Happy Fri-yay, Seekerville!! I am delighted to welcome Elaine Stock to the blog today - I love her heart & her books, and it's always a pleasure to hear from her.
Before I turn it over to Elaine, let's take a look at her new book, When Love Blossoms...
Kierra Madden, proprietor of the Kindred Lake Inn, struggles for stability after her engagement ends, family strife continues, and business slows. When her mom, sister and teenage niece move in with her, life becomes a lot more complicated. There’s certainly spare room…until one guest arrives…on his bicycle. Ryan Delaney is fit and trim…quite the eye candy.
Ryan, a TV news anchor on a leave of absence following a horrific incident, enjoys the peace long-distance biking offers. Only in town to mend his strained relationship with his teen daughter, he never expects to fall for Kierra fast and hard. Despite her policy of separating business and pleasure, mutual attraction pulls them closer until unforeseen consequences threaten to wedge between them.
Surrounded by springtime beauty, will the temptation of desire bloom into a more powerful and lasting love?
Won't you join me in giving her a big Seekerville welcome??
How to Keep the Romance in a Romance Novel
By Elaine Stock
Always
a forever first: Thank you, Carrie Schmidt, for all things Seekerville related
and especially for your utmost patience and confidence in me.
Hello,
Seekerville! Thanks for welcoming me back!
Here
are a few not necessarily random tidbits about me:
--I
love Cole Porter songs
--As
a child I paired up my Crayola Crayons in couples (the bright colors were
girls, the dark colors boy)
--This
July 4th will be my 37th wedding anniversary (I was a
child bride—LOL!)
--When
seeing a father carrying a child on his shoulders or a mom kneeling on a
cement-hard store floor before her little girl to gently calm the child’s
sobs—all complete strangers to me—I will break out in tears over the beauty of
family love.
Why?
Because in addition to uniting couples in my fictional worlds and tossing at
them obstacles to challenge their budding love for each other, I’m Passionate
about love’s dynamics between family members. And yes, that is a capital P in
passionate!
Ah,
but it’s a romance you want to read, huh? Maybe that’s where I’m a wee
different…or not (I’d love to hear your take on this in the comment section),
because I believe that for love to be strong and lasting for Jack and Janelle
or Alex and Ariel the love must transcend past the point of immediate
attraction and desire and encompass how this growing, heating relationship
affects their loved ones, be it family or friends. The couple likely won’t hop
into their private plane and fly off to a desert island to forever exclude all
others from their lives. Love can only thrive when not in isolation.
Enough
with the philosophy of love. You’re writers and readers. Are you wondering how
to write/read romances that expand beyond the hero and heroine, yet at the
story’s end you will sigh (hopefully) in joy? I could spend hours analyzing the
authors who are stars at writing romances, but instead I will offer what works
for me:
- Keep the hero and heroine in the limelight. This is their story. It helps to limit the Point of View to only his and her perspectives.
- Like descriptions of surroundings, sensory perceptions, and many other etceteras, all secondary characters are secondary including their premise, plot, turning points, and conflicts, yet…
- The hero and heroine must be seen engaging with these secondary characters (for me, it’s typically family, though you may have another association in mind). For instance, can your heroine ask for advice from an older brother? Will the hero’s aunt, the one who raised him but then disowned him, step back into the picture and wedge between him and this woman he’s falling madly in love with?
- If your secondary characters’ sub-story is strong enough to impact the hero and heroine then keep their plot line, descriptions (physical, emotional, likes, dislikes, the way they act) to a minimal. They must not take over the story and take away from the romance. Keep the romance in the reader’s mind at all times.
To paraphrase Cole Porter in his song, Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love): everyone and everything falls in
love; love is what keeps us alive.
Elaine Stock is an award-winning author of Women's & Inspirational
Fiction to uplift with hope of better tomorrows. Her
novel, Her Good Girl, received the
Outstanding Christian/Religious Fiction in the 2018 IAN Book of the Year
Awards, 2018 Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal in Christian Fiction and the 2018
American Fiction Awards in the Christian Inspirational category.
Elaine is a member of Women’s Fiction Writers Association, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Romance Writers of America. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Elaine has now been living in upstate, rural New York with her husband for more years than her stint as a NYC gal. She enjoys long walks down country roads, visiting New England towns, and of course, a good book.
