genre – Marina Skynnar- Author

Characters & Introspection

I’ve written a lot over the years. Mostly short stories in the erotica genre. I mentioned in previous blogs that I have no trouble writing a down and dirty sex scene. Sometimes even way outside the box of what might be considered a “norm”. Norm meaning no fetish involved.

I digress, but also setting a stage so to speak.

One of the reasons I think my characters have been successful, sex or no sex involved- is because I “feel” what the character feels. Maybe it’s because I’m an empath (not digressing into that topic, promise) but if I close my eyes and just put out the feelers, I knew what should come next, be it movement, feeling, emotion.

BUT, is it empath, or is it just me putting a piece of me into my characters? Is it me putting my wants and desires into how the peripheral characters interact with the main character?

How do you define your characters? Do you think that you put a bit of you, your alter ego, the person you want yourself to be onto the pages?

If you sit back and think about it, I think there’s a small part of every author in one or more of the characters. It can apply to any genre… is the character organized? Bold, introvert/extrovert… the list goes on.

Have you ever had an aha moment where a character does something and it’s a WTF moment and when you ponder the scenario you realize that it’s a part of you?

zapped

The amount of physical energy it takes to constantly hop from one place to another is almost overwhelming.

BUT, I have managed to get some research done on the new character. Well new to book 1.

When you’re writing in a specific genre and there are a plethora of authors/books already, how do you differentiate your lexicon from that which is already mainstream and accepted.

There is a blank-ton of paranormal/urban fantasy books out there…. I want to be unique without readers scratching their heads and putting the book down because it doesn’t conform to what they already know or believe to be true.

I know that stories sometimes get around that with the disclaimer “contrary to popular belief” type comments.

Do you stop reading the genre you’re writing in or do you pounce on everything you can get your hands on?

Curious minds want to know…

Cheers!

A Little Angst for Nothing?

For the past few days, probably almost up to a week now, I’m angst’ng over whether I’m creating a story that’s real and believable.

I also need to remember that I’m writing Urban Fantasy, where it’s a mix of, well, real and fantasy. So I’m not quite sure why I’m adding this additional pressure on my back. I have enough worries about becoming hunchback in my not so distant golden years, why add to it?

Well, because.

Because you say? Yes, I say. Even with the fantasy part, there’s got to be a sense of real in there as well. Can these series of events truly blend with the every day happenings of a “normal” society. The answer is obviously yes given how huge and successful the genre is.

So I took a step back yesterday and mulled the story thus far. Yep, I think I’m doing okay. Jay has already told me the pieces lock together. It’s the imposter syndrome methinks. I don’t really feel like I earned the right to belong here.

Self… knock that shit off.

Will work on that.

Getting it Right

This post glides right along side the previous post regarding description, and well my lack thereof.

Upon further reflection of that text, just thoughts, not an actual review of what I wrote- I wonder how much is too much.

Let me elaborate.

I’m good at writing erotica, especially of the BDSM variety. I can get the reader holding their breath waiting for the next action (at least that’s what I’ve been told). I make it “real” even if some of the scenes I’ve written are a bit extreme they are not out of the realm of real. Description in these stories comes easy, down to the n^th degree.

So why is it so dang difficult to insert description in this manuscript? I’m contemplating this as I’m actually stumbling over my next scene. It’s a real place one in which many people can visit nearly every day of the year. So how in depth do I get? (rhetorical) Do I dive down into the scenery, describe the hike; or do I skim the scenery and focus on the trek, the emotion, the weather- OR do I do both?

Yes, yes, I do realize this is only my first draft and there will be many revisions. Part of the struggle is how easy it was to write the previous manuscript (the one that’s still unpublished and sitting on my hard drive.

Urban fantasy is a slightly new genre for me to write, not read. I read nearly everything I can get my hands on regardless of how well known the author is.

People get it right, some don’t. I don’t want to be part of the latter.

Bumping Uglies and Flowery Petals

I’ve written plenty over the years, most of it not for public consumption. I wrote some erotica- short stories that were posted on a couple of different sites on the web that catered to that type of content. I do enjoy writing a good sex scene (and for those who haven’t ventured into that genre it’s harder than it seems). I close my eyes and imagine what comes next, the touch, the feel, the motion, and yes- the body parts. Now I know there are many authors out there who give the privates some flowery names- literally. Which for some readers, they like to have the bumping uglies be a nice tidy affair. I am not one of them.

I want my sex scenes to be raw, sweaty, heart pumping moments that leave the reader needing a moment to catch their own breath. So the verbiage is raw, the emotions are real, and the action is not for the faint of heart- most times at least. I don’t ever recall being in the moment and asking my partner to rub my bundle of nerves. Although I might try it just to see the look on my husband’s face. (I gave myself a giggle just writing that). Now I also realize that using the same words over and over again make the sex scene as exciting as writing a grocery list, but I at least will use the anatomical, and sometimes gritty terminology depending on how down and dirty the sex scene is.

Now I know you’re wondering why I haven’t used any terms in this blog to demonstrate my point. It’s simple really, I haven’t set the blog for NSFW content…. yet.

I will.

Have a wonderful day!