On April 24, 2010 authors Virna DePaul and Tawny Weber spoke to the Silicon Valley chapter of RWA on Conflict, Conflict, Conflict and Character Growth. Ms. DePaul sold her first book to Berkeley Publishing in 2009 and Ms. Weber has multiple published novels by Harlequin Blaze since 2006. She is also a three times Golden Heart finalist. As if they were a well synchronized tag team, they lectured us on conflict.
Conflict is opposition between the characters and moves the story along. It forces your character to act and gives them a purpose, but keeps them from getting to their goals. It is important that if you use the protagonist or antagonist conflicts, the characters cannot walk away and must be revealed within the first fifteen pages of your novel, depending upon its length.
Why is it so important? Because without conflict there is no story. Your character needs to suffer and work at overcoming or the happily ever after won’t be earned. The reader wants to know what happens next, how they relate, and to care. What does he/she really want? Which path does he take? Why does each path have its issues? What new issues come with his decision?
There are three times of conflict in a romance novel. (1) Situation or External Conflict. This is the day to day, security issues that normally plague even you and me. (2) Emotional or Internal conflict. These are insecurities, fears, doubts, etc. It is separate from the relationship. (3) Romantic conflict. This keeps them back from being a couple. It is a conflict between their internal and external being in opposition to their goals.
Anti conflicts include Man versus Self (their past, fears, and misconceptions), Man versus Something or Someone else (similar to External Conflict and can be Man, society, nature, technology, or even destiny), and finally Man versus love (character against character).
In your novels it is important to use the formula Problem plus Goal plus Conflict equals Less Obvious Action. Conflict should be believable, should be emotional, and should be personal. Show conflict in all aspects of your writing from action (what your characters do) to narration (what your character thinks), and to dialog (what your characters say). Make use of the Conflict Arc.
To improve use of conflicts use it in your every stage of a novel: Character insights; situation/opposing goals; stakes-what’s at risk; planning of action; knowledge/anticipation; obstacles/resistance to plan; execution/delivery; effect/aftermath; contemplation; Reaction/action and conclusion.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
A real man in paperback, darn
Viking Heat
By Sandra Hill
December 2009
4 stars
VIKING HEAT by Sandra Hill, a time travel novel, is a romance between a strong Viking and an equally determined 21st century woman.
After her brother’s death by terrorists, Joy Nelson is double dog dared into joining the WEALS; the female counterpart of the Navy SEALS by her two other brothers. On her first mission to stop slave marketing she is transported from 2009 to 955 into what she believes is the recreated village of Hedeby.
Brandr Igorsson’s learns any remaining family or friends at Bear’s Lair have been killed or taken. Under a berserker’s rage, he dispels vengeance until he faces a pregnant traumatized teenage girl: Liv, his little sister. They return home. Arnis and Erland, two adult but immature Vikings, travel in long boats for a trading voyage. Their final purchase is Joy as a bed partner for Brandr.
Joy? A slave? Never! Following the rules of Engagement proves difficult. She cares about Liv suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The teenager has sequestered herself in her chambers; so afraid and traumatized, she can’t speak. Can Joy as a psychologist heal Liv, keep Brandr from returning to his berserker ways, and get home to her time and brothers?
Sandra Hill writes strong characters with faults and fears. I rooted for them. I am more prone to accept time travel when her characters come from their time into ours. In a time of superstition, I was surprised they didn’t condemn Joy.
By Sandra Hill
December 2009
4 stars
VIKING HEAT by Sandra Hill, a time travel novel, is a romance between a strong Viking and an equally determined 21st century woman.
After her brother’s death by terrorists, Joy Nelson is double dog dared into joining the WEALS; the female counterpart of the Navy SEALS by her two other brothers. On her first mission to stop slave marketing she is transported from 2009 to 955 into what she believes is the recreated village of Hedeby.
Brandr Igorsson’s learns any remaining family or friends at Bear’s Lair have been killed or taken. Under a berserker’s rage, he dispels vengeance until he faces a pregnant traumatized teenage girl: Liv, his little sister. They return home. Arnis and Erland, two adult but immature Vikings, travel in long boats for a trading voyage. Their final purchase is Joy as a bed partner for Brandr.
Joy? A slave? Never! Following the rules of Engagement proves difficult. She cares about Liv suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The teenager has sequestered herself in her chambers; so afraid and traumatized, she can’t speak. Can Joy as a psychologist heal Liv, keep Brandr from returning to his berserker ways, and get home to her time and brothers?