Visit with Elaine at
https://www.elainestock.com
https://twitter.com/ElaineStock
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorElaine....
https://www.elainestock.com
https://twitter.com/ElaineStock
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorElaine....
Get a free book at: https://elainestock.com/free-gift-for-you
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1JYAwNy
Elaine is giving away (1) Kindle edition of When Love Blossoms.
This is Book 2 of the Kindred Lake Series, however it is a standalone read.
US ONLY
Comment below for a chance to win!
Hi Elaine:
ReplyDeleteThanks!
You've made some great points that I wish more writers would observe. As a reader, I feel that, just as country music keeps moving towards rock and rap, romance keeps moving towards mainstream fiction. I'd love to see more romance in romances.
In addition to what you've mentioned, I'd also be happy if there were more romantic acts in romances. For me it is the romantic behavior that makes the magic in romance. How much about being romantic would a young person learn by reading many of today's romances? I fear very little.
I'm a New Yorker, too. Born on Long Island. One of my favorite songs is also, "Let's Do It". I like Louis Armstrong's version best. How about you?
BTW: Have you've seen "Midnight in Paris"? Cole Porter plays a big role in that movie. I just loved it.
Thanks again and have a great visit.
Vince
Good morning, Vince! I had no idea you were from NY and that we were once "neighbors" . We writers must make publishers dizzy between our stories that are Women's Fiction with Romance elements, Romance with Women's Fiction elements, Mainstream with Inspirational elements, and of course the always reliable Amish Fiction/Sci-Fi/Murder Mystery with Literary elements. Ha! But, you've made a good point: readers who pick up a romance want to read a romance. As Ruthy says below, in Inspirational Romance it's the author's job to focus on the emotions, which is the reason why I tend to think of these romances more as Love Stories. With me though, I do incorporate the love story to include family and friends.
DeleteI do have the DVD of Midnight in Paris...maybe I'll watch it again this weekend. Glad you mentioned it!
Is that the one where Owen Wilson time-travels? If it is, I love it too.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteElaine, welcome to Seekerville... and you made so many good points here. And look, three New Yorkers! You, me and Vince. SUHWEEEEET!
ReplyDeleteOkay, in answer to Vince's thought about more romantic moments, sometimes that's governed by keeping the conflict strong... and the length of the book. And the "heat" level of the book. In straight romance you'll often find that heat turned on fairly early in the book, but we can't do that in a Christian romance so to build a realistic story we stress the emotion more, but it does make it a different book.
And "Let's Do It" is a great song....
Hi, Ruthy. I agree, and made mention of what you've said above in my reply to Vince. In addition to seeing the role of faith, I believe readers who read Inspirational Romance appreciate the emotional conflicts much more then what occurs behind the closed bedroom door. There are books out there to accommodate many readers' preferences and I'm thankful we're living in an age when this is permitted and we get to write about God's love for us and our love for God.
DeleteOh yes...Yay, New Yorkers!!
DeleteGreat post, Elaine! You mentioned how their relationship "affects their loved ones, be it family or friends."
ReplyDeleteYou know, I hadn't really thought about it in that context, but all (or most) of my heroes and heroines struggle throughout the story with issues that deal with family, in addition to whatever specific thing is keeping them apart. Sometimes the two issues are tightly entwined. Sometimes not so much.
Hello, Pam. We human beings are designed to need company in our journeys through life. I'm sure your family relations in your novels have come about naturally for this reason.
DeleteI'm glad you like the post. Thank you.
Elaine this is so true. I write contemporary and historical romance and I want to bring to my couples more than looks, or even chemistry (although a little "eye candy" doesn't hurt on either end. And if we're doing Christian romance, it has to be the idea that God put these two people on earth specifically to build each other up. No matter how long it takes.
ReplyDeleteAt my husband's conference in Boston and getting a lot done. I did go to some of the sessions and was blessed (it's the district conference for our denom).
Will check back later,
Kathy Bailey
A Home For the Hert
Hi, Kathy. I love your description/definition of Christian romance: it has to be the idea that God put these two people on earth specifically to build each other up. No matter how long it takes.
DeleteThanks for your visit.
Enjoy the conference!
PS - I'm all for eye candy ;)
DeleteUM, that was supposed to be "A Home For the Heart."
ReplyDeleteoh but A Home For the Hert is so unique - you might have something there KB ;)
DeleteLove your logo, Elaine! And your new release sounds delightful!
