This question came up today on a loop I’m part of, and I thought I’d share (with Nicki’s permission) both question and answer because they might help someone else too.
There I was, all happy and excited that a short scene from the villain’s POV (628 words) just flowed like water. Until I started pondering how evil came shockingly naturally…
*sheepish look* Should I be concerned?
Nicki
No, Nicki. You should not be concerned!
I’m coming to realise more and more that the villain in any book—whether contemporary romance or thriller—is vital to the success and saleability of the work.
If you don’t have a villain—a really nasty, wicked, gut-wrenching son-of-a-supermarket-salesman—then you’re short-changing your reader by evading maximum conflict.
I’m not saying a villain has to be a mustache-twirling git in a cape and glow-in-the-dark Y-Fronts. It can be the heroine’s own emotions, or the situation she finds herself in, or the hero, or a thousand other things. And the villain can change depending on the scene you’re writing.
But (and this is the key) there has to be a villain—an antagonist of some description—in every scene. If there isn’t then all you have is someone doing something for no good reason and against no opposition—and therefore creating no tension and no reason for a reader to give a damn.
So, by all means, draw out your inner villain!
Gracie
(Okay, I had some flak over the glow-in-the-dark Y-Fronts. But hey. If it gets the point across…)
Popularity: 2%
Learning how to edit your own work properly is worth every homicidal—or suicidal—moment. Learning how to critique someone else’s work can be both educational and wonderfully therapeutic because it shows you you’re not alone— neither in your mistakes nor in your desire to rip someone’s head off for pointing them out. Bless their hearts.
The best thing I ever did for my writing career and growth was to become part of a critique group. If it wasn’t for my critique partners—Jem, Bron, Rach, and Karen— I’d have sent out some absolute crap over the last few years. They keep me from settling for an easy fix to a problem, ask annoying questions about stuff I haven’t thought through properly, tell me what they like and don’t like, drive large tanks through my plot holes, and offer me hope, cuddles, shoulders, and cyber chocolate when all looks dark and completely depressing. I try to do the same for them.
Here are five things to keep in mind when you’re considering critique partners.
- Beginning a critique partner relationship is like getting a new puppy. It’s fun. It’s cute. But sooner or later someone is going to get upset and howl at the neighbours, chew slippers, or pee on the carpet. Try and make sure it isn’t you. If it is, apologise, clean up, and provide chocolate. If it’s someone else, explain the rules of the house, and forgive. Either way, hugs and pats and some bonding time together is always appropriate.
- Have a least one critique partner who is familiar with the conventions of the romance genre and, if possible, with the subgenre you write.
- This is a two-way or (clears throat) multiple relationship. Don’t just take from it. Make time to give your best to each other. Remember, the more people in your group the more time you need to put aside. When all of us are working on something with the same deadline it can get hairy.
- With reference to number 3. above. “That’s great!” is not a critique. It’s a cop out. Be nice, but its your job to help each other, so spend time looking at the work with a critical eye and with a view to its improvement.
- Grow a thick skin. In the words of the late William Safire, “Nobody stands taller than those willing to stand corrected.” It’s so easy to get upset and offended when people find things “wrong” in work you’ve slaved over. Suck it up. It’ll happen in the real publishing world too, so get over it now while you’re working with those who love you.
Bonus tip: Don’t ask your mother to critique your work. Really. Don’t. I’m sure she’d be both nice and truthful, but the poor woman has already raised you—and is probably still hoping you’ll outgrow this phase of your life and get a real job making pots of money—so give her a break. It means Christmas and other family get- togethers are a lot less stressful.
And that’s probably enough from me.
Popularity: 13%
Tags: Critique Partners, Editing
My guest today is Dr. Charley Ferrer, a world renowned Clinical Sexologist, Radio/TV Producer, and award-winning author of eight books on sexuality and self-empowerment. She also has two new books out—BDSM The Naked Truth and, of special interest to the writers among us, BDSM For Writers.
I first met Dr. Charley online at Savvy Authors and—in my capacity as editor of RWNZ’s professional magazine, Heart To Heart—asked her if she’d write an article for us on Erotica. She very graciously agreed, we corresponded back and forth a few times, she wrote another article for us discussing BDSM and dialogue, and the rest is history.
One of the things I’ve appreciated very much about Dr. Charley is her positive attitude to being questioned. Nothing seems to be too stupid to ask (and trust me, I’ve asked some doozies) which is great because, for a lot of us, the subject of sex—in any of its incarnations—isn’t the easiest thing to discuss in detail. In fact, most of my non-writing acquaintances would have kittens if they knew I could even spell BDSM. Read the rest of this entry »
Popularity: 49%
Tags: Sex on the Page
Sometimes in this business you’re lucky enough to meet a person you click with, a teacher whose style resonates with you. If you’re really lucky this happens to you near the beginning of your career–before you reach the head-banging stage where you have to unlearn the stuff you shouldn’t have spent your time and money on learning in the first place.
For me, Margie Lawson was that person, that teacher, and I’m so thrilled she’s here with me today. [Has Fan Girl moment] Welcome Margie!
I first “met” Margie online through her courses and then, a couple of years later, in person here in New Zealand at our RWNZ national conference. She gave me confidence that my writing could be improved. That there were tricks to the trade. That, while I might not be a NYT bestselling author yet, there was no reason why I couldn’t be.
A psychotherapist, writer, and international presenter Margie has developed innovative editing systems and deep editing techniques for use by writers, from newbies to NYT Bestsellers. She teaches how to edit for psychological power, how to hook the reader viscerally, how to create a page-turner. Read the rest of this entry »
Popularity: 100%
Tags: Craft
As a reader–and as a writer–how can you support the authors whose work you love? Buy their books? Absolutely! But is that all? Absolutely not.
In her blog Inspirational author, Jody Hedlund, (The Preacher’s Bride and The Doctor’s Lady) shares ten ways to take your enthusiasm and put it to good use.
When you’ve read it come back and tell us who you’re going to support today, and how you’re going to do it. Oh, and if you’ve got another good idea that’s not on Jody’s list come back and share it here!
Popularity: 33%
Tags: Supporting Each Other
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