WIP Death Scene...Nothing Like Fictional Therapy!

The blood had all but drained from his weak body. She knew he was dying, truly dying. She cradled his head on her lap, brushing dark hair away from his face; he was even beautiful in death. Her heart was broken; shattered into a million pieces. He had saved her life, but the cost had been great. His eyes fluttered open.

“Forgive me” he whispered. She could not. She would not lie to him as he had to her.

“You know I’ll love you for a thousand years.” She whispered back, and kissed his forehead.  

It was true. She would never stop loving him, long after he was but a memory; he would still be in her heart, all those broken shards that ripped at her insides, making it hard for her to breathe. But she would never forgive him. She never could.

Finding it too hard to say more, she remembered a time when he had been her salvation; a time when he had been her knight in shining armor. Not the tarnished shell of a man he had become, but the one who had held her heart, her happiness, in the palm of his hand. She had trusted him with everything. In the end, it was her life he had saved, not her heart.

He reached up with the last bit of strength left in his body and gently stroked her cheek before his hand dropped back to his side as she watched helpless, the rest of the blood draining from the grievous wounds. Sobs wracked her body. A sudden panic overcame her. How could she live without him?

 

“Please…don’t…leave…me…” She cried.

“No no no no no no…”

Clutching his head to her breast and rocking back and forth, she raised her face to the stars. Tears ran in rivers down her cheeks. She let out a wail that was torn from her soul.

She was unsure how much time had gone by before any coherent thought returned, breaking through the fog of her loss, but when it did, she knew it was not over. She would now have to hunt down and kill the other half of her heart. She had no choice. In the end, she would forgive neither man, but would love them both, even in death.

Plotting and Character Development

I spent the weekend working out a few major plot points to the story I’m working on. I’ll admit it was mostly about how to kill two major characters, which had me and a friend giggle incessantly (it was an evil girl thing, seeing as how they are both male characters). Now that I have a loose plot, I decided to work on character development.

I know it’s been AGES since I actually talked about WRITING, but I loved to use visual aides for my characters. I would search the internet to find a picture or pictures for each character I was developing. Guess who’s been using Google search for images? Oh yeah…that would be me!

So, I have my first character I’m developing all picked out. He’ll be my “comic relief” in a REALLY snarky way. Now, I must warn you, I’m pretty much writing this as therapy and have NO intention of thinking this will be some literary work of genius (it won’t be). But I do plan on having fun with it!

That being said let me introduce you to Algonquin, other-wise known as Quin. He’s a sparkly fairy person. He’s pretty damn pissed that he sparkles, too. I think that’s really what’s got a burr up his ass. He’s much wiser than any of he other characters, and I think he’s going to have some really cool super-powers (well, besides being all sparkly).

The best part about my characters is they are all going to be based on REAL people. That’s why Quin sparkles…his human counter-part HATES all things sparkly (i.e. Twilight vampires).

I think I’ll save developing my main male characters for later….although I certainly know EXACTLY who they’ll be based on...and they have really sexy accents....all THREE of them (and here you all thought I was just gonna say "two", didn't you?). 

Into the Darkness I Descend...PLEASE?

I have used my blog many times just to work out my own feelings. Sometimes they have been very happy times, but more times than not, they are confusing or sad times. It’s just what I do; my own forum to say whatever I want. I’m typing this knowing I may, or may not, ever publish this to my blog (obviously I did).

There are choices we make in life we never look back on. We never question. My life was like that until about 4 years ago. The last four years have been a constant battle, mind over heart, heart over mind. I spent so many years, closed off emotionally, that when I finally opened up, boy did I open up. To the point of stupid.

There are things that even my closest friends don’t know. Things I have never shared with anyone. Often, our emotions lead us down very dark roads. Roads so dark, we can no longer see the path we should choose. I like the dark, I crave the dark. The dark enfolds me and makes me feel alive. I cease to just exist and start living while fighting my way through the dark.

Only problem with the dark? Well, you can’t see your nose in front of you, much less anything else. So while feeling your way through the dark, (because, let’s face it, you can’t SEE, now can you?) how the heck do you know you’re making the right decisions? YOU DON’T! Scary part, fun part, exciting part, STUPID part.

So into the light I have walked. Such a harsh reality. I don’t care for it, if I’m at all honest. It’s hard to hide all the glaring truths in the light. You can now see not only your own ugly side, but those around you who have hidden so well in your self-imposed darkness. I think I shall wander back into the gloom for a bit. I’m not quite ready to bask in the bright sun….yet.

