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Inspiration
Jul. 2nd, 2010 11:23 pmI don't read a lot of romances, nor a lot of erotica. In fact, since I started writing, I've stopped reading almost completely. I know, that's not good, but I only have so much time, and I'd rather spend it with my own characters rather than someone else's. I just like my guys better than other people's guys, you know?
But every now and then I venture out and read something, and on a rare occasion, I'm blown away. I get caught up in the story and the characters, sure, but I also LEARN something. So, this post is brought to you by Janey Chapel's Maritime Men. I read it a while ago, and I liked it, but I just re-read it with a more author-ly eye, and...damn. Where my writing is loose and rambling, hers is tight. Every scene, every interaction counts for so much. There are sex scenes all over the place, but where mine are blocked off so distinctly that they generally get their own separate chapters, hers are seamlessly integrated into the overall narrative. You want to know how to combine sex with character development? This novella is a damn fine example. Sixty pages, half an hour of reading time, and I love her characters and want to read more about them. It's impressive, and I should almost certainly go back and reread it again in order to learn more about how it's done.
Or, of course, if you're just looking for a good read.
But every now and then I venture out and read something, and on a rare occasion, I'm blown away. I get caught up in the story and the characters, sure, but I also LEARN something. So, this post is brought to you by Janey Chapel's Maritime Men. I read it a while ago, and I liked it, but I just re-read it with a more author-ly eye, and...damn. Where my writing is loose and rambling, hers is tight. Every scene, every interaction counts for so much. There are sex scenes all over the place, but where mine are blocked off so distinctly that they generally get their own separate chapters, hers are seamlessly integrated into the overall narrative. You want to know how to combine sex with character development? This novella is a damn fine example. Sixty pages, half an hour of reading time, and I love her characters and want to read more about them. It's impressive, and I should almost certainly go back and reread it again in order to learn more about how it's done.
Or, of course, if you're just looking for a good read.
