Taking a Step Towards Relaxation

Dear Readers,

It seems that I've decided to acknowledge a well-known tendency within myself that is due for some ... work, shall we say. I have always been intense. Whatever I do, I give myself to it wholeheartedly. This exhibits itself in obsessive behaviors. In and of itself, that isn't such a bad thing. After all, it's due to that attribute that I'm able to write novels, stay devoted to my husband and family, and stay interesting.

That said, I've also come to realize that my intensity lends itself to stress, even in the midst of doing something that should be innately relaxing, like reading books. As I've noted in earlier blogs, I had given up leisure reading for 10-12 years while homeschooling my children and being a stay-at-home mom. A couple years after sending my children off to public school and returning to work PT, my husband insisted I read "The DiVinci Code." I loved it. Afterwards, my daughter encouraged me to read the Harry Potter books, and I thoroughly enjoyed those as well. I particularly appreciated her writing style. About a year later (around last Oct, I think), I was back into reading fiction and what a transition it has been. I've been reading dozens of books each week.

Sounds like it should have been relaxing, but no. Not for me. Somehow I've made reading stressful. I enjoy it, yes. But stressful nonetheless. The same is true with my writing. I LOVE my stories (talking about the gods is one of my favorite hobbies), but I force myself to write even when I'm not in the mood. That isn't necessarily bad, but it's not good either. It's stressful. Same is true with weight-loss. I can't just enjoy the process of revising my eating and exercise habits, I have to obliverate them. Again, stressing myself over it. Stress, by the way, is one of the causes for weight gain.

So I've come to a solemn recognition. It's time to lighten up.

Now, the question becomes, how?

Progress on Kalika Rising

Dear Readers,

I am more than thrilled with the progress I've been making on the 2nd Soul Eclipse novel, "Kalika Rising." Though it comes in spurts, the story works off of the actual mythology of the goddess Kali. Both horrible and beautiful, she is a challenge to create. The reader will be faced with her most vicious side ... and her most damaged. In some ways, I liken her to the Lady MacBeth who washes her hands repeatedly, stating, "out damn spot," to remove the blood staining her conscience.

By contrast, Shiva has been developing into an unexpectedly sympathetic character who is repeatedly drawn into this never-ending war with Kalika by his utter belief in her completely amoral nature. A belief that she nightly reaffirms with her belligerance.

I've already completed nearly 60 pages and hope to have the 1st draft finished by the end of March, but I'll not lay odds on it.

10 Kudos About Romance Novels

Dear Readers,

This isn't as easy as the 10 Gripes, but I'm going to give it a shot. Here are the 10 (or so) things that I enjoy reading in romance novels.

1. Character development. The very best romances are those that show (without overdoing it) how a character is growing as a person or overcoming an obstacle in his/her life.
2. Humor. One of the best examples of lighthearted, breezy fun romance was by an author that I don't otherwise enjoy (Lisa Cach). She wrote "George and the Virgin." I've never laughed so much in a book in my life. Although I have read and enjoyed some of the darker romances, I most consistently return to authors that know how to use humor effectively throughout their books. BTW, Katie MacAlister ("Noble Intentions") is every bit as funny.
3. Relationship development. This is a tough one to do correctly and often becomes one of my biggest gripes as opposed to one of the factors I most enjoy. I hate histrionics and too often authors use histrionic thinking with their heroines. But when they use rational thinking processes and show a more natural relationship development, I can be extremely touched by it. (Good ex: Catherine Anderson's "Coulter Series").
4. Lively dialogue. Oh, how I wish I could see more of this. But I have to say, I recently came across a book by one of my favorite authors that exemplified this to a "T." There was no huge plot, but the story revolved around a week-long wedding and two of the guests there. The witty dialogue between these two characters had me rolling on the floor. There was no "he loves me, he loves me not" type inner dialogue (which is extremely tedious in most romances), but a steadily progressing relationship while the wedding party around them is going to h*ll. A must read for those wanting a more grounded romance that is extremely fun (Kasey Michael's book "Everything's coming up Rosie.").
5. Common folk. Unfortunately, most romance writers seem to think that romance was limited to England amongst the nobles. But when they veer off this overworked venue and dare to create romance amongst the common folk, oh, how I enjoy the story. Unfortunately, not satisfied with mere mortals, these authors typically take guttersnipes that have somehow become incredibly weathy (Example: Bow Street Runner's series by Lisa Kleypas - very good series, BTW). Once in a blue moon I might come across average folk with average incomes having a romance, but it seems most "normal" folk are doomed to romance-less matches -- at least that's how it seems. (This sounds more like a gripe, doesn't it? Whoops.)
6. Average looking. It does happen. Maybe it's rare, but I have come across books that allow average looking women and average looking men (even rarer) to get together. In the Bedwyn series by Mary Balogh, Freyja is ugly at first glance but she grows on people. And Sydham Butler (in the Simply series) was deformed by torture during a war, and his heroine is a mere school teacher. That particular story ("Simply Love") managed to combine the best of these first six factors into one book.
7. Where love is distinguished from sex, and sex doesn't make make everything okay. Most romance authors today don't seem to make a distinction between lust and love and in this screwed up world of ours, it seems a real shame. Occasionally, books do make such a distinction. These books I enjoy because the fantasy of "happily ever after" seem more real than those where the hero and heroine are bickering and fighting throughout the book, then they have sex and supposedly all is well. They get married and I'm supposed to buy-into the idea of happily ever after. Sorry, can't do it.
8. Intelligent, fiesty females. I like strong female leads. Where a woman can be intelligent and strong without being unnecessarily argumentative or combative (Lisa Kleypas does well in this area, also). Unfortunately, that distinction also seems to be lost by many authors. A fiesty female is too often an unpleasant, argumentative one that screams and throws things to be heard. Geesh. That sounds more like a witch than what I consider fiesty.
9. Average males that are required by circumstances to be or do more than they are. This one, I have to admit, is not one I've come across but I would dearly love to see. Instead of the omnipresent body-builder, wide-shouldered, he-men of most romance novels, I'd like to see a normal man that achieves great things because he is forced by circumstances to do so. That, in my opinion, is what makes a REAL man.
10. Men that fail. Wow. This one is hard. I read one book (can't remember who wrote it), where the man had become a drunkard after being saddled with his dead brother's nasty lying-through-her teeth ("I'm pregnant") witch of a betrothed. He was at sea most of the time. Found the love of his life, but she wouldn't be his mistress and she wouldn't be his wife (even if it were possible) because he was a "wastrel." So he had to choose between his alcohol and the woman he loved. It was a very powerful story.

