For Writers: What I Use to Plot a Novel

Brad Paisley Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one

The Writing Resources page of my website has been updated with more links to articles and resources that I’ve found helpful or interesting over the past few years.

Two of the additions under the heading “Plotting Methods” are the ones I now use for each book:

Together these articles provide a reminder list of what to include when I’m first laying out the overall plan of a project and help me keep the story focused and powerful, as well as personal to the characters.

I hope these resources are helpful to other writers as well. Best of luck with your storytelling!

Sloan’s Favorites: My Fave M/M “Dad, meet my boyfriend” Scene

Here’s another selection in my “Favorite Scenes” series. It’s from MORE THAN JUST A GOOD BOOK.

Why I chose this excerpt: The relationship between Scott and his father was a special part of this story for me. I wanted to show that the most important man in Scott’s life had always been his dad. Until he met Mark. His dad and Mark could’ve ended up fighting over Scott’s attention, but that wasn’t the kind of man I wanted his father to be. When I was writing the scene below, I knew that a dad who so deeply loved and cared for his son could’ve attacked Mark as soon as he saw those bruises, before listening to Scott. But Scott’s dad was the kind of man who typically listened first, then reacted. I love how this scene showcases that. Of course his dad wants to immediately take Scott out of the situation, but he also stops to find out the truth, find out what his son wants and how he feels about it.

Please note: Amazon currently has this title listed as part of the MORE series. It is not. We’re working with Amazon to get that information corrected. 

SP_MoreThanJustAGoodBook_coverMd

“Your roommates said you’d moved out. Owen at the coffee shop told me where to find this place.” He threw a heated look Mark’s way. “I’m guessing it was your idea that my son lie to me?”

“No,” Scott said. “Dad, I—”

“Not telling me you’re living with someone is lying. The kind of man who encourages you to lie to me is not good enough for you.”

It wasn’t hard to miss the clench of Mark’s jaw. He didn’t react, though. His voice was neutral when he said, “I should go put on some clothes.”

“Yeah, you do that.” Scott’s dad turned his back on Mark.

Mark gave Scott a look, part apology, part worry, part support, then headed for his bedroom.

After the bedroom door shut, his dad opened his mouth as if to say something else but gasped instead. He gripped Scott by the elbows and held his arms up, examining one wrist, then the other. The slight bruising was almost gone, but it was still obvious enough, even in the low light of the candles. And with the way the marks had faded, they looked like fingerprints wrapped around Scott’s arms.

“Did he do this to you?”

“It’s not—”

“Go get your things, Scott. You’re not staying here.”

A flash of lightning lit up the room, immediately followed by a crack of thunder that tore through the small apartment.

Scott stood frozen in place. He’d never heard his dad sound so pissed off.

“Dad, it’s nothing.”

“Nothing?” He reached for Scott’s arm again. “He’s hurting you.”

“No!” Scott kept his gaze locked on the floor. He so didn’t want to explain this. “Please don’t ask.” That was when the lights decided to turn back on. Perfect timing. Out of the corner of his eye, Scott could see his dad intensely watching him.

“Is he hurting you?”

Scott shook his head.

“Is someone else?”

“No.” He crossed the room and dropped onto the couch. His still-heated ass stung with the action. He held back the wince.

His dad came to sit next to him. “What happened?” He examined Scott’s wrists again, more closely this time. “This is from being tied up.”

“Please. Can we just drop it? You’re my dad.”

“That’s why I have to know.”

“But it’s embarrassing talking about this with you.”

“I’m sorry about that, but we are not going to drop it. Mark did this to you?”

Oh God. What was he supposed to say?

“He ties you up?”

Scott nodded.

His dad didn’t say anything more right away. Hopefully he’d decided to let the completely embarrassing conversation go.

Or not.

More softly he asked, “It’s something you want him to do?”

Yet again, Scott couldn’t find the words.

“I have to know, Scott. Is this from him doing something you wanted?”

“Yes.”

“It’s something you enjoy?”

There was no getting out of admitting the truth. He swallowed, then spoke again in a rush. “Yes.”

“Does he hit you?”

He could still feel the warm sting of Mark’s hand on him. He searched for the right words. “He doesn’t hurt me.” He dropped his head and buried his face in his hands. His next words were muffled. “Can we not talk about this?”

There was a long pause, and then his dad said, “It’s okay.” He ran a comforting hand over Scott’s back, then sank back farther on the couch. “In fact, your mother liked that sort of thing.”

“Dad!” Scott lifted his head but still couldn’t face him.

“Oh, I forgot. Parents don’t have sex.” He could tell his dad was smiling now. “She was a wonderful person. Having a lot in common with her is not a bad thing.”

“I know.” He always loved when his dad compared him to her. He wouldn’t let what they were talking about change that reaction.

