I’m a big fan of the island setting! I love how idyllic it feels, and the idea that the hero and the heroine can just get on with falling for each other without worrying about rent, traffic and city hustle and bustle in the background. I guess I’m a fan of remote settings in general (countryside, mountain cabin, beach cottage, lakeside). It adds to the intensity of the relationship for me.

I love a man with a high IQ! I’d take a nerdy Math Phd. over a pretty-boy actor any day, but I don’t mind a combination of the two!

JP

I just finished the first draft which has been dragging on forever of my WiP, and while I’m letting it sit before going back and beginning edits I’ve got a bit “What’s the point bothering?” about the story.

You just reminded me that I have a skinny dipping scene in my WiP too(indoors in a private pool, not on the beach). Can’t wait to dive in and edit it now!

Thanks for giving me my enthusiasm back!

You’re a treasure, thank you so much. I’ve lots to learn and I thank you for part of that growth.

Am I doing the IHearts Presents contest? I just can’t wait!!! I’ve entered in the last two and whereas I didn’t win, I did get the attention of one fine editor, hence my WIP.

I’ve tried to keep the location of my books local in the U.S. as I’m most comfortable writing about what I know the best. Your remarks about Martha’s Vineyard, however, has inspired me to “think outside the box” into other countries for the contest. I’ve been to Europe but not so many times to feel comfortable writing about it.

But now I’m looking forward to the adventure of stepping outside my comfort zone with my new characters to see what parts of the world I’ve missed and what they can teach me about them.

Thanks again, Trish. As mentioned, you are a gem to this aspiring writer.

Karen in California

Believe me, there isn’t a writer on the planet who doesn’t get into a rut at one time or another. You’re not alone – TRUST ME! I’m really glad to have helped though. We all take time to find what works for us and what doesn’t and even then there will be times when we have to shake things up a little to jar hitherto undiscovered ideas loose I NEVER know what my characters will do until I put them into the situation they’re in at the beginning of the book. Hence why I’m a panster rather than a plotter. I think it really comes down to personality types. For me it’s vital to know the characters before I start so that I have an idea of how they’ll react in any given situation and how the things that happen might change them; when they’ll go with the flow, when they’ll fight the changes etc. The characters are the focal point of the story, so as long as I have them firmly fixed in my mind and an idea of where I’m beginning, where I want to end up and a loose idea of a few scenes in the in-between then I’m good to go. The adventure is where they take me and the magic happens when suddenly something will pop up or I’ll find them reacting in a way I hadn’t anticipated. I call it fairy dust. It most definitely IS magical, but it’s also an intangible so I can’t really nail it down – nor do I want to frankly. Though in fairness I miss it when it’s not there. But when it doesn’t appear it’s usually a sign I’ve gone off-track somewhere…

Whatever works I say!

Keep at it! And don’t be afraid to ask questions. The romance writing community ROCKS and honestly, they’re the friendliest bunch out there Good luck with the WIP! Are you doing the new IHeart Presents contest?

Me too! And one of the many, many things I loved about Adam was, despite the fact he was a man of few words, it was clear he understood the quotes he would use from Voltaire to Kerouac and back again. It’s that whole calm on the surface thing that adds to his attraction I think. It ignites the need for my heroine to delve beneath that surface, you know? And ITA about Martha’s Vineyard. It’s most definitely on my list of places to visit now and I can see myself revisiting it as a setting too. My current one spends half it’s time in The Hamptons, so I think I’m being drawn to that part of the world

I’m compelled to comment about your wonderful inspirational methods without the incentive being offered.

Frankly, I’ve been in a bit of a rut on my current work in progress. But you’ve inspired me with a different perspective to break through whatever I was struggling with. I’m finding something out about myself and that is, I don’t know what my characters will do until I’m writing it. Then it becomes magical. This is true then, right? Is that what happens with you?

I want so much to be a successful author and what you’ve written here has given me much hope that I’m on the right track.

Thanks for sharing,

Karen in California

Summer.