Refilling the Well

For the past month, I’ve written little other than blogs. Oh, a sentence here, a paragraph there. I have three works-in-progress, yet I can’t seem to stay focused on any of them. One came back from my freelance editor with strong suggestions for change. I set it aside because of family events. (I promised not to mention the happy event at the beginning of August again.)

I have been reading more. Not procrastinating, though. In reading other works, I’m filling up my imagination. (That’s my story and I’m sticking with it.) I read to see how other authors create their characters, develop those characters; how they describe the character’s surroundings; how they show emotions. Unfortunately, I’ll start examining structure then get so caught up in the story that I forget to pay attention to plot development or anything else. It’s better for me to reread a favorite book. I’m also trying to examine why a book doesn’t appeal to me so I can avoid that.

It’s the same with movies. I love movies. No surprise there. LOL Or television shows. What makes me return after the pilot episode and what turns me off? Sometimes it’s hard to tell. The premise may be intriguing, but if I don’t like the main character I won’t continue to watch. He can be irascible yet give him a hint of vulnerability and I’ll give the show another chance. One recent show I haven’t decided on yet is Legend. I’m not fond of the roles Sean Bean has portrayed—the first I recall was Patriot Games. He was a convincing villain. The same in Golden Eye and National Treasure. So it’s hard to envision him as the hero. Yet something in this new role, something in his portrayal of a man who has been undercover too long makes me want to see where the story will go.

As I continue to read, watch movies and television shows, I’ll work my way back into my own WIPs. Leaving my current work—the one I thought I would release in August—at least for a while, may be the best option. When I return to it, it will be as if it’s new and I’ll see my way through on how to fix it. Meanwhile, I’ll get back to the newer ones.

What I'm Reading

Every week I introduce you to authors and their books. This week I’d like to share books I’ve really enjoyed and some books I’m looking forward to reading, in no particular order.

After participating in their wild and crazy Facebook party, I read the first Dix Dodd mystery by Norah Wilson and Heather Doherty, The Case of the Flashing Fashion Queen. If the title doesn’t give you a clue, this book is laugh out loud funny. A forty-plus P.I. and her gorgeous twenty-something assistant. While not as crazy as Stephanie Plum and Lula, this is definitely a series I’ll follow.

Split Second by David Baldacci, mystery. I loved the short-lived TV show "King and Maxwell." Until a friend informed me, I had no idea the show was based on Baldacci’s books. Split Second introduces the Secret Service agents (one former, the other on suspension) while solving two mysteries. Another series I’ll follow.

Sixth Sense (A Psychic Crystal Mystery) by Marilyn Baron, romantic suspense. She’s a psychic; he’s a cop who thinks all psychics are frauds. They’re forced to work together to solve disappearances. The conflict between them is almost as strong as their attraction to each other.

We’ll Never Tell and She’ll Never Rest by Jannine Gallant, the first and third books in the Secrets of Ravenwood series. Compelling romantic suspense, strong characters, a page turner. The books can be read out of order (as I did), but they made me want to read the one in between.

The Smuggler Wore Silk by Alyssa Alexander. This Regency-era romantic suspense kept me up way too late at night reading until my eyes blurred. Otherwise I would have read it in one sitting (er, lying in bed). Can’t wait for Alexander’s next book.

Psychic Warrior by Bob Mayer. Some mysteries start you off on the edge of a cliff and, like a snowball rolling downhill, keep building and building. Others start slower then grab you and don’t let go. Mayer’s books are the latter. An interesting concept. Soldiers who can project themselves psychically to gather intelligence hundreds or thousands of miles away from their bodies. Even better, using an avatar, they can battle the enemy.

Canyons of the Night by Jayne Castle. With any of Jayne Ann Krentz’s books (writing as herself, Jayne Castle, or Amanda Quinn), I’m a real fan girl. I especially enjoy the Jayne Castle futuristic romances. I devoured this book in one night then reread it the next day.

Hope’s Folly by Linnea Sinclair, science fiction romance. Another fan girl moment. I love all of Sinclair’s books, but this is my favorite. An old (according to him) wounded warrior and a young no-respect-for-the-rules self-appointed (should I mention head strong?) security chief who’s been in love with him since she was a child. Never mind the attempted assassination or the war waging around them in space. I’ll read Philip and Rya’s story again and again because of the characters.

Two holiday romances: Journey of the Magi by Barbara Edwards and Christmas Wishes by Patricia Kiyono. Heartwarming, feel-good books. Perfect any time of the year.

I’ve been catching up on some outstanding (classic?) science fiction and science fiction romances. Jack Campbell’s The Lost Fleet: Dauntless; Julie E. Czerneda’s A Thousand Words for Stranger; Ann Aguirre’s Grimspace (Jax); Foreigner by C.J. Cherryh; David Weber’s On Basilisk Station (Honor Harrington); Andre Norton’s Sargasso of Space (Solar Queen series). Compelling stories. I can see why they are on everyone’s must read list.

I just wish writers wouldn’t write series because I always want to read the next book. Since I write series, as my mom would say, I’m the pot calling the kettle black. LOL

Besides the 200+ unread books on my Kindle (blame Free Books), I’m anxious to read Only If You Dare by Margo Hoornstra, contemporary romance; Summertime Dream by Babette James, contemporary romance; Lie Catchers by Rolynn Anderson, mystery; R.T. Wolfe’s Savage Deception, romantic suspense; the third book in Maris Soule’s PJ Benson Crows mysteries; Delayed Justice by Constance Bretes, romantic suspense; Lucky in Love by Kristen Brockmeyer, romance.

So many books, so little time.

What are you reading?

Second Time Around

Do you reread books? My “keeper” shelf is for just that reason and it is so loaded. There are books that I have to keep. A story will grab me the first time and I’m so reluctant to let it go that sometimes I’ll reread the book right away. I can get so engrossed in the action, so impatient to find out what happens that I tend to miss things. Or the ending (usually in mysteries and suspense) is such a surprise that I have to start over to find the clues.

Why do we read a book we’ve already read when we have hundreds of books on our To Be Read pile? (I don’t know about you, but my TBR pile is so high it's toppling over.) I mean, we know the ending. So what is it that makes a book so compelling? 

Is it the story itself? A fascinating take on an old theme. A twist to a plot we’ve seen hundreds of times. A unique point of view. Or is it the characters? Characters so well written that they become “real”. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons sequels do well. We don’t want to let go of those characters and must find out what happens next in their lives.

Or is the reason we reread books something illusive? A combination of so many things—plot, characters, setting, atmosphere, humor, pathos, whatever—it’s hard to distinguish the elements that make that book too good to leave alone.

Now for a twist. Have you ever reread a story years later and wondered what you ever saw in it?

Next week, I will be blogging early to celebrate the launch of my latest book The Pilot. Come on back here next Sunday, December 2nd to read an excerpt from The Pilot and check out the stops along the “The Pilot Launch Tour” route.