ReplyDeleteI often include sacrificial love in my hero/heroine relationships. Just as Christ died for our sins and our salvation, I sometimes push my characters to that life or death moment where they are willing to give their all for the person they love. Of course, I write suspense so it's appropriate in the climax. I always think of O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi and the characters' willingness to give up their prized possession and what they want most for the other. That's sacrificial.
Great reflection on family and how the love between a hero and heroine can impact a family dynamic. :)
Debby, I appreciate the concept of sacrificial love. That is really what makes a relationship. Would love to get that into more of my stories.
DeleteDebby, thanks for your comment and your sweet words on my author logo. It took several attempts to create what I wanted...now just have to use it more!
DeleteSacrificial love--that's an amazing topic in itself and I'd love to see a post on that one. Hint, hint.
ooo yes - Debby - brilliant post idea!
DeleteElaine is also on point with the fact that none of this happens in a vacuum, and a relationship will be affected by the people and conditions around it. A well-used trope (and used because it's so valid) is the hero or heroine who comes back to make amends over the past and his/her family doesn't trust him or her. Or a whole small town doesn't trust him/her. reunion romances are often spiked with this mistrust.
ReplyDeleteKaybee
Contributing to the conversation from Boston
Kathy, I agree and am happy you've swung by again to add this. Actually, this trope you've mentioned is the very premise of Book 1 of this Kindred Lake Series, Christmas Love Year Round. This is a story of how Kami had bullied Gavin as a teen, only for them to become neighbors as adults and then to fall in love. Yet (and don't you love yets) they have to deal with both sides of their families not trusting the other.
Deletei thought that was such an insightful point as well!
DeleteI thought all the 4 tips were really iterations of the same point: keep the main romance the main story.
ReplyDeleteI agree, and I love to read novels that have a secondary character learning lessons of love from the main characters. In fact, I'm in the middle of writing the 4th in my "Love is" series, after Morgan's wedding. Her best friends April and Candy are both struggling with their own romances, and Morgan projects her newlywed problems onto them. I'll definitely keep this post in mind, though, so that I don't overshadow Morgan's marriage with the secondary romances. Thanks.
secondary romances are good too but sometimes those become my favorite instead of the main couple. Which, is fine I suppose, but probably not what the author intended. Good point, Lila!
DeleteLila, I hear the thoughts cycling through your mind to safeguard your story and characters. Well, not literally do I hear, but... I'm glad this post has helped. Happy writing!
DeleteHi Elaine:
ReplyDeleteI wrote my first comment very late last night after reading your post. I just really noticed the cover of your new release, "When Love Blossoms"! That's about as romantic as it gets! I've already downloaded it and have started reading it. I think you came along at just the right time!
Vince, you came along at my author's right time with your eagerness (which spells encouragement for me) to read Kierra and Ryan's story. May their story bless you with the Hope of His love.
DeleteElaine! Such a great post! Thanks for letting me share it! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carrie. It is a true honor for me to visit with Seekers!!
DeleteI'm just a toe dabbler in the romance field, but this post offered great practical advice even for me. Thank you; I'll keep these tips in mind! :0)
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear this, Samantha. Happy Writing!
DeleteYou made some excellent points, Elaine!
ReplyDeleteI've realized that I tend to put the romance in my stories as an afterthought. I'm focused on the story, the historical setting, etc, but somehow the characters still need to fall in love.
You've given me some food for thought as I work on my next story. Thanks!
Hi, Jan. I'm happy to help. We're all so focused on our characters who are 3-D in our minds that we need to remember that the reader doesn't reside there. At least I have to remind myself of this-LOL.
DeleteGood post, Elaine. It is good to remember that other characters and their relationships to the main character are important, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Sandy. I'm glad to know that you got some pointers from this post. Enjoy the weekend.
DeleteWelcome to Seekerville. Excellent tips, and a wonderful reminder that our characters' romance doesn't take place in a vacuum.
ReplyDeleteErica, it's too easy to focus only on our heroines and heroes, right? Thanks for the kind words.
DeleteI'm late to the party!! Elaine, we're so glad you were with us today. Thanks for these great tips! I have had secondary characters try to take over, so this is helpful for me.
ReplyDeleteNo matter the time, Missy, I'm thrilled to see you. I'm thankful for your appreciation of what I've shared as well. It's sometimes difficult to keep secondary characters secondary when they want a starring role...we'll just have to give them their own novel!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete