Let's Talk Blogfest

Hosted by Roni Griffin @ http://fictiongroupie.blogspot.com/

I spent hours, days, trying to decide what to use for the Let’s Talk Blogfest. I thought about going serious. Maybe more lighthearted? One of my monologues I’m supposed to be cutting down. (Guilty face) Then I just decided to go with one of my favorite. I think it’s cute and swee and right now I (and possibly the rest of the world) could use a good dose of that.


This expert is from my Romantic Suspense WIP. It may or may not stay in. Hope you enjoy.


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“Does it taste better coming up or going down?” Allen couldn’t resist the urge to tease.

“Don’t make fun of me right now.” Even in the dark he could see how much discomfort she was in as she carefully made her way over to him.

With a smile on his face, he watched as she felt her way around a mushroom craved-back armchair, bumped into an end table, and finally stubbing her toe on the loveseat.

“Ow!” she whined as she fell against the soft cushions.

“How much did you drink tonight?” he asked, joining her.

“A few martinis, that’s it.” She curled her legs beneath her. “Oh, and maybe one or two shots of tequila.”

Allen was shocked. “No wonder you got so sick. That can take down most men, much less a little squirt like you.” Then he asked the obvious, “You sure that’s all you had?”

Having already had this argument, the underlying hurt returned to her voice. “I’m not wasted, if that’s what you’re wondering. I may be stupid, but I’m not stupid enough to do drugs. Okay?”

“Okay! I’m sorry. How would I know? I had to ask.”

“Don’t yell!” She grabbed her head with her shaky hands. “I don’t feel well.”

“No kidding.” He laughed at her childish tone.

“The room’s spinning.” Putting her palms against her sweaty face, she asked, “If I fall, try to catch me, okay?”

“You’re sitting down, Shorty.”

“Oh…” She gave him a sheepish grin.

“You’re a full time job, you know that?” He moved as if he meant to leave her and she quickly gripped a frantic hold of his shirt, bringing him back down to a sitting position.

“Please, don’t go. I don’t wanna be alone.”

He took her hands gently, telling her, “Just lay down. I’ll be right back.”

Groaning, she did as he asked, moving into a fetal position. When that brought no comfort, she stretched her body across the sofa, trying to ignore another wave of nausea. A few brief seconds later, Allen returned with a wet washcloth he retrieved from her bathroom.

“Feeling any better,” he asked, pressing the cool cloth across her forehead.

Mary slowly opened one of her blue eyes. “Allen?” The way she said his name caused him to pause. It was delightfully sweet sounding. “I usually don’t drink this much.” She sighed, shifting into a more comfortable position. “I mean, I never get drunk like this. I’m not a lush or anything…”

“I never said you were.” He flipped the washcloth over.

“But you probably thought it, didn’t you?”

“Why do you care what I think?” Her eyes blinked open. He had a strange look on his face. It was like he was trying very hard not to smile or look amused. And for the second time that day Mary wished she could somehow read his mind to discover what he was thinking as he looked down at her that way.
“I don’t. I guess.” She shrugged, shutting her eyes again. It was becoming difficult to keep them open. “I just—I wanted you to know. I don’t want you to think bad about me.”

Without answering, Allen removed the rag from her forehead. The room went quite and her mind worried that he really did leave her this time.

“Allen?” She called out for him again.

“What, Shorty?” That deep voice was strangely comforting to her ears, soothing. It didn’t even bother her that he continued to call her Shorty.

“That guy I was with…” her voice trailed off.

“What about him?”

“He wasn’t trying to pick me up or anything.” Mary didn’t know why it was so important he knew this, she just knew it needed to be said. “His name’s Evan something. He’s our tour manager.  He wanted to talk business. He wasn’t hitting on me.”

It was silent for a long moment then she finally heard him say, “No more talking.” Then he placed the back of his hand on her forehead.  The weight and warmth of his touch comforted her and she didn't feel so bad anymore.

“Try to get some sleep.” Allen lifted his hand—Mary quickly settled it back in place.

“Your hands are so soft. You have the gentlest touch. Do you know that? I like that about you. I really do.” A sweet smile filled her face. “You can be very gentle and warm with me when you wanna be . . . only when you wanna be.”
“Say what?"  He was stunned by her complete turnaround. A few hours ago she was yelling and threatening bodily harm and now… "You’re really drunk, aren’t you?” Allen leaned in close, whispering, “I think it would be best if I pretend you never said that.” She stayed silent.  For a moment he thought she had finally fallen asleep. Then she called out his name again.

“What now?” An amused smile filled his usually rough features.

“I’m sorry I snuck out.”

He sighed softly. “Don’t worry about it.” Realizing an olive branch when he saw one, he extended one of his own. “I’m sorry I treated you like a piece of meat.”

“You should be.” Mary smirked. Then, since she was apologizing, she thought it best to apologize for everything.

“I didn’t mean to call you an ass.”

“It’s okay.  I can be an ass sometimes.”  He paused before telling her, “I’m sorry I called you stupid.” Mary barely heard his words, she was drifting fast.  All she could think about was the large hand stroking her hair softly. Something in this small gesture made her feel safe, protected, cared for.  It was a wonderful feeling.

“It’s okay. I am stupid…some—times…” her words faded. Then her head fell to the side, unable to hold off sleep any longer.

