tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post5859750638954851363..comments2024-03-22T05:18:29.555-04:00Comments on Romance Bandits: HUGE RB Welcome to Roxanne St Claire!Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-59722225490634887532008-08-31T06:47:00.000-04:002008-08-31T06:47:00.000-04:00So glad your daughter is okay, Rocki! Heads are tr...So glad your daughter is okay, Rocki! Heads are tricky things.<BR/><BR/>Sorry I couldn't pop in on the day to say how much I love your Bullet Catchers and to thank you once again for sharing so much advice - but migraines have laid me low.Anna Sugdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02015356374453032571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-75398596177518199342008-08-30T12:18:00.000-04:002008-08-30T12:18:00.000-04:00Rocki, how kind of you to come back and answer the...Rocki, how kind of you to come back and answer the last questions for us. So sorry about the trauma. I know how scary a head injury can be. My daughter hit her head around that age (jumping on a pogo stick -- bad, bad mommy -- but when you have 7 kids -- well stuff happens).<BR/><BR/>Glad she's better and thanks for coming back to answer Cassondra's and my question. Great advice!jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-77607784936401135032008-08-30T12:03:00.000-04:002008-08-30T12:03:00.000-04:00Wow, Rocki! So sorry to hear about your daughter'...Wow, Rocki! So sorry to hear about your daughter's accident, but good to know she's okay.<BR/><BR/>Have to confess I'm also glad to know other people worry and obsess about not repeating a villain's M.O. or a chase scene. I keep a list. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for being with us, Rocki and best of luck with those intriguing...inspiring...yeah, that's it, inspiring, Bullet Catchers!Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-27311977329000230452008-08-30T08:58:00.000-04:002008-08-30T08:58:00.000-04:00Cassondra asked about doubts, and knowing the diff...Cassondra asked about doubts, and knowing the difference between normal, garden-variety "gee is this the right way to lay out this scene" doubts and showstoppers that send you back to Page One for a Do Over. Learning that difference is probably the one thing that does get easier in this business. You have to listen to your storytelling gut, but not constantly second guess every decision. <BR/><BR/>Critique partners can help enormously, especially before you have an editor guiding you, but I don't think you should trust critque partners on the big storytelling issues - because this is your story, coming from your head/heart. I DO think you should trust critique partners on the craft-issues, the "little" elements of the story. But biggies come from your gut. <BR/><BR/>I have learned that when something really bothers me in a book, it will result in my staring at the page or writing the same scene ten times. That means I've veered in the wrong direction, and I have to go back scene by scene and figure out where I made the decision to have something happen or reveal something that isn't right. But when I just "don't love that scene" - it's usually not a huge storytelling problem, but something as simple as the wrong POV or setting or hook at the end.<BR/><BR/>I hope that helps, Cassondra!Roxanne St. Clairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08589632432477393509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-69107694336491577052008-08-30T08:50:00.000-04:002008-08-30T08:50:00.000-04:00Sorry I disappeared yesterday afternoon - I have a...Sorry I disappeared yesterday afternoon - I have a good excuse. I picked my daughter up from dance and she had been DROPPED ON HER HEAD in a flip. (She's 11 and a competitive jazz/modern dancer.) The fall left an egg-sized lump on her forehead, and her thumb was purple, and swelling fast. I zoomed to the walk-in clinic (hoping to avoid the ER) and they did an Xray - nothing broken but torn ligs - but the doc was super concerned about her head and ordered a CT Scan on her head, using the words "possible skull fracture" (Mom's worst nightmare, huh?) and that took hours. SHE'S FINE, but it shook her up and I ended up glued to her all night, doing the nurturing thing instead of the blog commenting thing. <BR/><BR/>So, I hope I can still answer some of these questions and comments! Jo asked about struggling not to be repetitive. YES, YES, YES. I think this is one of the greatest challenges of series, and, honestly, writing in the same subgenre. I write romantic suspense - there are only SO many creative ways the villain can try to kill and so many dramatic rescues. It's those plot elements that cause me to worry about repitition, not the characters or story premise. I sit here and think, "wait, I did a helicopter rescue in this book, and I had the heroine hanging off a cliff in that book, and I've had the boat chase in such and such...." I have to force my brain to work harder and be more imaginative, but still true to the characters and story.