I thought I’d mention two books for you to check out. If you enjoy sci-fi/futuristic stories check out Christine d’Abo’s The Bond That Ties Us. I haven’t had a chance to read it yet but it’s sitting on my hard drive ready for my next spare moment.
Here’s the blurb:
The Bond That Ties Us By Christine d’Abo
Haylie knows her life is about to change the moment she sets foot on the Eurus colony. What she didn’t count on was her instant, overwhelming sexual desire for the seven-foot-tall, sexy as hell alien ambassador. He’s in her every thought and dream, teasing and taunting her body into a sexual frenzy.
Kamran has waited his whole life to find his bonded mate. When she arrives in the form of a slender human with brilliant eyes, he can’t stop his all-consuming need to possess her. If their bond is discovered, they will be forced by Briel law to leave the colony, giving up the lives they’ve worked so hard to build.
While Haylie and Kamran fight their growing desire, their colony is threatened by an unseen enemy. When the colony comes under attack by a brutal alien force, can Haylie and Kamran keep their bond a secret and stop the invasion in time to save everyone?
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Lauren Dane also has a new release coming out this week on July 25. It’s called Threat of Darkness and you can read an excerpt here. I read Lauren’s Ascension not long ago and loved her new werewolf series. Lauren writes great characters – strong heroines who know their own minds and don’t take crap from anyone and heroes that you just want to steal for your own. There are usually intriguing family dynamics at play and by the time I close one of her books I’m ready to apply for adoption into said family. Check out Lauren’s Ellora’s Cave books right here
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I’m finding my writing frustrating at the moment. My word count isn’t as good as it could be, but at least I’m writing a little every day. Too many other distractions in my life at the moment. It hasn’t been a good year. Assassin is almost at 40,000 words. If I keep at it I should manage to finish my first draft this month.
I’m also working on a new idea and started doing character sheets tonight. I don’t normally do character sheets but I’m making a conscious effort to dig deeper into my characters and thought this might help. Charlotte Dillon has an awesome page of links just for writers who want to build their characters. There are loads of articles here that will keep you busy for a while. She also has a link for a character sheet. There are many variations of the character sheet. The one I’m using comes from the Harlequin site.
How do you flesh out your characters? Do you do character sheets or use some other method to make your hero and heroine come alive? And if you’re a reader rather than a writer, what book are you reading at the moment?
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Shelley thank you so much!!
I hope you enjoy the story.
With my characters, I usually have to talk them out with someone. This is normally my poor husband who is now excellent as asking me all the right questions. Normally, “why”. But I find I don’t really get to know them until I’ve written the first draft. Once I have the plot flushed out, I go back and add layers to my h/h.
Somedays, I wish I was a plotter.
by Christine d'Abo July 24th, 2007 at 4:54 amHey Shelley,
I never did a character sheet, actually never heard of it lol, but then I’m not a pro writer. I will check it out though, maybe it will help to break my writers block. The one I more or less pamper since a year :( Funny how sad it can make you if you can’t write.
Hope you have a good week :)
by Kat aka witchykitten July 24th, 2007 at 9:11 amChristine: I’m sure I will! I love futuristics.
Funny you mention discussing characters with your husband. Mr. Munro is getting quite good at this and helping me work out conflicts.
I’m finding that quite often I need to produce a partial and synopsis first before I have a chance to layer my characters. I’m hoping that the character sheets will help me out with this.
Hey Kat,
by Shelley Munro July 25th, 2007 at 2:54 amGreat to see you here. Definitely check out some of Charlotte’s links. She has an awesome website full of helpful info. My writing process is always evolving, shifting to make it work better and hopefully help me to produce better books. I’m sure you’ll get past your block soon!
i keep checking EC store this morning to see if Lauren’s and Lisa’s books are up yet so i can grab them and Christine’s. Dang it – what’s taking so freaking long? grrrrr…..
by rhian July 25th, 2007 at 5:54 amGreat links! Thansk, I need all the help I can get when it comes to character building!
by Lillian Feisty July 25th, 2007 at 10:37 amRhian,
I’d forgotten about Lisa’s release. I’m off to get that as well. Jeesh, so many books!
Hi Lillian!
by Shelley Munro July 25th, 2007 at 12:47 pmThanks for the love!
I have this book I started, I love it but I kept stalling on how I’d begin. I FINALLY figured it out last night right as I fell asleep. I’m gonna have to plot this one I think. Sorry about the slow go of it. ALthough I am totally sure no matter what, it’ll be great because I’ve yet to read something of yours that hasn’t been.
by Lauren Dane July 25th, 2007 at 6:21 pmThanks, Lauren. I’m sure I’ll get into the swing of things soon. I’d better
I’m so not a plotter, but the more I write the more I’m seeing that it’s handy to plot and all of us need to learn the skills. I’m officially classing myself as a hybrid from now.
by Shelley Munro July 25th, 2007 at 7:29 pmShelley, these are awesome books and great recommendations. I’ve read Christine’s book and she just blew me away. And Lauren . . . I am midway and need to get back to it NOW!!!!!
by Red July 25th, 2007 at 8:45 pmI usually develop/discover my characters while writing them. I suppose it’s one of the reasons I write out of order.
I do plot a bit in advance – you better do if you write historical fiction or the plot will run over facts like chariot horses gone wild.
by Gabriele July 26th, 2007 at 6:35 pm