Wednesday, June 19, 2002

Research

I'm doing some research on the possible romance novel that is rattling around my head. I've read a few of Love Spell's romances, which is the publisher to whom I intend to submit. I've read the vampire romance Dark Fire by Christine Feehan and the histrical romance The Wildest Shore by Lisa Cach. I'm a chapter into the paranormal romance The Cat's Fancy by Julie Kenner. This weekend I hope to pick up a few of their Candleglow gothics, which is the sub-genre in which my novel will fit.

Love Spell's romances are long: 90,000 to 100,000 words. They are also very descriptive, sensual and introspective. The external conflicts tend to have a big build up but then the action is brief or skipped altogether, getting the reader back to the romance. Even though the heroine maybe strong, she will bow out and let the hero do his thing when the poop starts to fly.

For the backstory of the novel I have picked a couple of enchanting caribbean islands with an interesting history, although I have not pin-pointed the date the action will take place just yet.

Researching and plotting this new novel is my reward for a chapter well done!

Chapter 35 done

The story went a step further than I expected, putting the character in even deeper danger than I expected. I hope it takes the reader by surprise too.

My current totals are: 193 pages and 41,302 words. 2448 words shy of the 5/8th mark for a 70,000 word novel.

Back to work

I've got a tiny 210 word start on Chapter 35. So far it is coming well but other distractions keep pulling me from the computer.

The minor revisions for Dead Sea Murder shouldn't be very much work. I'll probably try to start working on those later tonight.

For my next project (after the first draft of PSI Emergency is complete and if no submitted projects have been accepted yet) I'm thinking of writing a paranormal/gothic romance to send to Love Spell. I've begun to do the preliminary research for both the story background and for Love Spell's style. This would be another case of genre jumping for me. At present I have completed a mystery and fantasy novel. I'm working on a science fiction thriller. The submitted sample to White Wolf is horror. And now a romance. You'd think I'd pick one or two and settle down wouldn't you? Nope! Not me! I like change.

Monday, June 17, 2002

Playtest feedback

The playtest feedback arrived. There were only a few places to tweak. I'll address that in the next day or two.

Chapter 34 done

It only ran 850 words. It went pretty fast, which I was expecting.