sometimes, but I love her!)

3. A deepening focus on the characters. The edgier they are, the less I care that the suspense is uncomplicated. (The Killing, Breaking Bad)

4. A completely twisted story where I have no clue what’s about to happen and the author takes me to scary places (The Following, Hannibal, Breaking Bad). Recently, I was telling an author how twisted she was (she really was/is). I could hear her hesitation when she asked, “Is that a good thing?” It’s  a great thing.

I tend to love #4 the most but realize that readers love all four of these scenarios. They each have a place in suspense. We’ve seen just about everything, but if you add that there are a gazillion voices relaying these juicy tales, you haven’t read the same story twice. Just when I think I can’t be surprised, a writer will find a new way to shock me, to take me where I don’t dare go (but sort of want to). The best writers out there do this–lead you with language and/or story into a new or old place. You might have an idea what will happen, but you don’t see it coming–or maybe you do, but you want to go on this ride anyway.

Boo!

Some Things I Love in a Romance Novel

Where have I been? Well, let’s just say that Sandy delayed me from posting. Oh, it’s so romantic to live like olden times, burn candles and play Scrabble. Sure, for a night or two, but not five. It wasn’t that fun, except when I went to see a certain Broadway show for the 4th time. My heart goes out to those still suffering from the storm’s aftermath. I got off easy and count my blessings that we were just mildly annoyed.

As promised, back to what I love in romance novels:

Really messed up characters. One author asked me if she could make her hero suicidal and I thought, COOL! I realize this is a serious issue, but if you can show your character overcoming a tremendous obstacle, I’ll cry buckets and vote him/her into office.

Sweet or hot? I edit sweet, mild and hot stories. I guess I appreciate sweeter stories because if you can relay emotion and romance without the sheet-tangling, I’m impressed. Then again, one of my authors had a great opening seduction scene that thoroughly wowed me. So, I know nothing. Romance novels do need to convey a strong connection between the characters. If you’re not used to writing love scenes, I suggest practice. But if you really object to writing them, that’s okay and you should research what lines carry sweeter stories.

Setting description. I work in an office all day and like to see the places the hero and heroine go.

Feminism runs in my blood, but I love a good boss-secretary romance! She’s naive and little awkward, but earnest and good at office work. Yes, I love this woman and I adore office work, too. She’s ripe for the repressed adoration of a take-charge boss.

Food descriptions: This is a new thing since discovering the Food network. Strange since I don’t cook, but if you can describe a meal (omitting the “garden salad” and “crusty bread”), it adds some color to the scene and usually compels a voyage to Starbucks for the chocolate covered graham crackers.

Don’t you love chemistry so good you forget what the story’s about? I’m reading one now. The characters are amazing, their interaction intense. The romance is one long scene and I can’t stop turning the pages. What are they doing? Practically nothing.

Bad girls can be a hoot, especially if you can identify with the heroine. She does something bad you dream of doing, only she gets away with it, often–like Emily Giffin’s Darcy character. A bad girl doesn’t need to have tattoos or a leather jacket. She’s just kinda bad, but you love her anyway.

I enjoy being shocked, traumatized and scared (not in real life!). This is evident in my television choices: A Haunting…, Sons of Anarchy, Prison Break, The Shield, Homeland, Dexter, Snapped, Deadly Women, and some Cupcake Wars/Real Housewives of Beverly Hills to balance my mentals.

High school reunion stories are fun.

Plain Janes rule. But if your heroine is a glamazon, that’s okay too. Just give her some flaws. Can we the reader relate to her?

I have many more “loves” for my list, but these are just a few…

Insert Brilliant Category Romance Title Here!

Can you tell that titling a book is not my forte? I’m responsible for four titles a month. For the life of me, I don’t know how it happens. My first step is to ask the author and editor for suggestions. We need to convey “romance” and “suspense” in one perfect title. No bland words, no clichés (or at least not too groan-worthy), nothing that’s been used before in the same line. I make lists of “hooks”, words that readers love to see. Then I check the sales history of titles with certain words. The choices are narrowed down to a few and I usually ask the author pick his/her favorite. Sometimes a title will just appear and I am extra happy if the author comes up with it. It saves me work!

