Opposite attractions

I've been thinking about trade-offs again today, and I realized how many things I enjoy in pairs of opposites.

I love sunshine...and I love hiding from it in cool shade. I love the fresh feel of a chilly day...and I love wrapping my hands around a warm mug and sipping the steamy liquid inside. I love lingering summer evenings...and I love the shortening days of late autumn.

Cold ice cream...smothered in hot fudge. A cool pool...on a warm day. Salty fries...dipped in sweet-and-sour ketchup. Traveling to faraway spots...and arriving back home.

The combination of opposites makes for compelling tension in a romance novel, too. I've often heard this advice: If the hero is a firefighter, the heroine had better be an arsonist. As I'm beginning a story, one of the questions I ask myself is: who is the worst person for this hero to deal with? For this heroine?

What are some of your favorite opposites?

Wintry days

It snowed here Sunday afternoon. Big deal, hmm? Well, it is a big deal in a place where it rarely snows. We don't own a snow shovel, and I'm sure none of our neighbors does, either.

The weather here on the northern California coast is fairly predictable and nearly seasonless. Winters are dreary and wet. Summers are less dreary and wet. On the other hand, we don't spend a lot of time shoveling our drives or scraping ice from our windshields.

Other trade-offs: No hurricanes or tornadoes, but we do get the occasional flooded river. And earthquakes--lots of them. I suppose visitors may feel uneasy when they pass signs indicating tsunami evacuation routes.

Most people deal with some kind of weather extreme or the threat of a natural catastrophe. It seems no matter where we live, there are trade-offs. What's yours?

Countdown to V-Day

I enjoy seeing all the hearts and flowers in the stores at this time of year. Though I rarely need a reminder--or an excuse--to kiss my sweetheart or tell him how much I love him, it's fun to see the frilly, silly cards and decorations.

With Valentine's Day in mind, I've made arrangements to speak at my local library again this February. I figure that date gives people a reminder about the romance genre, and perhaps I may provide one or two of the attendees with an excuse to pick up a book that celebrates a loving commitment.

I'd like to share some Valentine's Day cheer with one of my readers, too. Comment here on my blog sometime before Wednesday, February 6, and I'll put your name in a drawing for a dozen heart-shaped, frosted shortbread cookies.

It's a puzzle

I spent the past several days judging first-round entries for a writing contest. I cringed at some of the phrasing I read, remembering how awkward my first efforts at fiction had been. And I wondered, as I wrote my comments in the margins of manuscript pages, how I've managed to learn so much since those early attempts. When did the last few pieces of my personal writing puzzle fall into place so that my work was ready for publication?

There are so many pieces to the writing puzzle it's a miracle any of us succeeds. When I stop to consider how many layers of education and expression and ability go into each page--grammar, spelling, word choice, sentence construction, point of view, sensory details, action, characterization, dialogue, conflict, goals and motivations--it all dazzles me, every time I pick up a book and begin to sink into someone else's story. Or makes my stomach ache, wondering how I'll be able to pull off the same trick the next time I try.

I learned by reading, and I learned by writing. I learned from contest judges who spotlighted my awkward phrasing and urged me to improve. I picked up story structure tips in workshops, and I developed a very critical internal editor. One by one, the puzzle pieces fell into place, and my manuscripts began to more closely resemble the pictures in my head.

Each story is a puzzle, though some of them are easier to assemble than others.

What are some of the puzzles in your life? What special thing can you do now that you once thought you'd never be able to manage?

Add one cat

I've been working on story ideas today, which means I open my mind and wait for something to drop in. I don't know why certain images show up or why others stick to the page, but it's always a relief--and kind of exciting--when some of these odd thoughts begin to suggest bits of scenes or scraps of dialogue.

One idea has emerged in the shape of a cat. Will it be a stray? Will it be a kitten or a battle-scarred tom? Will it play an important part in the story? I'm not sure. But I think I'll keep a cat in the mix and see what develops.

If this doesn't sound like a logical, step-by-step method for creating a novel, I'm sorry to disappoint you. I don't work that way. Chasing after notions and drifting down side streets gets me where I'm going...eventually.

Do you own a cat? Have you ever adopted a stray? Have you raised a loving pet from kittenhood? Do you have a favorite cat story?

Signs of spring

It was bitterly cold across much of the country today, but in my part of the world the sun was shining and the air warmed with a teasing hint of spring. Okay, probably not spring, exactly--more likely our traditional mid-January thaw--but I did see daffodils for sale in the grocery store.

