Comments on: Plotting for Pleasure http://www.iheartpresents.com/2009/01/plotting-for-pleasure/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:30:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Coming up for a breath of air - Nicole Reising - Author Blog http://www.iheartpresents.com/2009/01/plotting-for-pleasure/comment-page-1/#comment-48489 Coming up for a breath of air - Nicole Reising - Author Blog Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:11:17 +0000 http://www.iheartpresents.com/?p=510#comment-48489 [...] that all day! But know I stopped by. In the course of doing this I came across a fab post over at Harlequin talking about the first chapter. Coincidentally, it answered some things I’d been pondering [...] [...] that all day! But know I stopped by. In the course of doing this I came across a fab post over at Harlequin talking about the first chapter. Coincidentally, it answered some things I’d been pondering [...]

]]> By: Christina Hollis http://www.iheartpresents.com/2009/01/plotting-for-pleasure/comment-page-1/#comment-48488 Christina Hollis Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:13:04 +0000 http://www.iheartpresents.com/?p=510#comment-48488 Hi Sabrina - yes the 'emotional drivers' you mention ( I think you used the phrase in your blog, too?) benefit from being both obvious and concealed - the 'Russian doll' effect. and hi too, Karen - yes, Venice is such a wonderful, unforgettable old lady, isn't she? I hope you get to visit her again soon! Hi Sabrina – yes the ‘emotional drivers’ you mention ( I think you used the phrase in your blog, too?) benefit from being both obvious and concealed – the ‘Russian doll’ effect.
and hi too, Karen – yes, Venice is such a wonderful, unforgettable old lady, isn’t she? I hope you get to visit her again soon!

]]> By: Karen http://www.iheartpresents.com/2009/01/plotting-for-pleasure/comment-page-1/#comment-48487 Karen Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:27:19 +0000 http://www.iheartpresents.com/?p=510#comment-48487 Hi Christina This is such a great post, and I completely agree with what you said about knowing that my pleasure is guaranteed and I know exactly what I'm letting myself in for, when a Modern/Presents lands in my hands! The waters will be comforting and warm for my swim. When I get your book, (It's already on order), I will know exactly how Beth will be feeling, on her water taxi in Venice, I was there 2 years ago. For me though, the glorious anticipation of getting off that taxi, onto the quay near St Mark's, will always stay cherished in my heart. Venice was everything I imagined and more! Thanks again. xx Karen Hi Christina
This is such a great post, and I completely agree with what you said about knowing that my pleasure is guaranteed and I know exactly what I’m letting myself in for, when a Modern/Presents lands in my hands!
The waters will be comforting and warm for my swim.
When I get your book, (It’s already on order), I will know exactly how Beth will be feeling, on her water taxi in Venice, I was there 2 years ago. For me though, the glorious anticipation of getting off that taxi, onto the quay near St Mark’s, will always stay cherished in my heart. Venice was everything I imagined and more!
Thanks again.
xx Karen

]]> By: Sabrina Philips http://www.iheartpresents.com/2009/01/plotting-for-pleasure/comment-page-1/#comment-48484 Sabrina Philips Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:29:18 +0000 http://www.iheartpresents.com/?p=510#comment-48484 Hi Christina, great post! My tip would be something you've already touched upon - that characters' histories must emerge over the course of the book and not straight away, i.e. don't give everything away too quickly! Characters' actions, and therefore the plot, must be driven by very real emotions - hope/fear etc, but just as in real life, they won't constantly be talking or thinking about the root of these emotions. Sometimes they aren't even completely aware of these 'emotional drivers' themselves. Revealing the past slowly gives a real page-turning quality because it makes us long to find out why the hero and heroine act the way they do, and as Abby says, how on earth they are ever going to overcome those tensions and get it together! Sabrina xx Hi Christina, great post!

My tip would be something you’ve already touched upon – that characters’ histories must emerge over the course of the book and not straight away, i.e. don’t give everything away too quickly!

Characters’ actions, and therefore the plot, must be driven by very real emotions – hope/fear etc, but just as in real life, they won’t constantly be talking or thinking about the root of these emotions. Sometimes they aren’t even completely aware of these ‘emotional drivers’ themselves.

Revealing the past slowly gives a real page-turning quality because it makes us long to find out why the hero and heroine act the way they do, and as Abby says, how on earth they are ever going to overcome those tensions and get it together!

Sabrina xx

]]> By: Christina Hollis http://www.iheartpresents.com/2009/01/plotting-for-pleasure/comment-page-1/#comment-48480 Christina Hollis Wed, 14 Jan 2009 04:57:50 +0000 http://www.iheartpresents.com/?p=510#comment-48480 Thanks, Abby, it's that sort of escapism I look for when I read Presents. Stories of a sultry hero and beautiful weather - just the thing for these cold winter nights! Thanks, Abby, it’s that sort of escapism I look for when I read Presents. Stories of a sultry hero and beautiful weather – just the thing for these cold winter nights!

]]> By: abby green http://www.iheartpresents.com/2009/01/plotting-for-pleasure/comment-page-1/#comment-48472 abby green Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:47:43 +0000 http://www.iheartpresents.com/?p=510#comment-48472 Oooooh Christina I want to be swimming in the warm currents with you! Especially at the moment with sub-zero temps outside, brrrrrrr. What a gorgeous image you've evoked. I don't think I ever want to go to a public pool again! You've hit the nail on the head with everything you said, for me there has to be that tension and that certain something that keeps you on edge, wondering right until the last moment how on earth these two people are going to get together and why it should feel so important that they do... x Abby Oooooh Christina I want to be swimming in the warm currents with you! Especially at the moment with sub-zero temps outside, brrrrrrr. What a gorgeous image you’ve evoked. I don’t think I ever want to go to a public pool again!
You’ve hit the nail on the head with everything you said, for me there has to be that tension and that certain something that keeps you on edge, wondering right until the last moment how on earth these two people are going to get together and why it should feel so important that they do…

x Abby

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