For a category romance*, there are a few lessons I’ve learned when it comes to titles.**

• Try not to be married to your original title. Maybe just co-habitate. Your story is what counts the most. Editors really do understand how meaningful a title can be for a writer.
• Negative titles tend to tank sales***. The Reluctant Guy might evoke visions of a hero who won’t clean the bathroom or tuck in his shirt. Heck, he may not even rescue you from the elevator shaft or that pesky bank robber. Who needs a reluctant anything? I’d go for Her Hero in the Nick of Time instead. Actually, don’t use that title either but you get the idea.
• Emotion in a title is good. The Secret Agent Slammed the Door. Night of Passion, Day of Regret. Maybe I wouldn’t use these but they indicate a feeling, a vibe.
• Generic titles like Second Chances or Murky Waters fall flat. These work better for a single title, where the book is broader in scope and more complex. I would never title a category romance Gone with the Wind. Maybe Gone with the Handsome Sheriff. Your title should convey a specific message and not be too clichéd.
• If you’re going to use a name in a title, make it interesting. Josh’s Choice doesn’t say a whole lot. We don’t know Josh. We all make choices, so who cares? Josh’s Woman says a little more, is kind of primal and attention getting.  I would probably use Josh’s last name D’Artagnan instead: D’Artagnan’s Woman.
• Think wild and crazy. I try to brainstorm insane titles. This helps me through what is usually a painful creative process. Who’s that Man in My Shower? or He’s Coming at Me with a Knife! can forge a path toward a salable title. Plus, it just makes me laugh.

Sometimes I share the author’s feelings–that his/her title is better than the one we ultimately went for. We experience fluke successes with odd titles and failures with guaranteed hits. For some authors, the title could be The Pirate Prefers Grape Juice and it would fly off the shelves. My ultimate goal is to help sell the book, remaining as faithful to the story and author’s wishes as possible. Now and then, I will take a risk on a title that might not cause fireworks but fits the story more than any other. It’s a collaborative process–well, except for the writing, of course. Thank goodness for that!

*Category Romance = romances with the specific word length and guidelines, with happy ending guaranteed.

**These findings are not always true, but I’ve found them to be the case more often than not. There are exceptions.

***Did I mention there are exceptions?

Adding Suspense to Your Romance Plot

My best advice is to start simple with suspense. The biggest mistake I see is when a writer throws in everything but the kitchen sink to their romantic suspense novel. The heroine discovers she’s pregnant, by the cowboy down the street who has amnesia and can’t remember that he’s the father of another baby on his doorstep left by his ex who just died in a car crash but he never forgot the heroine.

Think of your plot as a growing circle and not a line that keeps getting longer. For suspense, you need to build momentum. It’s much easier to think in a line. This happens, then that. A linear plot is not so compelling for the suspense reader. We expect the excitement to build, growing in layer to that big, unforgettable ending. Instead, you might see something like this: The heroine falls down the stairs. She dusts herself off and then gets mugged. After that, she gets hit by a car. The hero comes along and then they both get kidnapped. Long story long, too much happens. It’s not how much you put in the story, but how you tell it. For a suspenseful romance novel, you don’t need a lot of ado to get to I Do.

You know you read/write/edit Romantic Suspense when…

*You discuss with Romantic Suspense authors how to suffocate someone

*A  romantic evening involves watching Snapped and Deadly Women with your spouse.

*You kind of like the sight of blood but pretend it horrifies you.

*You can’t help but imagine a good stabbing to ruin a nice happy ending.

*You can see whoddunit before the victim is discovered.

*Halloween is scary, sure. Valentine’s Day is a much better time to kill people off.

*After the romantic heroine closes the door, something bad will happen.

*Carrying around a vial of someone else’s blood is weird but totally doable.

*You’re so happy at how boring your life really is.