When an author acts out the scenes (without really meaning to)

Posted on July 30, 2014 by SloanParker

Right now I’m putting the final polish on MORE THAN MOST. (I’m so thrilled with how it’s turned out and I can’t wait to share it!) At this point in the process, I usually spend my days walking around the house reading the manuscript aloud. I look for anything that stands out: repetitive or missing words, odd phrasing in dialogue, continuity issues, moments when an emotional reaction would up the intensity of the scene, that kind of thing.

I’m also at the point where I know the story so well that I sometimes start “acting out” certain parts. Every time I read the same scene over and over, I make hand gestures and facial expressions when the characters do. I lick my lips when they do. I move when and how they do. (And let me just say, I’m so glad no one has a camera anywhere near me during this phase of the writing process.)

So I thought it might be fun to share some of the specific moments from my books where I caught myself really stepping into the role of the characters.

So in no particular order, here are my more embarrassing moments as a writer:

I squeezed my eye shut imitating Walter when Kevin punched him, and then dabbed at the “tender” skin below my eye. (HOW TO SAVE A LIFE)
I banged my fist on my desk when Luke did the same on a diner table after talking with his father. (MORE)
I limped around the house like Richard after he’d twisted his ankle. (MORE THAN MOST)
I went to scoop up little Jessica and carry her through the house like Lincoln did when Nancy’s place was on fire. (BREATHE)
I shoved open the (non-existent) bathroom stall door and stormed across the room when Lincoln found out who the man was that he’d kissed. (BREATHE)
I squinted as the wind whipped around Evan when he was trapped in the blizzard, even though I was writing that book in the middle of summer. (TAKE ME HOME)
I raised my arm to shuffle Mateo into his apartment just as Grady did when he finally located him. (I SWEAR TO YOU)
I picked up the pace when Mark raced after Scott when Scott freaked out and ran out of Mark’s apartment after they’d tried to spend their first night together. (MORE THAN JUST A GOOD BOOK)
I puffed out my cheeks when Sean stuffed his mouth with two dinner rolls when he’d first met Gavin. (SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN)

And perhaps the MOST embarrassing:

I reached for my dick (of which I do not have) when Walter told Kevin to touch himself. And I did it again every single time I read that scene. (HOW TO SAVE A LIFE)

Now that’s dedication, right? Or a really, REALLY nutty writer, I’m not sure which.

I’ll just say I’m very passionate about my work and leave it at that.

I SWEAR TO YOU Release Party: Mateo and Grady’s Song & More Behind-the-Story Info

Posted on May 2, 2014 by SloanParker

Today’s winner of the I SWEAR TO YOU Release Party Giveaway is: Christie M. Congratulations!

BEHIND THE BOOK: THE PREMISE

Over at the Loose Id blog, I’m sharing about coming up with the basic premise for I SWEAR TO YOU.

GRADY AND MATEO’S SONG

I don’t have a full playlist for this story, but here is the best song I came across for Grady and Mateo. Some of these lyrics are just about perfect for them.

If you don’t see the embedded video above, you can watch it here: “Arms” by Christina Perri on YouTube

Remember, if you haven’t done so yet, enter my release party giveaway for a chance at one of this week’s giveaways of a $10 e-gift card to All Romance eBooks. If you’ve already entered, you’ll be included in all of this week’s giveaways until you win a prize or the party ends. You only need to enter once. Good luck!

I SWEAR TO YOU Release Party: Behind-the-Story Tidbits

Posted on April 30, 2014 by SloanParker

Today’s winner of the I SWEAR TO YOU Release Party Giveaway is:
Kelsey O. Congratulations!

I SWEAR TO YOU is now available at Amazon!