Why Scotland?

Anyone who knows me, knows I talk about Scotland, Scottish history and, of course, men in kilts. I was sitting here thinking about why I have such an obsession with all things Scottish. To be honest, I really can't say. I suppose my writing could be to blame partially, but I'm pretty sure my obsession with flash-backs on Highlander the series (the flash-backs in which Duncan was wearing a kilt and using that brogue), came way before I started writing seriously.























I'll start with my childhood. When I was three or four, my first dog was a Scottish Terrier named Sammy. Next comes the Irish Setter named Rusty. Of course, at the young age of five, I hardly had a say in dog breeds, nor did I have any concept of geography....but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Aside from the dog choices my parents made, I'm not sure my childhood contained any foreign influences until I turned about 12. I discovered a brown paper sack in my mom's closet. In it was a treasure. Book after book of historical romances a friend had given her. I would sneak them out and upstairs to read one at a time. Lords, Knights, Pirates and of course Highland Rogues. Looking back, probably wasn't the best way to form my outlook on relationships and romance, but it's a bit too late to undo that now!

So as my 40th year comes to an end, I have to ask myself this, "What makes me happy?" ROMANCE of course! I'm a hopeless romantic. There, I said it. Whew. It's like an alcoholic admitting they're a drunk. First step I suppose. 


Next step? I think it should be to find a Scottish man and just get it out of my system. Yeah, that's exactly what I think (although the spiced rum I'm drinking Christmas Eve may have something to do with my frame of mind).

So if you're single, Scottish, halfway intelligent, like American women (i.e. ME), by all means leave me a comment or better yet, email me. I'm also not opposed to referrals, so if you know someone, send me his info.

Happy holidays to you all!


I forgot to add that if Gerard Butler reads this, I am MOST definitely interested.

Blog Chain Blatherskite

I’ve often wondered how everyone else comes up with their blog chain topic. As for me, it usually falls into the category of what’s foremost on my mind. With that being said, here's the question:




Do you focus on one project at a time, or do you have many irons in the fire at any given moment?



When I was working on my first MS, it was my sole focus. I didn’t worry about query letters, or writing a synopsis, or plotting out any other work. I finished it at 95,000 words. I had big plans to work on the second book, and even have a folder with notes for it and a third also. All relating to the first MS. Then I started revisions. Being my first work, it wasn’t really revisions, but a complete rewrite of the first half. Saying it was bad is an understatement. It was awful, the writing that is.




I got very frustrated, and I had many people suggest I start on another project and go back to revisions after a break.

So I wrote a few short stories that I was lucky enough to get published. I plotted and started on several new works. I have never been back to visit my original MS. Not once. I have started referring to it as “my sock drawer book” (thanks Don). The only problem is this…I can’t seem to stick with one idea long enough to make any headway.





I guess the reason for the question is to get different perspectives. I do know a few of the chain gang are always multitasking. I’m trying to find my way back from too long off, and am looking for suggestions with this question that can help steer me in the right direction (rather selfish way to come up with a topic, huh?).






I’m the first in this go around, but be sure you visit Sandra ( http://ulbrichalmazan.blogspot.com/ ), who’s up next.

Blog Chain Blatherskite

Annie(http://anniewritesaboutwriting.blogspot.com/) chose this two part topic. Cole

(http://colegibsen.blogspot.com/) went right before me in the chain and Sandra (http://ulbrichalmazan.blogspot.com/ ) will be next.

I took off a few months from the blog chain, so I’d like to say welcome to our new writers. If your link is not to the left with the rest of the chain gang, please let me know and I will be happy to add your link. And away we go…..

Do you ever get inspired by a real-life event or news story and fear you're ripping off the story too much?

Yes and no. On more than one occasion, while doing historical research, I have run across some fabulous tid-bit, and just run with it. I’ve never worried about ripping off a story, as I always put my own spin on events, so much so, that they often don’t resemble the initial occurrence. I have also read quite a few authors that not only bring up an event, but will it will be a pivotal part of their plot.

Do you ever get inspired by a song or poem or line from a book and worry you're stealing that original person's idea?

I wouldn’t say that I’m inspired by a song as much as it sets the mood. I have an extensive library of music that I listen to while writing. I could give you a soundtrack to my first completed work, a historical romance. There is a different song for almost every scene. From what I’ve gathered, I’m far from alone in this writing quirk.

