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Authors take risks all the time. As I pointed out here, every story's been told many times over. Making characters unique, likable, credible - whether good or evil - and consistent throughout the story until something profoundly changes them - and even the outcome of the change has to be believable with that character- in all of these instances, the author takes a risk. Will readers like the character(s)? Will the character perform to the readers' expectations? Will the hero be too perfect? Will the heroine be too whiny? Will the bad guys be too stereotypical (how can they not)?
Having said all that, I confess to taking a major risk in my new novel. My hero in this story is not perfect, but he's close.
The blurb:
He's a recluse. She's seeking refuge.
He's eliminated almost everyone from his life except his friends from his military career cut short by injury and his family's occasional visits. He's converted a 3-bay garage into his self-contained unit where he mostly lives and conducts his cyber forensics businesses. He rarely uses his three bedroom home attached to this garage except for occasionally indulging his skills in the kitchen and enjoying a fire in his huge fireplace. Other than those things, he spends his time alone. Until one early morning hour his monitor above his terminals beeps and exposes someone from his camera on the porch pounding on his screen door.
I'm willing to make this hero . . . a real hero. I'm taking that risk.
Father, thank you for all the inspiration. Apart from you, I can do nothing. I got nothing. I am nothing. Always desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Many years ago one of several self-portraits: Nicole by Nicole. What can I say? This was me back then.
Father, only you know hearts and minds. You waited until mine was ready for you. Thank you for rescuing me from myself. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Thank you, Jesus. Holy Spirit, thank you for sustaining me in spite of me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
This is a 1967 Mustang. Can't tell if it's "champagne" colored, but one of my close friends in high school was given this lovely gift as a graduation present from her parents. We spent many hours driving around in her 3 - speed Mustang. So much fun.
This is a 1968 Toyota Land Cruiser. It's significant because it's one of the two vehicles owned by my protagonist in my upcoming novel. His is covered in grey primer.
This is a 2004 Cobra Terminator which is the "other" vehicle owned by my protagonist in the almost finished new novel.
Fabulous vehicles, don't you think?
Father, thank you for exquisite designs, magnificent inventions, and the beauty of cars. You're an amazing creator who gives ideas and inspirations to those you create. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Many readers and authors know the most purchased stories in the novel world are in the romance genre. Literally millions of romance novels have been penned and read throughout the history of writing fiction.
As many readers and writers of romance novels as there are, it follows to add that every story has been written. So the question that must be asked is how can the romance genre continue to succeed as the leader in fiction? Those die-hard romance readers must know every possible plot from the "meant-to-be together" couples to the "star-crossed lovers" tales and every other kind of romance in between. Wouldn't that eventually cause a sweeping case of boredom and potentially be enough to knock the genre down a peg or two?
Apparently not. While other genres are truly successful, none can compare to the market share of the romance genre.
Understand I'm not complaining or even in awe of the statistics since I write romance and/or love stories. And though I write them, you might find I'm an anomaly among romance writers because I read fewer romance novels than other genres. I have specific authors I read for romance, and I can assure you it's a small number. The reason for that being that most of the inspirational/ Christian fiction authors tend to describe their romances as "clean and . . ." fill in the blank. This was no doubt prompted by the explicitness or graphic descriptions of sexual encounters in the general market's versions of "romance".
You will never find graphic sexual scenes in my novels, but you will read of temptations to both hero and heroine and peripheral characters. You will find the gospel within the pages of my stories, people who walk the talk and people who shun the faith. Because that is our world. Regarding the romance: it's authentic, it's real, and at times it's raw. I remind you every story's been told so what we as romance/love story authors must do is make our characters compelling, the scenes truthful, the results not only plausible but desirable and genuine. Knowing that so many have done it well and yet many do fail, it's a challenge to take on writing a romance novel. One thing you can't ignore when writing the story is it must come from the heart.
As Solomon once said, "There's nothing new under the sun." And it still applies to romance novels and probably every other story ever written.
Father, apart from you, I can do nothing. That's the simple but powerful truth. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Favorite things:
Favorite holiday
Name your 3 favorite meals
Five of your favorite places to visit
Do you have an actual favorite song?
What are your 3 favorite gifts you've received in your life?
Father, you've given us so many favorite things. Your benevolence is astounding. You are the giver of good and perfect gifts. And apart from you, we can do nothing. We're all desperate for you whether we know it or not. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Taken by my good friend many years ago in our room in Rome, Italy. Just one of many "photo shoots" we played with on our nearly three month jaunt to Europe and Great Britain. So much fun for two young women. Trip of a lifetime for me.
Father, you protected me then when I didn't yet know you, and you're still protecting me to this day now that I treasure you, my Savior. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
The physical beauty of Thailand.
Father, you left us with such beauty in diverse places. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Book 20 in Mark Dawson's sensational John Milton Novel Series, Bulletproof will remind you of someone and something . . .