Here are some behind-the-story tidbits from my writing of Grady and Mateo’s story:

In the original premise I pitched to my publisher, Mateo and Grady’s roles were reversed. As the story unfolded, it became clear Mateo should be the one who had no one in his life after he thought he’d lost Grady, and Grady should be the more reluctant one when it came to the two of them first being together.
In an early draft, the first kiss between Mateo and Grady happened at a frat party in a bedroom upstairs. I wanted them to stop thinking and give into everything they were feeling, ultimately having sex in that bedroom at the frat house. But as I started working on that scene, I decided I wanted them to be at the lake and to not go “all the way.” That one decision was the moment everything started to fall in place for this story.
Much of this story’s first draft was written by hand in restaurants and a local coffee shop.
I Swear to You was probably one of the most linear stories I’ve ever written, meaning I started at the beginning and basically worked my way toward the end. I did have outline notes for some of the later chapters, but I wasn’t quite sure what the final scene would look like until I got farther into the story. Usually I know how each story ends very early on in the process, sometimes going so far as to write the ending before 3/4 of the book is drafted.
I had several ideas in mind for what Mateo had witnessed in his past, and until I wrote the scene in the bathroom where he tells Grady the truth, I wasn’t certain which version I was going to use.

10 Reasons Why I LOVE this Writing Gig

Posted on December 18, 2013 by SloanParker

1. I find little sticky notes around the house that say things like “don’t forget the Superman underwear” and “move the BJ to the next chapter” and “are there too many blowjobs in the first half?”

2. I get to giggle at typos like “ass checks” and “coch rings” and “me nipples” and “he stopped the teasing of my dicks.” I mean, how many dicks does one man have?

3. When I’m really into a sex scene or romantic moment between my heroes, I get totally lost in the moment and forget every worry in my life or every horrible problem in the world, and the world shrinks to that one moment in time when everything’s beautiful and right.

4. I can stare out the window at the leaves blowing in the wind, at the swans peacefully gliding over the water, at the white snow falling down, and I’m still working. Because sometimes I have to stop typing and just daydream, or how else will I ever know what happens next?

5. Looking at my website stats gives me a good laugh when I see what keywords people have typed in to find my site. Stuff like “wild roommate scenarios” and “tumblr gay desert sex in cowboy boots” and “videos of a gay man ramming his pointy shoe up a man’s asshole.”

6. I get to spend my days with people who I love being around. (Okay, so they’re fictional people. I still really like hanging with them).

7. I can’t think of any other job where you can tell your boss, “I’m stuck on a problem and I gotta go for a walk so I can figure out how to get my character’s head out of his ass.”

8. I can write with a cat on my lap. They sorta frowned at that at my old job.

9. When a book is done, I can think back at that blank document it started out as (no story, no characters, no dialogue, nothing), then compare that to the final manuscript and feel really damn proud of the world I’ve created, with all the complexities and nuances that make it unique from any other story that’s been written before.

And my favorite…

10. Hearing from readers who were so drawn to the characters, so moved by the story I wrote, that they decided to take time out of their own busy lives to send me a note of thanks.

So thank you to every reader who’s contacted me, who’s tried one of my stories and liked them enough to keep on reading my work, who’s helped me make a go of this writing thing. All through my childhood I made up stories that were just for me–and my imaginary friend. You have no idea what it means to me that I get to share the characters and stories in my head with others. Thank you!

The Mind of a Writer

Posted on August 14, 2013 by SloanParker

While taking my daily walks this past week, I noticed two swans had moved into my neighborhood. They do everything together. Fly, bathe, swim, groom. Admittedly I know next to nothing about the life of swans. (Although I do believe they can form life-long monogamous pair bonds and are fiercely protective of their nests. My hon was even chased by one as a kid.)

As I watched these swans, I found myself asking question after question.

Will they stay here? Or is this a stopover for them? How long have they been together? What will happen if one of them passes away?

I’m walking and thinking. My mind pondering the past and future of these swans.

More walking, more thinking.

Of course, like I’ve always done since I was a kid, if I don’t know something, I make up my own story for it.

Now these swans each have a tragic backstory that led them to the moment they met. I know how long they’ve been together and that one is older than the other. I know how many obstacles they had to overcome to get to this peaceful, contented place they now live.

Then I stopped, stared at the swans, and laughed at myself. I could’ve been pondering and plotting my next book. But noooo… I’m dreaming up stories for two swans. Swans!

Thus goes the mind of a writer, a daydreamer.