One of my favorite songs for writing is The Gael, which is the theme song to The Last of the Mohicans. I looked and looked for just the right video and low and behold…Scottish scenes! Now, if you listen to the song, there are so many emotions that it can evoke.

I would love to hear what everyone feels when they listen to this song. I think it will enforce previous posts about giving a group of ten a topic for a story, and all ten stories would end up being very different. No cheating though, just post what emotions you felt and then go back and read what others have said.

Interview with Nina Bangs about Eternal Craving

I was lucky enough to receive an advance reading copy of Eternal Cravings, the second in the Gods of the Night Series, by Nina Bangs, available April 28, 2009. The easiest way to sum up the book is Jurassic Park meets the X-Men and Underworld with a dash of Lord of the Rings thrown in.

As if getting an ARC of the book wasn’t good enough, Ms. Bangs agreed to answer a few questions about her latest book and the series for me.


Terri: “Eternal Cravings is the second in your Eleven Gods of the Night series. What inspired the use of the Mayan calendar ending December 21, 2012 as a catalyst for your series?”

Ms. Bangs: “People have always seemed to find doomsday predictions fascinating; hence the world’s continuing interest in Nostradamus and others like him. After noticing the growing number of people discussing the end of the Mayan long count calendar in 2012 and its apocalyptic implications, I decided it would be a perfect “ticking clock” for my series. During my research, I found other aspects of the Mayan civilization that I could use. The Mayans were masters of numbers, so I created a mysterious leader, Fin, whose existence revolves around numbers. He even calls the immortal villains by numbers rather than traditional names. And since the Mayans gave special significance to the number zero, I named the leader of the immortal bad guys Zero. Aspects of the plots will also revolve around Mayan creation gods. All in all, the Mayans contributed a great deal to the series.


Terri: “It seemed to me that in Eternal Craving, some of the dialogue was a bit "amped up" compared to your past work. It made me wonder if you had been censored by editors, publishers, or even yourself in the past?”

Ms. Bangs: “I intentionally put a lot more dark intensity into Eternal Pleasure and Eternal Craving. I wanted a raw and edgy feel to the series, so I decided the tone warranted moments of almost savage emotion. On the other hand, I always had to remember that my lighter romances were meant to be humorous, so I couldn’t include some of the dark elements that would distract from the feel of the books. I have to admit that I’m really enjoying cutting loose in the darker books. And it’s nice to take a break from always focusing on being funny.


Terri: “ Will you be doing a book tour to promote Eternal Craving, and if so, will there be dates and locations listed on your site http://www.ninabangs.com ?”

Ms. Bangs: “Unfortunately, I won’t be doing a book tour. I can barely meet my deadlines now, so I have to stay focused. That means no play time. Which is a shame, because I love to meet readers. I will be signing at the Romance Writers of America Conference this year, though. So if you’re in the Washington, DC area, please stop by to say hi.”

I want to thank Ms. Bangs for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer my questions.

Now on to the book itself…if you like powerful immortals, vampires, werewolves and testosterone driven men with endearing character flaws, you’ve got to check out Eternal Pleasure (http://terrirainer.blogspot.com/2008/07/nina-bangs-does-it-again.html) and Eternal Craving. The complexity of her characters and the research that went into this book is immediately apparent.

I am always amazed by Nina Bangs and her ability to weave a story around characters and circumstances so well, that you completely suspend disbelief and can’t put her books down.

Eternal Craving was no different. She has definitely stepped up not only her conflict and action, but the sexual heat that emanates from her male characters is YUMMY!

Dangerous and flawed men have always been on the menu with a good romance, but Ms. Bangs’ unique spin on the men in this series leaves me shaking my head in wonder and awe. Caveman mentality doesn’t even scratch the surface of what her male characters have to overcome; prehistoric dinosaur mentality is more accurate.

I would highly recommend Eternal Craving, not just for those who like romance, but paranormal too. I also think this is not your “momma’s romance”. I could easily see men enjoying this just as much as any woman.

Eternal Craving can be preordered through:

Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Eternal-Craving-Leisure-Paranormal-Romance/dp/084395793X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239644672&sr=1-1 )

Barnes & Noble (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Eternal-Craving/Nina-Bangs/e/9780843957938/?itm=1 )

Borders (http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=084395793X )