A little writing advice.

I’m not one of those writers who says, “I’ve always wanted to be a writer.” Or, “I wrote my first story in grade school, and knew I would write for the rest of my life.” I’ve always been anavid reader, and I can remember in High school I once thought “Someday I’d like to write a book.” But that was about it.

Then, when I was in my mid twenties, I started to thnk about writing once again. I love to travel, and I thought if I could find a way to get paid to travel, it would be the perfect job. So I took a magazine writing course (One of those night school continuing education ones) and then started on an article about my trip to Nepal.

Of course, then work got busy and the article sat unfinished for six years. Then, six years ago, when I decided I didn’t want to be a bartender forever, and I didn’t want to own my own pub, my mind went back to writing. With a little guidance from a mentor, I started writing erotica…and haven’t stopped since.

If you’ve read a couple of my stories I’m sure you’ll find a blend of heat levels from sensual to hard core erotic. Some have a traditional HEA, some don’t, although all have a romance in them to some degree.

I know some readers get upset when they read a book labeled Erotic Romance and it doesn’t have a traditional HEA, but in my mind, not having a traditional HEA is better than forcing an ending to the story that isn’t natural to the characters.

Maybe I’m rebelling against all those harlequin romances I read when I was growing up, where the secretary and the billion dollar business tycoon end up happily ever after. Maybe I’m just more realistic because of 19 years in the hospitality industry, and seeing so many couples fight, cheat, and divorce. It could be a blend of both. The thing is, I do believe in HEA, and in my mind, my characters all have them, they just might not have them in the space of the story.

Take Devil’s Jewel for instance. It’s a category length story in SEXY DEVIL, and in my mind it’s erotic (even though it isn’t liberally peppered with sex scenes) and it’s romantic, even though the hero and heroine aren’t planning a wedding at the end. But the story takes place over a three-day time span. There’s a lot that goes on, and they know they want to be together more, and all that, but would you, as a reader, really want to see them planning marriage and babies? Yes, a certain amount of unbelievability is allowed – I mean, the hero is a mind reader who hunts things that go bump in the night — but then again, there will be a sequel, and the characters will be back…so is that enough?

In BOUND, it was a first person POV, and truly Katie’s story. It was all about her journey. I still get reader letters about how much they love Joe (the hero) and so far only reviewers have been the ones to mention wanting to have the hero’s POV. But to me, it wasn’t needed, because the story was about Katie. Did that take away from the romance? I don’t think so. I wanted to the reader to go on that ride with Katie, the fall in love, what the hell am I doing sort of ride.

I can go on and on and list examples of different levels and reasons behind why I write the way I write, but I think the truth of it is simple. I write the story as I feel it is meant to be told. Be it, first person POV, or multiple third person. It could be full of hot and sweaty wrestlin’ between the sheets, or full of tension and potential.

Why am I trying to make this point? Because I’ve been reading a lot in the last few months. And I’m sad to say, I’m not enjoying the majority of what I read. Plenty of great ideas, and story premise, but in my opinion, a lot of the books have lacked that magic I want. The story telling magic that draws the reader in a hooks me, and makes me laugh out loud, cry, or even call a lover and invite him over.

I’ve been thinking about it, and I figure too many writers out there are becoming overly-analytical in how they disect what they need to include in a story. I think that so many writers are delving into their craft books and studying and learning and trying so hard to do things right, that they are forgetting the most important thing. It’s all about staying true to the character, and the story — even if that means doing something the craft books, or the reviewers, or the bloggers who tear apart every book out there, tell you not too.

On the other hand, I’ve also been read some books recently where the author is obviously trying to break the rules. Trying to do what is completely unexpected and never been done. I love to see writers push the envelope, and go for it, but at the same time…sometimes doing things just to do them is just as bad as doing them because you’re told you can’t.

There is always an exception to the rule, any rule. But only if you are staying true to the character and the story, and not just doing it to break the rules. To me, the magic of the a good story comes from the heart of the storyteller, not the mechanics of a story.

Do good stories have good mechanics? Yes. Learning the craft of writing is important. Learning about what is selling is important to building a career. I’m not saying don’t do these things, but it’s all a balancing act. It’s important to not to let those mechanics take over the story. It’s a talent for the author to know when to quit mucking with a story, and let the magic shine through. Over thinking and over-editing can kill that magic.

I’m certainly not an authority on writing. Yes, I’m an author, and I feel I have some knowledge, and can form an educated opinion on many aspects of the craft and this business. Therefor, I just wanted to throw out my best advice to others who want to write, or who do write. That advice is: Realize tht all those craft books, and workshops and lectures you read/attend, are only other people opinions. What they say will not always be right for what you do…so follow your heart, and to have faith in the story you want to tell, and what YOU can do.