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Monday, June 30, 2014

Connie Vines Was Just Wondering, "Do Fictional Characters Pick-up the Habits of the Writer?"


From Inside Books We Love Blog, posted Saturday,  June 28, 2014


Years ago I located an article about Margaret Mitchell, the author of Gone with the Wind.  Apparently, there was a great deal of press about how she hid sections of her novel beneath couch cushions, this was her very first novel etc. All of these statements may have a ring of truth but Margaret Mitchell was a journalist. 

Whether you agree or disagree with the premise of the Pulitzer Prize winning book or the screenplay or the resulting Academy Award Winning Picture, you cannot argue the fact she created exceptionally real characters.   It has been nearly 80 years since the book was published and nearly everyone in the U.S. (and who knows how many other countries) recall ‘something’ about Scarlett and Rhett.

Interviews tell us that MM would sit in front of a mirror and watch how her earrings (earbobs) moved to help in her descriptions.  She said she had every detail in her mind before she sat down at the typewriter. She also had relatives who lived during the era of the Civil War.

In MM’s case this may have been true. Her character may have been pieces of herself and her life.
However, in my case, I’m not so sure this is the case. 

Yes, my heroines and I may have many of the same interests.  Rachel Scott, my heroine in Lynx, Rodeo Romance Book 1, has many of my physical attributes at her age.   Amberlynn Maddox, my heroine in Brede, Rodeo Romance Book 2,is knowledgeable about Native American works of art. 

(These are WIP that I plan to pitch to my wonderful publisher: Books We Love.  Surprise!)

However, in one of my current WIP, Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow, I seem to be picking up Meredith, my heroine’s habits.  I am beginning to wear disposable latex gloves when I wash my hair (why, I don’t know).  I keep a food diary online and I carry on conversations with Siri (which is very difficult to do).  And, lastly (I hope), I keep purchasing hand lotion.  Do I need all this hand lotion?  No I have a place to store extra hand lotion (besides my desk at my day gig)? No.  Will I keep purchasing hand lotion?  I hope not.

Now on to my anthology, Gumbo Ya Ya—for women who like romance Cajun & Men HOT & SPICY.  Five stores in one book.  Doesn’t this mean 5 times the crazy habits for me?  It would seem so.  Beignets and cafĂ© au lait, should I be having these type of dreams?  Perfume, I’m obsessed with perfume and I’m worried about gators.  Seriously?  I live in SoCal.  I really don’t think the L.A. river is going to become infested with gators in the next, say . . .million years or so. Then there’s the heroine who works in day time TV.  Well, I do have the beginnings of a three-act play on my hard drive.

Anything else?  Time Travel to the 16th century and werewolves (contemporary)--so far, nothing to report on those two topics. Which is good news to me.

Now, Rand Rodeo Romance Book 3, oh, boy—do I have stories to tell!

Thank you for stopping by to read my guest post to the Books We Love Blog.
Happy Reading,
Connie Vines

(Go to: About.me/ConnieVines ornovelsbyconnievines.com for more info)




Friday, June 27, 2014

Fireworks! Round Robin, June 2014

Round Robin June, 2014Fireworks!

I’ve been asked to feature one of the most explosive scenes from one of my novels.I have chosen a scene from Lynx, Rodeo Romance Book 1.This scene takes place in “The Last Chance” Honky Tonk in Running Springs, Montana.


“Rachel, honey,” why’s that man staring at you?” Charlene asked, glancing to the right of her friend.

“You’re imagining things.”

“No I’m not. He keeps watching you. . .oh, no here he comes—“

“Charlene, you’re scaring me.” Rachel twisted her chair to get a look at the man. He was stocky and looked to be in his early thirties. He also looked vaguely familiar.

Before she could act, the man lunged against her, catching her off guard. He grabbed her wrist. “Wanna dance?”

She jerked her hand free. “No, I don’t. I think it would be best if you went back to your table.” She was concerned but she wasn’t frightened, yet. She glared at him for several counts, her heart pounding. If she kept her head he’d leave her alone. If he didn’t, she’d scream the roof down!

“I’ll buy you another drink. . .”

“No!” Rachel shot back.

“Justin, leave the lady alone.” Lynx’s voice was a low growl right behind her.

“The lady asked me to buy her a drink,” the drunk whined.

“I did not!”

“Rachel,” Lynx ordered quietly. “I’ll handle this.”

She felt her spine snap to attention. She’d never responded well to orders, no matter how well intended.
The drunk stumbled, landing on top of Rachel. She let out a squeal of surprise as glasses and mugs of beer careened off the table and onto the floor. “Get off of me!” she screamed, shoving at his shoulders.

Before she could act, Lynx stepped forward, yanking the man off of Rachel. “Justin, didn’t your mother ever teach you any manners?” Lynx asked.

Justin said something foul under his breath, and Rachel saw Lynx’s expression change.
In swift, economical movements, Lynx spun the man around and grabbed him by the collar. One hard blow from his fist catapulted the man backwards. He crashed into a table and several wooden chairs. The sound of splintering wood filled the room, and suddenly Rachel found herself the unwelcome center of attention.

¬ My reaction to writing this: I’m not a violent person (I have nightmare after watching Meer Kat Manor). So even though my scene had a brawl, there is humor as the scene develops.  After I realized no one would be seriously injured (One never knows what the characters plan to do), I began to have fun with the experience.

¬ Background information: Well, since I’ve never participated in a barroom brawl, I had to conduct interviews. (Of course, I was not inclined to witness/ or instigate the event myself J).  Sherman (the husband of my dear friend) was an officer in the Army Air Force during WWII and had witnessed (I didn’t question his statement) many a fight in his day.  He provided me with how one positions a man to receive a punch.  The crashing, falling, and general mayhem I figured out from watching a couple of western movies and recalled the information I’d gleaned from a “Hollywood Stunt Man Workshop” I’d facilitated for Larry Sellers when he co-starred on Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman.

I hope you enjoyed my Round Robin Post for this month.  Remember to stop by at my friend Ginger Simpson’s blog next and see what exciting story she has to tell!

Remember to stop by website (it’s been revamped!) And I’m also spotlighted on with an author interview at:
Happy Reading,

Connie


Ginger Simpson at http://mizging.blogspot.com
All participants in this month’s Round Robin Blog:
Margaret Fieland at http://margaretfieland.com/my_blog
Heidi M. http://heidiwriter.wordpress.com
Beverley Bateman at http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Kay Sisk  http://kaysisk.blogspot.com
Anne Stenhouse at http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com
Connie Vines at http://connievines.blogspot.com/
Ginger Simpson at http://mizging.blogspot.com
Geeta Kakade at http://geetakakade.blogspot.com/
Fiona McGier at http://www.fionamcgier.com
Lynn Crain at http://lynncrain.blogspot.co.at/
Rhobin Courtright at http://rhobinleecourtright.com
Margaret Fieland at