By Ann Everett (Guest Blogger)
Early
in every writer’s career, they’re told to write what
you know. For me, I need more information
before I can make good use of that advice.
Even
though I write romance, I’ve written stories that include murder, a
sociopath, and an alcoholic. Personally, I have no first-hand
experience with any of those. I’ve certainly never killed anyone…
though in reality, I’ve wanted to knock my husband upside his head
from time to time. Especially when he tells me how to drive!
The
beauty of fiction is I can commit murder without actually doing it! I
did that in my first book. I killed off a character based on a person
I didn’t like. Her identity has never been revealed, but I know who
she is—and that’s enough.
The
definition of a sociopath is “disorder which manifests in extreme
anti-social behavior and lack of conscience. The closest I’ve come
to that is eating chocolate in secret without a single regret!
As
for knowing the burden of alcoholism, I’ve never even been drunk. I
know—hard to believe, but it’s the truth. I’m somewhat of a
control freak and the thought of not being in charge of all my
faculties scares the pee-pee out of me. Hey, there are cameras
everywhere. I don’t want to wake up the next morning and find a
post of me doing drunk karaoke, getting a tattoo on my ass, or having
announced I waxed Mount Vagina!
I’ve
also had characters who were chicken farmers, Texas Rangers (the
lawmen type, not the baseball player types), a bartender, horse
trainer, Tarot card reader, and auctioneer, just to name a few. You
guessed it, I know nothing about any of those!
The
great thing about writing is you can find real people who do know
about those things. And, there’s always Google. In the first New
Adult Romance I published, TELL ME A
SECRET, main character, Maggie even googles a blow
job. Later, her love interest, Jace, is thrilled that she did.
I’m
lucky to have a medical doctor and police detective who are willing
to answer any question I have concerning medical issues or police
procedure. They are a real treasure because it’s important to get
the facts right. If you think you can get away with misinformation,
you’re wrong. A reader out there somewhere will be an expert on
just about every subject and call you out on them!
Write
what you know works in some instances. Like locations and
descriptions. I don’t write about New York City, even though I’ve
been there. All of my stories take place in Texas because I’ve
lived here all of my life. We talk funny, but I steer away from
overusing y’all, fixin’ to, ain’t, and bless your heart, along
with other things we say in everyday life. Readers get tired of
that—even Texans!
I
like to use Texas names for characters. Rayann, Jay Roy, Synola,
Saint, (yeah, I had that name in my family long before Kanye and Kim
came up with it.) And I generally use real locations like Austin,
Houston, Lubbock, Brownsboro (iddy-biddy town where I grew up) Tyler,
Athens, etc. However, in my last book, and the one about to release,
I made up a name so I wouldn’t have to be exact concerning its
whereabouts. Plus, I kind of like Bluebird, Texas. It gave me the
opportunity to build the town anyway I wanted. I like it so much, I
decided to write a series of companion books tied together by that
small- town location.
The
love scenes in my books are steamy and can be a bit graphic. One
reader recently wrote and asked—"how do
you know all the
explicit details for some
scenes?”
As
much as my husband likes to take credit, imagination is so much
better than real life. Heck, that’s why we read romance. The answer
to her question is—research. I do a lot by reading magazine
articles and internet searches.
As
readers, do you like to read what you know? Or, do you
like reading about new places or fictional locations? Is the setting
even important? Do the character’s occupations play any role in you
choosing a book?
Leave
a comment for a chance to win a “Come Fly With me to Bluebird,
Texas” tee-shirt. Sizes large and extra-large available. This prize
is only for US residents. Out of country winners will receive a
digital eBook of both Bluebird, Texas Romance Novels Chirp,
and True, my latest release.
Sometimes
it takes losing everything…
True
Shanahan must be the unluckiest woman in the world. Either that or
she’s cursed. After another failed relationship, True leaves Dallas
with a broken heart and new attitude. It’s time to walk on the wild
side. But when she makes a wrong turn and ends up in Bluebird, Texas,
the only man she wants is anything but reckless.
…to
find all you’ve ever wanted.
Ritter
Malone is the town’s favorite son and has the local hero awards to
prove it. Seems he’s always in the right place at the right time.
But when he crosses paths with True, his life takes a turn he never
sees coming. Her songwriting skills may be questionable, but her
ability to turn him inside out is indisputable.
Welcome
to Bluebird, Texas.
Where
a chance meeting gives two people a chance at love.
Excerpt
Once seated on the bench, she ran her fingertips over the keys. Other than the few notes she’d hammered out at Ritter’s, she couldn’t recall the last time she’d played, but figured it was like riding a bike.
Jessie
scooted a chair closer, spun it around and straddled it. “Any time
you’re ready.”
“I
should warn you. Apparently, I’ve had some bad breakups, so my
songs are a bit on the—”
“Sad
side?”
“No.
More on the I’ll-write-a-song-to-get-even-with-you side.”
Jessie
chuckled. “I’m anxious to hear them.”
“Okay,
here we go.”
When True finished
all the verses, Jessie’s face had turned red with laughter. “That’s
pretty cute. Got another one?”
“Depending
on how risqué you’ll allow me to be, here’s one I call, “There
Was Nothing Between Us but Your Penis.”
Jessie
threw his head back, and belly laughed.
She
launched into song.
This
time when she ended the number, he laughed harder. “Girl, you may
be just what this place needs. I’ll try you for a couple of weeks
and see how it goes. If you’re the hit I think you’ll be; we’ll
work out a salary. What night you interested in?”
~~~~
About
Ann
Ann Everett writes about small-town Texas, where the women are sassy enough to say what they want, and the men are panty-melting hot with plenty of southern charm.
She's
an Amazon bestselling author. She's won awards. She’s a top
reviewer on a major writing website and a regular speaker at Wordwyse
Exposytions. No need to bore you with the details. Here are ten
things about her more interesting than accolades.
- She’s
married to her high school sweetheart.
- She
loves shopping at thrift stores.
- She
doesn’t remember her first kiss.
- She
hates talking on the telephone.
- A
really sharp pencil makes her happy.
- She
secretly wants to get a tattoo.
- She
believes everyone should own a pair of cowboy boots.
- She’s
thankful wrinkles aren’t painful.
- She
sucks at math.
3 comments:
Thanks so much for hosting me today.
You're right. If you're a writer you need to do your research. I've learned all kinds of things! Good luck with the new book!
Thanks, Susan. I appreciate you stopping by.
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