Well, that's my list. I know it had a lot more gripes than it should have, but I couldn't seem to get my fingers to cooperate with my intentions.

Oooo, I forgot one (seems that history is about to repeat itself).

11. Where women, forced by circumstances to become the dredges of society (prostitutes, thieves, etc.) are given a second chance in life. I've read several of these and I LOVE these stories. A couple examples include several by Mary Balogh: The Secret Pearl, No Man's Mistress, and a secondary storyline in Slightly Tempted. Julia Justiss' also has one, entitled The Courtesan.

Update on Books

Dear Readers,

As I indicated on my website, there's been some new developments in my writing. Rather than rehash everything I said at marlavendret.com in "upcoming books," I'd just like to give you the highlights.

First: I've completed the first draft of Lakshmi Rising, the Soul Eclipse series.
Second: I'm currently working on Kalika Rising, the sequel. I hadn't intended to immediately launch into it, it just happened. Immediately. Without any deliberate intent on my part. I don't know, does that sound like being possessed? Hmmm.
Third: I'm having so much fun writing this fantasy trilogy that I'm contemplating a change in plans for the Seven Hills of Rome trilogy. Although I enjoy reading romance, I much prefer to write a novel that simply has some romance in it, as opposed to focusing exclusively on the romance. This said, there's a chance this series may become a fantasy series as well. If not, perhaps a drama.

In the meantime, I am happily clicking away on my laptop. Kalika Rising is unlike any other story I've written thus far, due to the gruesome nature of its war between the forces of Kalika and the forces of her erstwhile husband Shiva. Neither recognizes the other, and their demonic advisors are making sure it stays that way. When Lakshmi and Vishnu (from book one) attempt to intervene, the bloodshed becomes much more personal.

Happy reading.

10 Gripes about Romance Novels

Dear Readers,

In the same vein as "10 Things I Hate About You," I've listed 10 gripes I have with some romance novels that I sincerely hope I may never be guilty of committing. This list is in no particular order.

1. Serial authors who use same plot formula in every book
2. A romance is going beautifully until the heroine/hero sabotages it with really stupid reasoning.
3. The omnipresent "impossibly tall" heroes with broad shoulders and rock hard builds. (Give me break! Geesh! How many 6 foot body builder-types were around in Scotland and Englands in the 1800's?)
4. Where the desperate need to hear the words, "I love you," overrides every single act of love. Since when is the pursuit of "words" more important than the "acts" of love? (BTW, this bothers me so much, I'm contemplating writing a romance where those words are never spoken. That'd be quite a challenge, don't you think?)
5. Drama queens" and/or stupid heroines
6. Convoluted problems (mostly in one's head) that are deliberately designed to prolong the book but add nothing to the story except irritating the reader
7. Heroes who are male whores (i.e. sleep with any and every available female)
8. Multiple and unnecessary sex scenes substituted for anything remotely resembling a plot (I've read -- ended up skimming, actually -- some books where sex scenes take up 1/2 the book!!) And more often than not, these sex scenes could be "cut and pasted" from one to another.
9. When a sexual response (the quissential "cock twitching" or "warmth pooling") is equated with love or the beginnings of it.
10. And accompanying #9 is the ridiculous conclusion by the hero/heroine that the object of his/her instanteous lust is substantially "different" (smarter, more common sense, more worthy in some way, despite never having set eyes on that person before) than others because of this sexual response. Geesh. Talk about rationalizing lust ....
    
    Which leads me to another whole set of issues that we'll consider to be a., b., c., etc. (so I can still pretend it's 10 things)

• Sex scenes where the woman is thrashing her head back and forth or some other outrageously overdone response to a man touching (just TOUCHING) her breasts. (Okay, I object to head thrashing in any scenario. It makes me want to toss the book in the fireplace.) Or that pinching and biting thing. Hey! That HURTS, why would a woman like that unless she's into a bit of S&M? And if she is, then say so! I wouldn't object to reading it if that's the point!
• Not only that (okay, now I'm on a roll), what is it with all these 1200's and 1800's guys having oral sex with their heroines. People barely bathed then (a few times a year!). I get nauseous just thinking of it. The only time I consider it appealing is when this occurs immediately after a bath. Otherwise, it's just plain GROSS!
• Then there's the men taking a woman's virginity and she gets dressed, walks around (pretending nothing happened) as though she isn't leaking blood all over the place at that point.
  
  Hmm. Okay. I think I'm done ranting. Now, to make up for it, I'll have to do a followup with "10 Things I Enjoy in Romance Novels."