Allen watched as she slipped farther into a deep, peaceful slumber. Strangely, he found himself having to fight the strong urge to place a tiny kiss on her forehead. While there—watching as she was lost in her dreams—he felt, for the first time, this was exactly where he was supposed to be. He was supposed to be right here watching over her. Suddenly feeling very protective, he grabbed the blanket she brought out for him. Placing it over her, tucking her in, he whispered, “Goodnight…Mary.”

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Hope you liked it. And please check out all the other hard working writers out there who are taking part. You can find a list here: http://fictiongroupie.blogspot.com/2010/04/lets-talk-blogfest.html

Do you have it in your heart?

It’s May and, for me, that means TV time. All the best shows pull out all the stops to come up with spectacular season finales, which usually results in lots and lots of death. SPOILER ALERT FOR LOST AND PRIVATE PRACTICE!!!!! Some deaths are sad. (Dell on Private Practice comes to mind.) Others are downright poetic. (Sun and Jin’s parting hands as they pass over to the “other side” on Lost.)


The one thing these two completely different shows have in common, both shows left the children of these characters orphans. After watching PP I IM my nephew, a budding writer, saying the following: “I don’t know if I have it in my heart to do that to my characters.” To which he replied: “I do! And I have.”

This got me thinking back to one of my earlier WIPs. It was coming along beautifully. The writing was some of my best work. I had the beginning, was working through the middle, then I was ultimately faced with the end. I knew what had to happen. One of my characters had to die. But how do you kill off someone that you invested so much in? I loved this character. I watched her suffer, grow, find love but…in order to tell the story I wanted to tell…she needed to die.

I just didn’t have it in me to kill her off.

That’s when I hit the wall. I tried to write around it. Thought of numerous ways she could live and have it still make a similar impact. My head knows what needs to be done but my heart breaks every time I even think about it. (I have no problem offing the ones that deserve it? lol)

So how do you pull the trigger? Do you feel any guilt or are you like my nephew and start shooting away and see who’s still alive when the dust clears? Could you leave poor little Ji Yeon an orphan and not even lose a nights sleep?

Am I the only one that has this problem? Am I just a big softy who needs to develop a harder edge when it comes to the characters I love?

Kristian

Who are you? Who, who?

Where are my manners? I believe a little introduction is in order.

I’m Kristian and I love to write. Ha, this sort of feels like an AA meeting. Which, if you think about it, is a perfect way to describe writing—an addiction.

You see, I have this love-hate relationship with writing. Now, don’t take that the wrong way. I do LOVE writing but sometimes we have these knockdown-drag-out fights that don’t end well. One of us is left crying (it’s always me) and the other laughs at how easy it was to break an already weakened spirit.

Currently, we are doing are best to get back together for the long haul. We are soul mates, after all. All roads lead back…this is my destiny (you just knew I would get a “Lost” reference in here sooner or later.)

Let’s see, over the last 15 years I have tried my best to quite the stuff at least a dozen times. There have been times I’ve told myself that I don’t need it, that all this writing stuff was just a silly waste of time. Not good enough. Nope, no one cares about what I want to write about.

I’ve thought it all, felt it all.

I wrote my first novel when I was 17. The summer before I went to college I spent every waking moment on this one goal. I wrote it in three months on an old Brother word processor. (Does anyone else remember those things?) It ended up being over 400 pages long, single spaced. (Don't judge, I was a kid who had no idea what she was doing.) I still have the thick stack of papers, too.  It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come. To say it was bad would be an understatement, BUT there was promise.  I still love the idea, the characters, and I do plan to clean it up one day.

Then freshmen year came and it marked our first official break-up. I was away from home for the very first time. (And I do mean ever, I was never allowed sleepovers.) So, trying to get through college, and a shitty professor who claimed I had no imagination, I quit cold turkey.

Thus began our on-off relationship.

This is my current status:

1 relic.

A mostly completed romantic suspense novel that has been going though editing hell for about 5 years now.

A fully developed idea, ½ drafted chick lit I can’t quite figure out how to structure.

and

An idea for an urban fantasy that I’m not totally confidante that I can tackle yet.

Yes, I know what you’re thinking; I am all over the place. But I really don’t like being tied down by labels. I can only write what comes into my mind, and these are the results.

Do you think that’s a bad thing? Do you also have a love-hate relationship with writing? How many times have the two of you broken up?

Love to hear from you.

Til next time,
Kristian

Back in the saddle again

Okay, so here’s the deal. About a year ago I stopped doing this blog because it was taking up A LOT of time I did not have to spare. While I enjoyed it, something had to go. I never really thought I would ever get it going again, but just in case I saved everything. (Besides, Not So Bad Lit is the cleverest idea I have ever come up with, would’ve been a shame to waste it. Lol)

Well, thank goodness I did. Because I'm back!  And for a good reason. Roni Griffin’s – a fellow blogger who knows a hellva lot more about all this writing stuff than anyone I’ve ever come in contact with – dialogue blogfest.

Now, I actually have no idea what a blogfest is, but anything having to do with giving me an excuse to write copious amounts of dialogue has my full attention. (Relax, I will narrow it down to one. lol ) She has over 50 people already signed up, so it’s gonna be a good one, whatever it is. lol

Sign up and join, it’s sure to be a blast and I bet there will be lots of great stuff to read. Oh, and I hear there's a prize!

http://fictiongroupie.blogspot.com/2010/04/lets-talk-blogfest.html

I’m thinking, if all goes well, and the kids I take care of don’t kill be before then, I will be posting once or twice a week. During that down time, you can also catch me on twitter. (Same user name)

Kristian

PS, is it cleverest or most clever? I debated about that for a good hour. lol