The unconscious mind is an amazing thing. I've been sweating through a tough scene where I had a logistical problem--I had to allow the heroine to slip away to meet with someone without the hero knowing about it, but separating them without it looking contrived was getting difficult. Then today I was writing a scene, and all of a sudden a character says to the hero "I will meet with you at four p.m. tomorrow in my office."
Suddenly I had my opportunity for the heroine to slip away without the hero knowing it. Now, did I plan that? Did I sit down and say, "I know! I'll set up a meeting between the alcalde and Jack and Sophia can slip away."
No. The alcalde of St. Augustine was speaking, and originally he was going to ask for a flat out bribe for himself 'cause he covered Jack's butt in a sticky situation. But then, he suddenly says he expects Jack to pay to re-roof the schoolhouse. And Jack can come by the office to discuss the details. Now the entire scene has changed, the character of the alcalde shifts, and Sophia can get out and about to be up to no good.
Amazing. It must have been lurking in my brain all along. And the real lesson here, boys and girls, is sit down and write even when you don't think you can work out what you need to do. Sometimes the answer is waiting for you, but if you aren't writing, you won't get it.
Suddenly I had my opportunity for the heroine to slip away without the hero knowing it. Now, did I plan that? Did I sit down and say, "I know! I'll set up a meeting between the alcalde and Jack and Sophia can slip away."
No. The alcalde of St. Augustine was speaking, and originally he was going to ask for a flat out bribe for himself 'cause he covered Jack's butt in a sticky situation. But then, he suddenly says he expects Jack to pay to re-roof the schoolhouse. And Jack can come by the office to discuss the details. Now the entire scene has changed, the character of the alcalde shifts, and Sophia can get out and about to be up to no good.
Amazing. It must have been lurking in my brain all along. And the real lesson here, boys and girls, is sit down and write even when you don't think you can work out what you need to do. Sometimes the answer is waiting for you, but if you aren't writing, you won't get it.
Comments
good luck with your writing.
If you get the time, please drop by and read my blog and don't forget to leave a comment!
Take care
I've been writing contemporary and paranormal romance for a decade (I'm published and agented with The Deidre Knight Agency), and the only other romance writers I've met face-to-face have been at the 2006 RWA National Convention in Atlanta! I do have an online group I adore, but it's a bit lonely thinking I'm the only one in Gainesville. I KNOW there are others out there, so today I decided to do a search, and I found your website. Yay! I'm a great fan of history and will be sure to check out your novels.
Best wishes,
Shelby Reed
My books are available in Gainesville at Goerings Books at University and 34th St., Jonesberry Books in the Town of Tioga shopping center, and at Borders on Newberry Road.
And I always have some in the trunk when I'm out and about.[g]