Writing Craft

Recently, I gave the first few chapters of my newest novel to a friend. She loathed one of the characters, she said, because she was wearing a leopard print dress in the office. I was actually agog. I mean, I've never really loathed anyone in real life based on what they were wearing, but maybe I'm weird that way.

Names have power, so I choose them carefully and over time, I’ve developed a system and I’m happy to share it.

1. Compile a long list of ethnically appropriate names
The first thing I take into account when choosing a name is the
ethnicity of the character. Cultural heritage comes with a lot of cues
and expectations. Sometimes that’s good, sometimes that’s bad, but
either way, it’s something to exploit as a writer. If I can give the
impression that my hero is a hot-tempered Hispanic man simply by naming
him Antonio, an impression is formed in the reader’s mind before I
write another word. If my Russian hero is named Antonio–my readers
aren’t likely to take that at face value. They’re going to want to know
what the story is behind that name. Was his mother a fan of Spanish
bullfighting? Did he grow up in South America? That’s because a name
either tells a story or begs for one.

Alright, I'm a newbie at writing.

I've written a lot of poetry before and an awful lot of research papers,

but writing a ms for harlequin is a very different matter. 

Yesterday, I felt that what I was writing made sense and I enjoyed reading it.

I think I'm on the right path.

Nice sensation.

I hope it lasts  :-)

What a relief,

I am back on track,

all the clouds in my head faded away,

I feel I'm myself again,

so happy !

I have done a total of 8377 words,

but  what if they're not worth anything,

it's so terrifying!

I have no outline yet,

I don't know if it's okay to write like that

Working on: Sold to the Highest Bidder
Listening to: whatever tickles my fancy when the house is empty in exactly 36 minutes
Reading: To Marry the Duke - it's fantastic!