Writing from a Man's Point of View

By Minnette Meador (Guest Blogger)

Here is what this amazing blog asked me to write about:

“It sounds from the blurb like GHOST OF A CHANCE is a M/F story told primarily from the point of view of the hero. If this is true, it's unusual in the romance world (I applaud that!). So what made you choose this point of view? Are you at all worried that romance readers will find it strange or be put off by it?”

I LOVE this question, mostly because it addresses something near and dear to my heart; how point of view changes the timbre of a book and introduces a whole new element into a story.

I come into romance from a very different platform; I began my career writing epic fantasy. In that genre I had to write from several different POVs (point of views), including men, women, mythical creatures, and powerful gods. I sharpened my writing chops by imagining what it would be like to be a non-human creature. It was very difficult, but very educational as well.

Here’s the interesting thing: The first time I wrote my fantasy book twenty years ago, I put in a gnarly old wizard, with long white hair and beard; you know, your stereotypical Gandalf character. When I came back twenty years later to re-write the book for publication, I did something outrageous; I turned the wizard into a wickedly cantankerous, wonderfully alive, beautiful older woman. It changed the book completely, gave it heart and warmth, opened up amazing angles from a romantic side, from a compassionate side, and made my other characters react completely differently. The book turned from a meager copy-cat fantasy into something really special. That’s what I hope I’ve done with A Ghost of a Chance.

I have five boys and one husband and most of my young life I had men friends instead of women friends. It’s given me a unique perspective, I think. That coupled with the fact that I like to write a bit outside the box, it just seemed natural to have this first book in the series from Keenan’s POV. During long conversations with my husband and a dear friend who happens to be a very good male romance writer, I struggled with the concept of the male mind. But after long cups of coffee at Starbucks, I think I finally got it; men are every bit as complicated as women, they just don’t show it as quickly. Add an elevated libido (compared to women) and it made it much easier to write from Keenan’s POV. Of course, I had to run everything through my male critique partners, but the experience was amazing. For you writers out there, try writing a scene with two or three males at a bar just talking about anything, then take it to your husband, your male friends, your grown up boys and ask them to read it, then ask these questions: Would you say something like that? What would you say instead? What goes through your mind when he say this? And so on. Your eyes will pop wide open.

So, to all my men friends out there that may be reading this, I thank the whole lot of you for making this woman’s life a little more interesting. I hope you will read A Ghost of a Chance; even those of you who do not read “romance.” This might surprise you.

I hope my lady readers won’t be put off by this departure from the norm; for me personally, I love stories that push the envelope and experiment with new ideas. But if you love your tried and true books, I respect that; I have stayed myself with a certain formula in mystery books that I deeply love, only because those books are like coming home to an old friend. Because of that, it is difficult for me to take up new mystery writers.

I do hope you’ll at least try A Ghost of a Chance. There should be enough tickles and tears for everyone. :o)

Blurb

Keenan Swanson is your typical, everyday graphic designer. Well, except for the hundreds of pesky, prank-loving poltergeists that make his life interesting (in a Chinese curse sort of way). He finds his situation precarious yet manageable—until witty, smoking-hot coworker Isabella enters the scene and Keenan decides he wants her all for himself. With a horny succubus who has other ideas, a burly city cop determined to lock Keenan away, and an evil entity who’s hell-bent on using Keenan’s seed to create a living demon, the reluctant psychic realizes he just might not come out of this alive—or with heart intact.

CHAPTER ONE – LIVING WITH STRANGERS

“Isabella, isn’t it?” Keenan hadn’t seen a ring on her finger, around her neck, or a Love John Forever tattoo any place noticeable, so he assumed she was available.

“Right. You’re Keenan. We met the other day.”

“Right.”

Usually he didn’t have problems talking to girls, but now it was harder than it had ever been. A hundred witty comebacks crowded his brain for attention, but not one of them could make it past the lump in his throat. His growing cock wasn’t going to be much help either; all it wanted him to do was blurt out, “Ya wanna?”

Bracing himself against possible rejection, and telling his cock to shut the fuck up, Keenan gathered his courage and charged into the fray. “Say listen, if you’re not…”

The elevator jarred to a halt and the doors burst open in front of them. At least fifteen people piled into the box, disregarding the “maximum occupancy” sign.

Keenan hit his back hard against the railing and suddenly found his arms full of warm, healthy girl.

The sounds around him came to a crashing halt when he fixated on those gorgeous almond eyes and full red lips. The urge to devour that mouth was irresistible. He felt like he was home. Her balmy scent marinated his brain, clouding out everything else. The velvet skin of her naked arms made his palms tingle.

A sudden terror seized him when he realized his rod stood at full attention, shouting, “Yippee!” Since the crowd had crushed Isabella against him, she must have felt it jumping like an excited dog against her stomach. To Keenan’s amazement, she didn’t say a word and smiled sweetly up at him. Her expression was almost pleased. It boggled his mind.

“Sorry,” he managed after a few precious seconds.

He let go and fully expected her to scrunch as far away from him as possible, a murmured “pervert” escaping her lips. Instead, she slid up next to him and stayed attached to his shoulder, turning her lovely breasts to the doors.

Keenan had a hard time keeping his eyes off them, noting with interest that both nipples were little rocks against the black fabric. He forced himself to focus on the bald spot on the head of the guy in front of him. He hoped to God the man wasn’t pushed back; in Keenan’s current state, it might be difficult to explain what rested against the man’s ass.

**********

Come hang out with Minette at www.minnettemeador.com and http://minnettemeador.blogspot.com

Get your own copy of A Ghost of a Chance at Respendence Publishing or Amazon.

NOTE FROM LISABET: Minnette will be giving away a Kindle at the end of her promotions campaign and anyone who comments on her tour, or on her blog, will be entered into that drawing. One randomly drawn commenter from the tour itself, as well as the tour host with the most comments, will-- in addition-- win a $100 Amazon gift certificate. So please, please, please - leave your comments, not only here but at each stop on Minnette's tour. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning! The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/05/virtual-book-tour-ghost-of-chance-by.html.