tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post3460189828289135180..comments2024-02-16T15:14:36.719-06:00Comments on Wet Noodle Posse: The Romantic Suspense in the Golden HeartMJFredrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06881706931355203700noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-88728195992062690122007-10-22T06:11:00.000-05:002007-10-22T06:11:00.000-05:00I dug out my notes from a workshop I attended; I d...I dug out my notes from a workshop I attended; I don't write romantic suspense (yet ;))but I learn SO much from paying attention to how writers in different genres approach their work.<BR/><BR/>The big things the presenter mentioned were the romance and suspense feeding off each other, and the pacing being so key, the sense of urgency in the story, and to give the villain a POV, even if it was sparing. She said if you really, truly understand what motivates your villain(s), then your entire story flows so much better.<BR/><BR/>I had never thought about that, so it really stuck with me.<BR/><BR/>Great post!Gillian Laynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15772849187702478349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-29237800406263704872007-10-21T22:21:00.000-05:002007-10-21T22:21:00.000-05:00doglady, it's definitely a delicate balance. Often...doglady, it's definitely a delicate balance. Often, you have to go with your gut or have a totally new set of eyes give it a cold read to let you know his or her impression of how you've handled the balance.Trish Milburnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08812010789617982102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-33917490315677761742007-10-21T18:02:00.000-05:002007-10-21T18:02:00.000-05:00To me this has got to be one of the hardest genres...To me this has got to be one of the hardest genres to write. I cannot imagine balancing a good mystery with a good romance. I have outlined my next WIP and while it is a historical romance there is a mystery in it. Even as I outlined it I thought "How much time do you give to the mystery and how much time do you give to the romance?"dogladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03392561174583932552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-59059205836111463992007-10-21T14:51:00.000-05:002007-10-21T14:51:00.000-05:00Love that ending line, Trish : ) Great advice!Love that ending line, Trish : ) Great advice!Jill Monroehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12917867670224368810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-82549327492281860482007-10-21T13:34:00.000-05:002007-10-21T13:34:00.000-05:00Very good point, Diane. It's important to put the ...Very good point, Diane. It's important to put the important romance progression and turning points in the synopsis as well as the more "plot-heavy" suspense stuff. The two elements need to be woven together there the same as they are in the manuscript.Trish Milburnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08812010789617982102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-70616579710832123472007-10-21T11:25:00.000-05:002007-10-21T11:25:00.000-05:00I definitely tend to skew toward having a suspense...I definitely tend to skew toward having a suspense/mystery with a romantic subplot. It'll be interesting to see how much of that Kensington lets me get away with.Esri Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00912657945785764363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-1980655291525779212007-10-21T11:06:00.000-05:002007-10-21T11:06:00.000-05:00One pitfall that’s seen in some romantic suspense ...<I>One pitfall that’s seen in some romantic suspense manuscripts is too much focus on the suspense. Remember, the romance is key. </I><BR/><BR/>I think this is one area where the synopsis is so important. In a contest entry of only a fraction of the book, sometimes the only way the judge can decide about how much romance there is, is to look to the synopsis. And it is such a common tendency to focus on all the twists and turns of a suspense plot (or any external plot) and neglect the romance. <BR/><BR/>We should have one hot discussion when the synopses blog is up!Diane Gastonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14770373530197339170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-40770035236007516362007-10-21T09:20:00.000-05:002007-10-21T09:20:00.000-05:00Thanks for the info, Trish! I really appreciate it...Thanks for the info, Trish! I really appreciate it. I'm glad to hear that making love after a life-threatening incident is appropriate. I had a feeling a love scene in my manuscript was okay where it was, but I'm always questioning everything. Thanks again for the tips!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00069171305841643184noreply@blogger.com