Tuesday, June 25, 2013

My Favorite Romance Trope

Romance tropes are many, and yet, so few. They are used again and again, because they are timeless. They can be refashioned or refurbished to fit any time frame. And here we are, year after year, sucking them up like oxygen. Why? Because we love them! There doesn’t have to be another reason, folks.
 
Here’s a list of the most often used. At the end I’ll tell you my favorite if you tell me yours.
 
  • Best friends turned lovers
  • May/December
  • Secret crush
  • Love triangle
  • Secret baby
  • Arranged marriage
  • Enemies turned lovers
  • Governess to wife
  • Reformed rake
  • Reunion or reunited lovers
  • Secret love
  • One character physically unattractive/disabled
  • Best friends little sister
 
Actually I have three. Enemies to lovers would be number one because sparks fly in these. I love the challenges this presents to the characters. Reformed rakes are awesome - who doesn’t love the soft side of a hardass? And lastly, one character physically unattractive/disabled because these characters have amazing hidden strengths and the trials they must overcome to find love make for a fantastic story.
 
I shared mine. Now what’s your favorite?
 
 
 

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

A Lovely Wedding, A Beautiful You

Hey Everyone!

I'm over at Through Heart-Shaped Glasses talking about tips to look your best on your wedding day.

 
 
Come on over and join the fun. And don't forget, one lucky commenter this month will win an Amazon GC. 
 

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Happy Father's Day

I didn't know my dad. Not only didn't I know him, I have no idea who he is, or was. And there was no charming step-father to swoop in and save the day. So I've missed out on a lot of things that girls with fathers take for granted.

However, that being said, I know some awesome dads. Not only are they great dads, they are wonderful men. And I feel very blessed to have them in my life as relatives, friends, and co-workers.

This one’s for you!



Wishing you the best ever, always.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Finding the Right Title


Not so very long ago, writer’s came up with a working title for their novel knowing that the publisher would likely change whatever they decided on. Those days are over for quite a few. With the advent of small presses and self-publishing, titles are more important than ever.

They are also very busy. Here are a few things a title should do:

· Identify your story

· Set the tone or mood of your work

· Attract attention

· Create interest

 How do you find the right title? Well, first off, you need to identify your market. Remember, all books don’t appeal to all people. So think about it. Mull it over. Once you’ve come up with what you feel fits, give it a rest. Let it go for a few days, or weeks. Then come back to it. Does it still resonate? When you think about it, does it still do all the things you thought it would in the beginning? Do you love it? If your answers are yes, yes, and YES! It’s time to send it out into the world.

Tell a few people that you trust about it, and ask their opinions. If one of them doesn’t care for it, but most do, you’re good to go. If they all comment on the same thing, you might want to rethink your title. I know, believe me, I know it’s easier said than done. It’s tough to encapsulate months of work into just a few words. But it’s very important. It’s what we do. And we’re going to live with it a very long time.

Do you have any tricks or tips for coming up with a great title?