“I should’ve guessed when I saw those marks. She bruised easily like you. It’s just… I worry about you.”

“Mark is a really good guy. He cares about me.”

“I can see that.”

Scott looked at his dad for the first time since moving to the couch. He was staring off toward the end of the hallway.

Mark stood there, now fully dressed, concern evident in the confused expression on his face. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah.” Scott tried to keep his voice even, despite the awkwardness of the moment. “Everything’s fine.”

Mark nodded. “Okay. I’ll let you two talk.” He hesitated like it was taking all his effort to walk away. He gave Scott another nod and headed back down the hall for his room.

After the door closed, his dad said, “I trust you. I trust your judgment. But I need you to promise me one thing. That you’ll never let him or anyone else do something you don’t want. No matter what you feel for him. And if it becomes too much, if it’s changing into something you don’t want and you don’t know how to walk away, you’ll come talk to me.”

“I promise. Can we not talk about this anymore?”

(c) Sloan Parker, 2013. All Rights Reserved.

The full story is available at: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | iBooks | B&N | All Romance eBooks | Kobo | Google Play

19 Prizes in our September M/M Reader Appreciation Day Giveaway

The Sweet Spot

The next Reader Appreciation Day is this Saturday, September 19th. The event is hosted by SJ FrostJambrea Jo Jones, and me at the Sweet Spot Yahoo Group.

Stop by the Yahoo Group to enter the giveaway, read excerpts, and chat with authors of M/M romances. The giveaway runs from 8 am – 8 pm Eastern Time.

Here are the books available in the giveaway (some of the authors are offering winner’s choice from their backlist):

RAD_09_2015_Banner_01 RAD_09_2015_Banner_04 RAD_09_2015_Banner_03 RAD_09_2015_Banner_02

Here’s how to enter:

  1. If you haven’t already, join the Yahoo Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheSweetSpotMM/
  2. On Saturday, September 19th watch the group page (or your email if you choose to receive emails from the group) for a message with instructions on how to enter. The subject of the post should read something like “RAD Giveaway: Reply for a chance to win”
  3. Reply to that message anytime between 8 am and 8 pm Eastern Time indicating you’d like to enter the giveaway.

That’s it. You’ll be added to the drawing for a chance at a random prize.


Complete List of Prizes & Donating Authors

If a book or prize is listed more than once, the author has donated multiple copies and there will be more than one winner selected.

  • Karenna Colcroft – PDF copy of SALAD ON THE SIDE
  • Megan Linden – ebook copy of SERVE & PROTECT (1st winner)
  • Megan Linden – ebook copy of SERVE & PROTECT (2nd winner)
  • DP Denman – ebook copy of BLUE (due out 9/25/15)
  • Marie Sexton – ebook copy of winner’s choice from backlist
  • Chris McHart – ebook copy of SMALL STEPS
  • Leigh Ellwood – ebook copy of winner’s choice from backlist
  • ARe Books – one ebook copy of winner’s choice from their OUT FOR YOU collection. Authors include Daisy Harris, Sean Michael, B.A. Tortuga, Shannon West, Amber Kell, Sam Crescent, Jenika Snow, Sara York, and Lexxie Couper. Anastasia Vitsky and Leigh Ellwood have FF books in this collection. (1st winner)
  • ARe Books – one ebook copy of winner’s choice from their OUT FOR YOU collection. (2nd winner)
  • ARe Books – one ebook copy of winner’s choice from their OUT FOR YOU collection. (3rd winner)
  • VS Morgan – ebook copy of HUNTER’S MARK
  • L.M. Brown – ebook copy of TEMPESTUOUS TIDES
  • Cherie Noel – ebook copy of STORMING LOVE: FLOOD–SAM & PATRIC
  • BLMorticia – ebook copy of UNDER THE GUN
  • Evelise Archer – ebook copy of THE LEGEND OF THE DIAMOND GLOBE
  • Evelise Archer – $5 GC to Amazon
  • Sloan Parker – ebook copy of winner’s choice from backlist
  • Jambrea Jo Jones – ebook copy of winner’s choice from backlist
  • S.J. Frost – ebook copy of winner’s choice from backlist

Hope you can join us at The Sweet Spot Reader Appreciation Day.

Authors of M/M romances, if you’re interested in joining us for our next RAD, we’d love to have you. Send me an email and I’ll add you to our author contact list.

Sloan’s Favorites: An excerpt from my M/M Erotic Romance THE BREAK-IN

Here’s my fourth selection in my “Favorite Scenes” series.

Why I chose this excerpt: I’ve always been a fan of the calm, private moments where people who are in love allow themselves to be vulnerable with each other, when they are lying in bed together, sharing intimacies and dialogue that only they (and the reader) can fully understand.

Cover-Md-TheBreakIn

Spoiler Alert: this excerpt is taken from the end of the story and gives away certain twists.

