Sometimes Minor Edits Lead You On

Posted on January 28, 2012 by SloanParker

I’m on my third pass working on Walter and Kevin’s story, and I had a series of great writing sessions this week. Today I worked on a chapter and a half that needed a few changes, including adding some dialogue and reactions. I ended up rewriting almost all of it. I was in some sort of zone where the dialogue and character interactions just flowed and worked better within the overall story arc. The more I rewrote, the more I knew what I had previously written wasn’t working. When I was done, it felt good to know it was the right call to rewrite those scenes.

Even though decisions like these affect the overall amount of time it takes to complete a project, this type of revising just seems to work for me. The more time I spend with the characters and their story, the clearer the overall picture becomes. Sometimes I can’t see the forest with all those damn trees in the way.

It took about five hours to get that chapter and a half rewritten. I sat in my comfy chair in my office while I wrote. These two little guys came in to keep me company.

Hope you all have a great weekend. I’m hoping to get in another 5 hours or more of writing on Sunday.

Yes, I’m a dork with my writing. And here’s why…

Posted on October 19, 2011 by SloanParker

I was writing the other day and got stuck with how to describe a fight scene. I needed some strong sensory descriptions. But how do you describe a fist slamming against someone’s body? I started lightly punching my fist into my hand, just pondering the fight scene, thinking about what it would sound like and feel like, really getting into the moment with my characters.

But I was punching my hand. That’s not right. So I proceeded to move my punches (albeit they were light punches) up my arm. Several slaps of fist to skin, I realized what I was doing. Yep, I was punching myself for my art.

I imagined someone seeing bruises all along my arms and asking, “How did you get these?”

“Writing.”

Duh. How else?

You Never Know What You’ll Hear at a Writers’ Brainstorming Retreat

Posted on October 7, 2011 by SloanParker

Two weeks ago I attended a brainstorming event with some of the writers in my local writing group. It was my third year attending this annual event, and I had such a fabulous time. Not only is it productive in generating story ideas, it’s also a time to recharge my writing energy. Just hanging with these fabulous women (and our lone, brave man who slept in a lake cottage with 12 women) gets me excited about writing. These people have amazing energy and talent. I’m always in awe of their creativity.

We spent the weekend talking about each other’s stories and coming up with titles, plot ideas, ways to kill off characters (don’t worry, that wasn’t mine), and more. We have writers of all genres and heat levels in the group. From contemporary to sci-fi. From sweet inspiration to steamy erotic romance and erotica. Most write romance, but some don’t.

So what kinds of things did I hear that weekend? Here’s a sampling:

“He’s a schizophrenic vampire priest!”

“Die, bitch, die!” (which worked for several of the stories)

“Orgasmoplasm“

“Hooha goo”

“Viagraville”

“Regrow the cherry!”

“Everybody use frickidous in a sentence.” Our 18-year-old, youngest member immediately told us all to, “Go frickidous yourselves.”

“bilabial frickidousness and glaodal stoppages”

And perhaps my favorite…“We need to make his junk grow!”

So yeah, it was a blast. Thanks ladies and Ray! I had a wonderful time.

Top Ten Things I Learned Writing My Latest Gay Romance

Posted on July 29, 2011 by SloanParker

Here’s what I’ve learned writing TAKE ME HOME (tentatively due out December 2011):

Characters do not always listen to my outline.
The book isn’t done until it’s done. I added some really great stuff in the last week.
Reading a manuscript while walking around the house is dangerous. For my cats. Sorry, little dudes!
In order to really put myself into a scene it’s possible to simulate being freezing cold in a blizzard during 100 degree days using just the power of my mind. And a fan.
Writing a scene set during any other time than the past decade requires a lot of research. Even when it’s a simple journal entry from 1953.
In the process of editing I read faster during the action scenes and forget to actually edit. “Uh, this is YOUR book, Sloan. Pay attention.”
Making my poor characters wait to get off is kinda fun. It makes the sex scene more explosive to write.
I should not have two books “in process” with characters names that start with the same initial. In this case…Kyle and Kevin. I had to tell Kevin to get back to his own damn book way too many times. “Dude, get off Evan and go find Walter!”
I really love the male body and can describe a blowjob for way too many paragraphs (okay, pages) than necessary. More than anyone would want to stick around to read.And the last thing I learned writing my latest m/m romance:
It’s helpful to take a character’s clothes off BEFORE attempting anal sex.

For the Love of: Reader Emails

Posted on June 6, 2011 by SloanParker

I only have a minute to post today, and I know I’ve posted on this topic before, but I wanted to give a shout of thanks out to everyone who has taken the time to write and let a romance author know when you’ve enjoyed one of their stories. Please know, authors really do appreciate the effort.

I’ve received some amazing emails lately, and no matter how often it happens, there is nothing sweeter and more rewarding than knowing when one of my stories was an enjoyable experience for someone. And even better is knowing that story touched the reader in a meaningful way. Your words of appreciation and encouragement mean more than I can say.

Thank you!
Sloan