Sandra Hill writes strong characters with faults and fears. I rooted for them. I am more prone to accept time travel when her characters come from their time into ours. In a time of superstition, I was surprised they didn’t condemn Joy.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
How to handle a spirit
Secondhand Spirits
By Juliet Blackwell
July 2009
This is a mystery novel with a strong witchcraft foundation and light romance elements.
Lily Ivory has been a solitary practicing witch until she settles in San Francisco and opens Aunt Cora’s Closet, a boutique for vintage clothing. She has a surprise visitor. Aiden Rhodes, a male witch; definitely not a person to trust by anybody normal or magical. Which makes his gift, a goblin with the ability to change its physical appearance and blend into society, all the more suspicious. She names him Oscar until she can rightfully return it.
Inventorying the possible purchase of old clothing belonging to Mrs. Frances Potts, a little girl is kidnapped from her front porch of the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. In her circle the culprit is a demon called La Llorona. A protection spell doesn’t seem out of the question when Lily suspects further danger by evil spirits against the elderly woman. The morning after her excursion she finds the spell wasn’t successful. Mrs. Potts has been murdered. With only an absentee daughter Lily takes on solving the murder and returning little Jessica to her family before her soul is irreconcilable lost under the La Llorona’s influence.
Lily can’t find the answers alone. Who will she ask that won’t run away in normal fashion?
Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell is filled with the inside world of witchcraft. Vintage clothing is not my thing, but I liked the way she made it part of the story and character. It has a light touch of comedy and sentimentally that won’t crush your spirit.
By Juliet Blackwell
July 2009
This is a mystery novel with a strong witchcraft foundation and light romance elements.
Lily Ivory has been a solitary practicing witch until she settles in San Francisco and opens Aunt Cora’s Closet, a boutique for vintage clothing. She has a surprise visitor. Aiden Rhodes, a male witch; definitely not a person to trust by anybody normal or magical. Which makes his gift, a goblin with the ability to change its physical appearance and blend into society, all the more suspicious. She names him Oscar until she can rightfully return it.
Inventorying the possible purchase of old clothing belonging to Mrs. Frances Potts, a little girl is kidnapped from her front porch of the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. In her circle the culprit is a demon called La Llorona. A protection spell doesn’t seem out of the question when Lily suspects further danger by evil spirits against the elderly woman. The morning after her excursion she finds the spell wasn’t successful. Mrs. Potts has been murdered. With only an absentee daughter Lily takes on solving the murder and returning little Jessica to her family before her soul is irreconcilable lost under the La Llorona’s influence.
Lily can’t find the answers alone. Who will she ask that won’t run away in normal fashion?
Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell is filled with the inside world of witchcraft. Vintage clothing is not my thing, but I liked the way she made it part of the story and character. It has a light touch of comedy and sentimentally that won’t crush your spirit.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Elections
Election time is coming. What? It’s already time to vote for another commander and chief? No, this is local and affects me. The position is for the San Mateo County Coroner.
This year our incumbent is Robert Foucrault. Coroner Foucrault has held nearly every position in this office. Beginning as removal personnel, he has progressed to pathology assistant, to coroner’s deputy, to chief deputy, and finally Coroner. This gives him overall knowledge of every aspect of our office. An invaluable asset.
Our deputies in the field and in the office continue to perform their duties in accordance with the law and with the compassionate wishes of the family as evidence by the many positive feedback surveys. We have multiple outreach programs. To name just a few: our deputies speak at high schools on career choices; we have an active internship program; and we’re just beginning a “Save a Life” for juveniles under probation.
Running against Coroner Foucrault is Stacie Nevares. Ms. Nevares work experience in our office has been in a limited capacity as an office assistance. Ms. Nevares has made invalid and false allegations against our office and its staff. Her improvement suggestions were already incorporated into our office before her employment, or they conflict with the law and the performance of our job.
This year our incumbent is Robert Foucrault. Coroner Foucrault has held nearly every position in this office. Beginning as removal personnel, he has progressed to pathology assistant, to coroner’s deputy, to chief deputy, and finally Coroner. This gives him overall knowledge of every aspect of our office. An invaluable asset.
Our deputies in the field and in the office continue to perform their duties in accordance with the law and with the compassionate wishes of the family as evidence by the many positive feedback surveys. We have multiple outreach programs. To name just a few: our deputies speak at high schools on career choices; we have an active internship program; and we’re just beginning a “Save a Life” for juveniles under probation.
Running against Coroner Foucrault is Stacie Nevares. Ms. Nevares work experience in our office has been in a limited capacity as an office assistance. Ms. Nevares has made invalid and false allegations against our office and its staff. Her improvement suggestions were already incorporated into our office before her employment, or they conflict with the law and the performance of our job.
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