Tomorrow I'll be searching my yard for the tender green blades that tell me my own daffodils are on their way. I'll be counting the bud spots on my lilac bushes and checking the trees for new growth. Yes, it's early, but anticipation is half the fun.

What are you anticipating this spring? This summer? Do you have something special you're planning for later this year--when the weather's warmer and the days are longer?

Window shopping

One of the things I love best about Sundays is a long, relaxed drive. I'm fortunate to have a lot of scenic choices nearby: waves breaking against the rocky Pacific shore, quaint cities along Humboldt Bay, views from the Coast Range, giant redwoods lining the trails of state parks. Today I enjoyed a special treat: a trip through the streets of Ferndale, a small town a few miles from our home.

We had a purpose for our drive beyond conversation and pleasant scenery. We're considering making some changes to our house, and since ours was designed to resemble a Victorian-era farmhouse, we did some window shopping during our drive. Real window shopping: sill and trim styles, bays and transoms.

There's something about Victorian-era houses I find appealing. Whether it's the histories behind the buildings or the sheer whimsy of the designs, they always make me smile. I long to step onto their porches, climb their narrow stairs, explore their nooks and niches. I like to step into their parlors and watch the sunlight brighten the stained glass.

Do you like Victorian-era architecture? Do you have another favorite--Cape Cod colonials, Craftsman-era bungalows, Mission-style adobes? If you could, would you live in a house with a history? Or do you prefer more contemporary designs?

Technology to go

I know I show my age when I rhapsodize about things like ATMs and DVD players and microwave ovens. But I can't help it. My everyday life is filled with minor miracles of convenience, and I don't often take them for granted.

I remember the first time I rented a movie--and the VCR player for watching it--and took it home with me. Imagine: a private screening of a film, without commercials, in my own living room. And the selection was astonishing--there must have been nearly one hundred movies in that shop! I could hardly wait to go back and rent another. Recently, when I visited my daughter, she asked if I'd like to watch a movie, and with a few clicks of her television remote, she arranged for a film at my leisure--even more convenient.

Need some money, fast? Head for a drive-thru cash machine. Need some gas after hours? Swipe a credit card and help yourself. Want a dinner in a matter of minutes? Choose from hundreds of entrees, pop it in a microwave, and press a few buttons. Some aspects of life are such a breeze.

When I was in college, I was fortunate to own a portable electric typewriter with a built-in correction ribbon. Thank goodness I don't have to fuss with that anymore! I sometimes wonder if I could write one of my books on that old typewriter or if my computer and word-processing software have made me soft. Maybe I'd never have become a writer without the ease of my modern conveniences.

Do you love technological conveniences as much as I do? What's your favorite?

A perfect cover model

Today I received an e-mail from Tina Catanzaro, who provided some fun information about A Perfect Stranger. She's married to the man who's on the cover.

Meet Anthony Catanzaro, the handsome fellow who happens to make a perfect Nick Martelli. Tony has appeared on the covers of several romance novels, although he's seldom wearing as many clothes on the others as he is on mine. But I don't mind the white shirt. It leaves a lot to the imagination, and I think romance readers have very good imaginations.

I have to admit, I never gave much thought to cover models when I started writing. Now I'm going to wonder about the people--and the stories--behind the covers of all my books. What fun!

Thank you, Tina, for your note.

Celebrate Romance in 2008

One of the best things I did in 2007 was attend Celebrate Romance in Kansas City. And one of my regrets for 2008 is that I won't be able to attend Celebrate Romance again this year.

If there's any chance you can get to the Celebrate Romance conference (February 29-March 2), do yourself a favor and go. It's a weekend for lovers of the romance genre, focused on readers and attended by authors, filled with fun activities and packed with opportunities to share all the enthusiasm the attendees have for their favorite love stories.

This year's conference will be held in Columbia, South Carolina, at the gorgeous Inn at USC. A book trade and booksigning are planned, as are several presentations on a variety of interesting subjects. Oh, I wish I could go!

Celebrate Romance Web site

Leanne Davis, Chairperson of the Celebrate Romance committee

Creatures of habit

I spent part of this morning with my granddaughter, as I do one morning most weeks. And every week it's the same routine: pet the china dogs, walk on the treadmill, play with the electric toothbrush, watch the dancing bird on youtube.com, read the Big Red Barn book. There are other activities--enough to fill a couple of hours--but most of our time together moves in a kind of ritual.