Roger sighed. “Damn. You always were a sweet fuck.”

I laughed and smacked his arm. “I’m feeling the love.”

He sat up so fast the bed creaked. He leaned over me. “You should. And next time, don’t run from it.”

I nodded, and Roger sank back to the bed.

Doug reached for the blankets and lifted them over us. “Sleep.”

I could do that. I hadn’t been so relaxed since the night before I’d been arrested.

“Billy,” Roger said.

“Huh?”

“I think we had a break-in. They left the window open.”

I laughed again. Leaving the window open had been my reminder I had to leave. When I jerked off on their sheets, it was easy to focus on my cock and forget my heart. Forget I didn’t belong there.

I threw the covers back, lunged for the window across the room, and tripped. I landed on the floor with my feet stuck in the twisted blanket and my hands gripping the long curtains on either side of the window.

Doug laughed, cackled, whatever you called it when someone couldn’t sit up and was clutching their gut while the laughs poured out.

Roger shifted to the foot of the bed and peered down at me. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I am now.” I kicked off the blanket, stood, and slammed the window shut. The faint sounds of honking horns, the hum of the traffic, the occasional shout disappeared. All I heard was the slowing laughter behind me and the low, deep voice that said, “You’re home, Billy.”

(c) Sloan Parker, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

The full story is available at: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | iBooks | B&N | All Romance eBooks | Kobo | Google Play

Sloan’s Favorites: An excerpt from my friends-to-lovers story SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN

Here’s my third selection in my “Favorite Scenes” series.

Why I chose this excerpt: This moment illustrates for me just how special being in that hotel room is for Sean and Gavin. For the first time, Sean feels like he’s getting a look at the real Gavin in a way he never had before.

Something to Believe In Quote

Gavin hit mute on the TV, tossed the remote aside. “Where’d you grow up?”

“Just a dinky little town. It’s nowhere special.”

He lowered to the bed on his side, his head propped in his hand. Something about that action and the quiet stillness of the room around us gave the moment a different feel from any other we’d spent together.

More private.

More real.

Which was odd. Sometimes I’d felt completely alone with him when we were surrounded by men at the shelter.

Or at least, I’d thought that’s how I’d felt. Maybe I’d never been alone with the real Gavin. The one who was watching me now.

He reached out and laid a hand on my right thigh. “You came from there, so yeah, it is special.” He paused as if he wanted to make sure I got his meaning.

I wasn’t sure I did.

“In Ohio, right?” he asked. He rubbed my thigh, his hand so warm I could feel it through my jeans. The only time he’d touched me even close to the same way had been about warming me up after I’d trudged through the snow to the warehouse from the park in a worse snowstorm nearly a year ago. That touching had been clinical. Or at least I’d tried to pretend it had so my heart wouldn’t be crushed when he rolled over to go to sleep.

I nodded, my next words catching in my throat. I swallowed and tried again. “Angola, Ohio. This time of year, every house and all the shops lining Main Street are decked out in Christmas lights. There are giant stars on the telephone poles and reindeer pulling a sleigh in the town square. Like someplace you’d see on a postcard.”

“Pretty?”

“I guess. More like it has this quiet, polite normalcy. But you have to look close to see the real place. I mean, the kinds of people who actually live there.” I pulled at a loose green thread on the bedspread beside me. The thread kept on unraveling. Maybe I could pull all those ugly weeds out and leave behind something plain but more beautiful. “The people—they’re not so pretty.”

His hand stopped moving. “Like your parents?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you ever tell them or your grandparents you were gay?”

I gave up on the weed whacking and crossed my arms over my chest. “Thought we were gonna catch a movie?”

“Right.” He removed his hand from my leg, and I immediately regretted my words as he returned to the end of the bed and reached for the remote. He pointed it at the TV but paused before clicking on the sound, his back to me. “You are, though, right?”

“What?”

“Gay.”

“Me?” I choked out a laugh. Was he serious?

Apparently so. He clutched the remote like it was a grenade, and if he let go, the room—and the two of us—would explode into a thousand pieces. I wasn’t sure he was even breathing.

“Oh, God yeah,” I said. “I’m gay. It’s why I left home.”

He sighed and eased up on the remote. He started changing channels again, stopping when he hit some action, one of those low-tech time-travel movies with the former governor from California.

Gavin kept the sound muted, and the time-traveling cyborg guy didn’t seem as threatening without the sounds of his guns going off. It’s amazing what silence will do to a moment.

“Gavin?”

Slowly, he looked back at me over his shoulder.

“Are you?” I asked.

His mouth turned up at the corners. “Yeah, I’m gay.”

(c) Sloan Parker, 2012. All Rights Reserved.

The full story is available at: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | iBooks | B&N | All Romance eBooks | KoboMLR Press

There’s also a free read featuring Sean and Gavin on my website: It Says Love.