<BR/><BR/>I'm going to post this, and look for the doubt question - another subject I love!Roxanne St. Clairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08589632432477393509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-63555292153604904802008-08-30T02:24:00.000-04:002008-08-30T02:24:00.000-04:00any kind is ok with me, i will read anything, bu t...any kind is ok with me, i will read anything, bu t i prefer to read them in order. have agreat weekend, congrats on the books roxikim hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15203861775319304597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-13774207116235867012008-08-29T23:29:00.000-04:002008-08-29T23:29:00.000-04:00Thanks, Jeanne,I will keep in touch with you allov...Thanks, Jeanne,<BR/><BR/>I will keep in touch with you all<BR/>over the next few days! Please keep<BR/>all the Gulf Coast in your thoughts,<BR/>these type storms are not one bit of fun for the folks who end up being<BR/>the victims!!<BR/><BR/>Pat CochranPat Cochranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11997396930842831460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-47771818477763012872008-08-29T23:24:00.000-04:002008-08-29T23:24:00.000-04:00hey Pat, be safe, okay? We'll be watching the sto...hey Pat, be safe, okay? We'll be watching the storm and will be thinking about you here in the Lair. Keep us posted on how you're doing, all right?Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-61351145331304699212008-08-29T23:23:00.000-04:002008-08-29T23:23:00.000-04:00I'm another reader who loves a series but I have t...I'm another reader who loves a series but I have to read them in order. I even have to have them <BR/>all in hand to read them back to back, 'cause once I start reading <BR/>I usually don't want to stop!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for stopping by for a visit, but I have to get back to my list-<BR/>making. I need to get out tomorrow<BR/>to prepare for company. Seems this<BR/>fellow named Gustave wants to come to call, but hasn't made up his<BR/>mind where he will be dropping in.<BR/>Houston is still on the list of<BR/>possibilities!!<BR/><BR/>Pat CochranPat Cochranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11997396930842831460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-8474943820267589842008-08-29T22:23:00.000-04:002008-08-29T22:23:00.000-04:00Hi Louisa, Hi Virginia! I love trilogies too. So...Hi Louisa, Hi Virginia! I love trilogies too. Something about the rythym of three books works really well, don't you think?<BR/><BR/>Glad you stopped by and yes, aren't those "inspiration pieces" lovely? Hmmmmm yep. I'm inspired.Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-68889803507600319802008-08-29T21:37:00.000-04:002008-08-29T21:37:00.000-04:00Way to go, Christie! Give him the grand tour! Mayb...Way to go, Christie! Give him the grand tour! Maybe we could get some photos with a "bird's eye" view of the new house?<BR/><BR/>Hello, Roxie!! <BR/><BR/>Stay safe from the hurricanes please. My buddy, Tammy Lynn of the Book Basket is a BIG fan! I've read some of your books and I really LOVE them. Your heroes are just irresistible. And with photo inspiration like that I can see why!!<BR/><BR/>I love series / trilogies. Any time I read a book in a series I feel like I am visiting with old friends. There is something comforting and FUN about that. <BR/><BR/>As you are writing the unfolding of the crime, how hard is it to know which clues to include for the reader and which ones to leave out?Louisa Cornellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12971924594129471055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-48068010765152675872008-08-29T21:35:00.000-04:002008-08-29T21:35:00.000-04:00I like the series to be a triolgy. To me three boo...I like the series to be a triolgy. To me three books usually tells the story. I also don't like the books to be spaced out to far in between each book. I had a series that it took two years to get the last book. I hated that. I am not sure what happened for it to take so long on the last book. I am sure it was out of the authors control. <BR/><BR/>By the way Roxanne I do love your books, so keep up the good work.Virginiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06924888528166831610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-30666400031745985452008-08-29T20:33:00.000-04:002008-08-29T20:33:00.000-04:00JoMama, are you crazy? On the treadmill on a day ...JoMama, are you crazy? On the treadmill on a day like today? Just breathing in and out in that kind of heat is workout enough! Ha!Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-76520216477497537292008-08-29T20:32:00.000-04:002008-08-29T20:32:00.000-04:00Ya' know, Joanie, I'll bet that IS irritat...Ya' know, Joanie, I'll bet that IS irritating to not be able to find the backlist. I went looking for Patricia Briggs's backlist and couldn't find it, but was able to order it. Still...yeah, that's irritating! :>Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-75064017941953236972008-08-29T20:18:00.000-04:002008-08-29T20:18:00.000-04:00Hehehehe, of course I napped. I'm not a young chi...Hehehehe, of course I napped. I'm not a young chick like you and Rocki. Plus doing the treadmill in 100-degree weather is so not smart.<BR/><BR/>The Lair really is a great place for readers to pick up names of debut authors and young-old favorites like Roxanne.<BR/><BR/>If you haven't tried her BC books, I promise you won't be disappointed.