We humans are an interesting mix of conflicting desires, aren't we? Most of us find some degree of comfort in our individual routines, and yet we also enjoy breaks and vacations and surprises.

I've never been a nine-to-five type, but I find myself compensating for the relative chaos of my life by carefully arranging small parts of it. When I'm traveling, for instance, I store my belongings in hotel rooms in similar patterns. And though each of my work days is different than the one before, most of them follow a certain rhythm.

Are you a creature of habit? What rituals bring you comfort? How do you like to break through your routine?

Cooking up a story

Each story has its own germination, its own moment of inspiration or initial design. In some cases, I've been gifted with a surprising daydream that spins out, gathering form and structure. In others, I've done a bit of brainstorming to craft a tale for characters who appear in books I've already written. For my current project, a personal experience and a couple of daydreams suggested scenes that would work within one story idea.

Years ago, on the same educational tour that serves as the backdrop of A Perfect Stranger, our British tour guide gave me one of those European-style kisses--you know, the ones on both cheeks. I wasn't expecting it, I didn't know what to make of it, and it made quite an impact on me.

Recently I thought about that kiss again. What if an American woman received one of those kisses, and didn't know what to make of it, and moved in the wrong direction at the wrong time, and came within lip-locking distance of a British gentleman who was attracted to her but not quite sure how to make his first move? There's proximity, there's a breath-catching hesitation, there's a pulse-skipping awkwardness, there's opportunity...there's the kernel of a story. Maybe.

I've been doing some daydreaming and brainstorming during the past few weeks. Who is she? Who is he? How do they meet, and how do they arrive at that first kiss? What problems and emotions do they bring to that scene? I've answered many of those questions on an entry-level basis, and I've even typed up a few sketchy scenes. I may not start with Chapter One--sometimes I need to stumble around a bit first and get to know these people better--but I'm hearing snatches of dialogue and catching glimpses of shadowy rooms and indistinct faces.

There's a story cooking here. Time to stir the pot and see what happens next.

How do you get started on projects? Are you the type who likes to do some planning first, or do you prefer to dive right in?

New year, new book--how I get started

Head on over to the Wet Noodle Posse blog today and catch my post on "shifting priorities" to get a writing project going. It may not be the best advice around, but it's honest.

I've decided this may be the Year of Being Fashionably Late (like the Year of the Rat, without the gnawing guilt). I'm already so far behind on so many things I'm not sure I can ever catch up.

How are you doing so far this year? Keeping pace with your expectations or falling behind?

Too many choices

Linda's comment (Jan. 2) made me think about that odd paralysis that can occur when confronted by an overwhelming array of choices. We all want choices, right? I know I do. And I usually don't have any trouble making a selection or a decision. As my husband could tell you, I usually know exactly what I want, in great detail.

But sometimes--on rare occasions--I have trouble making up my mind. And I wonder, at those times, what life would be like if I could have anything I wanted, whenever I wanted it. Would I find the constant flow of options stressful? Would I quickly set some limits to save time--and my sanity? Would routine become a refuge?

When I was planning for my wedding, I knew I could have any dress I could make (and I'm a very good seamstress). I pored through pattern magazines and haunted fabric shops, looking for the perfect neckline, the perfect sleeve, the perfect lace, the perfect satin. The project ceased to be a joy and instead became a burden. I could have anything I wanted...but what did I want?

My mother solved my problem by telling me about the wedding dress she'd wanted for herself, one she'd seen in a shop window: a sweet, summery dress of eyelet. But my practical grandmother resized my aunt's bridal gown, and that's the one my mother wore. After hearing my mother's story, I finally knew exactly what I wanted: something sweet and summery. And since I was to be a June bride, eyelet seemed the perfect choice.

Have you ever been confused by having too many choices? How did you solve your problem?

A year-long giveaway

Ahh, fresh starts. Blank slates. New beginnings. Possibilities--I love 'em.

Opening a new file and typing the words "Chapter One" is such a thrill. Sure, I'll have to write several hundred pages more before I enjoy the satisfaction of typing "The End," but those pages will be filled with possibilities. I may know how the story must end, but I have no idea what will happen along the way.

Doesn't that sound exciting?

I'm sharing another fresh start, another new project with my fellow members of the Wet Noodle Posse. We'll be sharing some of our writing tips throughout 2008. Check out our Jan. 2 list of monthly topics--lots of possibilities there.

What possibilities are you contemplating for 2008?