He was promised his freedom from the pursuit of Group 15 by the current Control if he would do this one last thing which didn't involve executing anyone, but John Milton's history with this division of MI6 knew better than to ultimately count on that. However, he accepted the assignment to help protect a wealthy man he once knew back in his days of working for Group 15, days he would rather forget. When Tristan Huxley only agreed to the protection by Group 15 if John Milton would be his guardian during the terse time of a few days before the signing of a weapons brokerage deal between Russia and India, Control had no choice but to make it happen. Included in that protection are Milton's former nemisis Thorssen (Number 1) and a female agent (Number 6). Both #s 1 and 6 ranted against involving Milton, but the billionaire Tristan said no deal without Milton.
Tristan remembers John as the hard-drinking assassin, but John assures him during their re-introduction at Tristan's opulent dwelling that he's not that same man, which momentarily poses some awkwardness, but it passes with John's steadfast refusal to indulge himself. What Tristan, Thorssen, and #6 don't see is the strain on John to resist the presence of the available at all times liquor. He overcomes it as the plot to protect Tristan proves far more challenging than it should be because of Tristan's self-obssessed and determined intent to do things his way which involves an ill-advised bacchanalian weekend at his private island in Sri Lanka. To top that weekend off, sabotage becomes apparent nearly landing everyone in extreme danger.
When John realizes the ultimate source of Tristan's incredible wealth, he and Thorssen discover their similar aversion which occurs just before Thorssen ends up in the hospital.
As you might recall, John's penance for his days with Group 15 involved helping those who can't help themselves and/or find justice that has eluded them. In this case John figures out a way to get justice for a few who've lost so much.
The Epilogue to this story is perfect and projects a potential plot for Book 21 - or not. It's not a cliffhanger by any stretch.
Bulletproof is a not-so-subtle takeoff from an event and persona(s) Americans will remember particularly well, but the international community, specifically Great Britain, will also recognize. A well-told and imaginative thriller one can almost say is based on a true story.
Father, please continue to provide what Mark needs to keep writing his stories. Bless him and his family and may he know from where his talent comes. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Hearing their voices, seeing their expressions, knowing their thoughts, the voyeur watches . . . It's an author thing.
Dragging my feet, not wanting this story to end, to have to say goodbye to these characters . . . It's an author thing.
Mental occupation by scenes, actions, conversations - creating them anywhere, anytime . . . It's an author thing.
Writing that opening to the final words, the journey takes time . . . It's an author thing.
Lord, thank you for it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Playing to your strengths . . . (originally posted on 11/19/12)
Physical strength varies even within people who are the same size. Some smaller people have remarkable strength while some large people show limited physical capability. All kinds of physiques can train to gain strengths, but each individual possesses different talents which aren't always visible in physical demonstrations.
I'm only 5' 4". When I was young and working at the racetrack, I developed some decent strength for my size and weight. Handling Thoroughbreds and tugging on hay and straw bales force you to get tough. You push yourself to do what you couldn't do before you gained the experience and reps.
When writing, you have to play to your strengths as you develop ways to compensate for your natural weaknesses. I've been told and I tend to agree that my writing strengths show up in character development and dialogue. No wonder I don't write complex plots, huh? Not to say I can't improve on my natural strengths but good to know I at least have been complimented on them.
I don't have a formula for the weight lifting exercises involved in perfecting your writing strengths, and I tend to shun the instructions that guarantee or suggest a slam dunk approach. All I can offer is keep working out. Read and write - the best exercises for improving your strengths.
Father, whatever strengths I might have I owe to you. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
The beauty of the night and the comfort of the solitude. Can you hear the quiet? Does the silence still your soul or does it make you anxious? What does your heartbeat say? Whose voice do you want to hear the most? What do you have to speak out loud?
Father, your voice is the most important one, but sometimes I can't hear you. It's me, not you. Holy Spirit, always desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
From my novel, Chapter 29, Seeing . . .
REPERCUSSIONS
I haven't written in this journal since we made peace so many years ago. You sent me thoughts and visions and burdens to pray for people I didn't know. You're aware of all the times I've felt so weird. How alone.
And now I wonder if I'm not rescinding on your plan for me. My desires jumble my brain. My conduct leans more heavily toward pleasing my body. The girl you sent into my life proves both a worthy opponent and an inspiration to cling to you for every word of instruction. And like you do sometimes, you remain quiet or you interject challenge, and I feel like I'm flat off my game. Somehow love got involved. I remembered the attraction, and you know I welcomed it because it restored my manhood--reminded me that I can still feel at all. I thought it was all the flesh--the craving so powerful. And so unsatisfied. But it's more.
She doesn't know you, Jesus. Holy Spirit, I can watch you working. Patient. Kind. I know the line, Lord. To cross it would be like slipping into a noose. The repercussions fatal for me. I can't risk it. Please, Lord God, save her.
Father, apart from you, I can do nothing. Thank you for every inspiration, word, novel. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Out of all the wonderful novels I've read and loved, these four hold the distinction of having been read at least twice. Unforgotten was read three times if I remember correctly. The Masterpiece holds the record of at least 10 times. Seriously. I loved it every time I read it. Three magnificent Christian authors. Four great novels.
Father, please continue to bless these authors and their work. Beautiful books, perfect inspiration. Thank you for them. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.