<BR/><BR/>And honestly, I'm still amazed at how fast you write, Rocki. Hats off to you! Uh, can I steal some of your energy?jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-14748966096887037952008-08-29T20:06:00.000-04:002008-08-29T20:06:00.000-04:00Its nice to discover they have a backlist that you...<I>Its nice to discover they have a backlist that you can devour, isn't it? </I><BR/><BR/>It is, Jeanne unless you can't FIND the backlist....<BR/><BR/>Gena Showalter...The Stone Prince...The Pleasure Slave....Joanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12566704374877697300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-37655884263085591672008-08-29T19:49:00.000-04:002008-08-29T19:49:00.000-04:00Hi Suz! I usually do this too..the stumbling on a...Hi Suz! I usually do this too..the stumbling on an author thing. :> Our guests here in the Lair are usually the cause! Ha! Its nice to discover they have a backlist that you can devour, isn't it?Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-35257063613252606532008-08-29T19:48:00.000-04:002008-08-29T19:48:00.000-04:00Hey Jo! Did you get a nap? I thought the comment...Hey Jo! Did you get a nap? I thought the comment made perfect sense. :>Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-54142685852222467972008-08-29T19:29:00.000-04:002008-08-29T19:29:00.000-04:00Welcome to the Lair, Roxanne!Hey Christie!! Congra...Welcome to the Lair, Roxanne!<BR/><BR/>Hey Christie!! Congrats on the GR!!<BR/><BR/>So, series books.....LOVE THEM! Especially when the hero from the next book appears in the previous one; however, I don't read anything in order. Usually, I stumble onto a writer somewhere after book two, so I have to go back and read the whole backlist of the series.Suzanne Ferrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05761579189372602292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-87831820126434441042008-08-29T18:37:00.000-04:002008-08-29T18:37:00.000-04:00Welcomes Rocki. I love your Bulletcatchers.Welcomes Rocki. I love your Bulletcatchers.Elloryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02467417542585057304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-2743271005897858142008-08-29T18:34:00.000-04:002008-08-29T18:34:00.000-04:00If I get to read them in order that's great and I'...If I get to read them in order that's great and I'm happy, but if there are alot in a series and I come in the middle or towards the end, it's hard for me to bo back, so I'll just start there.Dinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13363922982973526678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-57081007352021721052008-08-29T18:14:00.000-04:002008-08-29T18:14:00.000-04:00I agree with you, Joan. I like them all. Sometim...I agree with you, Joan. I like them all. Sometimes an author will go years between series with several stand alone books in between. Sometimes, it's all two-book and three-book series. Depends on the story, but I like 'em all.Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-62067134217342210462008-08-29T17:23:00.000-04:002008-08-29T17:23:00.000-04:00See, I think series, stand alones, trilogies etc. ...See, I think series, stand alones, trilogies etc. are so individualistic. It depends solely on the story and how the author tells it.<BR/><BR/>Take Donna's "The Trouble with Moonlight". I really, really want to know Portia's story. And the youngest sister too...so much potential! Maybe someday I'll get to.<BR/><BR/>I also love getting the connected books quick as in one every month for 3 months. Hard works for the author I'm sure, but man, it's torture waiting 3 mo. 6mo. or a year!Joanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12566704374877697300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-1803002858598329512008-08-29T17:22:00.000-04:002008-08-29T17:22:00.000-04:00Welcome, Roxanne. Enjoyed your post today.I like ...Welcome, Roxanne. Enjoyed your post today.<BR/>I like series as I want to hear about people from earlier books that I got to know and find out more about them. Also many times the earlier books have secondary characters that you would love to read more about and also have them find their 'happy ever after'. I prefer to read a series in order if I can, but will read them out of sequence if I enjoy a book and want to read earlier stories I missed.Shari Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01144557689029067599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-44765943169141908702008-08-29T17:18:00.000-04:002008-08-29T17:18:00.000-04:00That's true, Jeanne; some authors are better at ma...That's true, Jeanne; some authors are better at making the individual books stand-alones. I imagine it takes quite an effort and sense of control over the plotting and characters.<BR/><BR/>Rocki, you do find yourself struggling to avoid repetitions in your efforts (which you do very well, BTW) to make your BC books able to work as stand alones?<BR/><BR/>And even though the trend is toward series, which I do enjoy very much, I hope the purely stand alone books are not a thing of the past. As a writer, sometimes I just don't want to visit a particular world I've created!<BR/><BR/>And as a reader, there's something awfully satisfying about that once-in-a-lifetime story.<BR/><BR/>Okay, that probably made no sense. I need a nap!jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.com