I love a good writing workshop, no question about it.  I discovered the RWA workshops-on-tape back when they really were on tape and have enjoyed a lot of lightbulb moments listening and learning.  Some workshops will forever stand out in my head and heart for the impact they had on my life, starting with Debbie Macomber’s words on setting goals:  “You have two hours in your day to write – find them!” Those hours happen to be hiding in the darkest corner of pre-dawn, but once I discovered them, I got my first book written.

Robin Perrini and Laura Baker’s fabulous daylong seminar on Discovering Story Magic exposed me to my first plotting board and the concept of a turning point at the end of every few chapters.  I left that workshop and created the plotting board for the book that became Tropical Getaway, my debut novel.

Deb Dixon spoonfed me the concept of Goal, Motivation, and Conflict and I gobbled it up;  Jennifer Cruise hammered down the idea of plot points as “tent poles” and I learned how to support my story; Joan Johnston taught me the power of saying no during negotiations (still working on that one, Joan!); and Judith Ivory opened up her writer’s toolkit and handed out some unforgettable tricks of the writer’s trade.

If the measure of good workshop is to make you want to go home, tear up your work in progress, gnash your teeth because you still have so much to learn, vow to improve, and then go buy the entire backlist of the presenter…then Brenda Novak’s presentation on emotion given to the Space CoasT Authors of Romance (STAR) this weekend was a rousing success.

A New York Times bestselling author of spine-tingling romantic suspense, I have no doubt Brenda Novak is an author the MSW community knows well.  For the past few years, she’s delighted readers and dominated contests with thrilling tales of danger and love at the mind-boggling rate of three per year, and all the while has made a huge and positive difference in the lives of many with the amazing online auction she runs to raise money for juvenile diabetes.  She’s cracked well over $1 million in that effort, and also has helped numerous writers find agents, meet editors, and win fabulous prizes.

Brenda traveled three thousand miles to speak to my RWA home chapter and I cannot thank her enough for making the trip.  I also want to give a huge hug of gratitude to my awesome chapter for sponsoring the event and most especially dear friend Leigh Duncan for taking and sharing magnificent notes.  I tried to jot things down, but, honestly, all I did was sit slack-jawed, nodding like a fool, drinking in Brenda’s energy, wisdom, and enthusiasm on the subject of infusing emotion into writing.

Emotion is the difference between the book that leaves us drained and changed versus the one that, well, just leaves us. Emotion, Brenda reminded us at the start of her workshop, isn’t something an author can layer in during last pass of revisions.  And, she told us, emotion is directly related to the amount of “investment” a reader makes in the story and characters.  The author’s job is to use every tool at her disposal to get the reader to “participate” in the story and become emotionally involved.

The fact is, a reader may not remember the particulars of a story, the name or a character, the setting, the secondaries, or even the real identity of the bad guy.  But she will remember how a book made her feel.  She will remember if she cried, sighed, laughed, squirmed, cringed, gasped, or screamed at the book because she was so completely invested in every scene and every page.  We want to write and read those books…and Brenda had some brilliant insights and suggestions for how an author can accomplish that kind of memorable writing.

I won’t attempt to recap the entire workshop, but will share some of the key points that really resonated with me.  Brenda highlighted the concept of “active” writing, which includes starting in the present and moving forward in real time; specific illustrations not generalizations; showing, not telling.  She reminded us to convey information in the most physical way possible, and described a writer’s options for making an emotional point as a pyramid:  at the bottom is direct thought/internal dialogue; in the middle is giving information to the reader through dialogue; at the apex is action, metaphor, subtext and deep POV.

Of all the techniques she described and detailed, the idea of subtext intrigued me the most.  Through layered dialogue, subtle body clues, having a character say one thing but mean another, or through powerful understatement, subtext can really amp up the emotional impact.  In addition, Brenda walked us through multiple backstory delivery techniques (none of which included a “dump”), numerous ways to use characterization to create an emotion (most notably the “flip trait” – for every negative character trait, there is a way for it to be positive, or vice versa), and the use of point of view to deepen and texturize emotion.

Brenda spoke for two riveting hours, sharing multiple examples from her own work and others to drive home her points, making us laugh, sigh, cheer, and quit writing because we’ll never be that good!  She ended with an in-depth discussion of conflict, encouraging us to change and escalate the conflict, make the stakes as high as possible, and (this one really rang true to me) don’t forget conflict for the secondary characters to keep them three-dimensional.

I cannot do justice to this workshop in a blog; suffice it to say, I was impressed and inspired. Writers, call Brenda and get her to your chapter to speak, stat.  You’ll be glad you did. Readers, run don’t walk and pick up one of Brenda’s award-winning bestsellers. In fact, In Close hits bookstores today!  I was one of the lucky winners to snag last month’s release, Inside, and Brenda kindly signed a copy for me to give away today!

If you’d like to win an autographed copy of Inside, leave a comment and let us know the last book you read that really moved you to an emotion — fear, heartache, joy, misery, worry, or, of course, love.  And don’t forget to check out the awesome auction Brenda runs every May on her website – the MSW gang is always well represented!

One of the most common questions writers get asked is where they come up with their ideas. I’ve seen some brilliant answers to this question but I don’t have one. The spark of every story is different and I rarely remember what it was. For Seven Years to Sin the story came to me with one scene–a young woman standing in the moonlight who is mortified to stumble upon a young man who’s fascinated her in flagrante delicto.

From that one brief flash in my mind, the entire story of Seven Years to Sin grew. There was no way for me to know at the time that the story would touch upon parental and spousal abuse or that it would turn out to be so lengthy. (It’s the longest historical I’ve written to date.)

The characters unfolded in their own way as I wrote. Jessica was so rigidly contained, which hid how vulnerable she was. Alistair was a scapegrace who courted scandal even though what he really needed was acceptance and not just anyone’s acceptance–he needed Jessica’s, a woman he felt he was unworthy of (yet he was certain he could make happy, regardless). I didn’t truly understand these hidden facets of the characters when I started; I discovered the depths of them as they revealed them to each other.

What I admired most about Alistair was the way he approached the courting of Jessica. He cut himself open and let all the skeletons out. Every mistake he’d made, every transgression, every sin… he wanted her to know it all and–hopefully–accept him anyway. He didn’t run and he didn’t hide, because he needed her love and he wanted it to be given to him with her eyes wide open. Every time he blurted out another black mark on his past, I’d wonder what the hell he was doing. I know that probably sounds crazy, but that’s how my writing process works for me. I watch the movie unfolding in my mind and hope my fingers can keep up. My characters frequently argue with me, refuse to take a direction I planned on, and generally make mischief. Man… I love my job.

Jessica is confused at first by Alistair’s pursuit. Why would a man who wants her, go out of his way to paint himself in the most unflattering light? But she admires that about him, because her world is smoke and mirrors. What people see of her life and her from the outside bears little resemblance to the truth. She was trained to be that way and has to learn, through Alistair, who she really is underneath her social guise. When she reaches a turning point in her life where she needs to choose between who she’s always been and who she is with Alistair, I could see why he loved her so much. Yes, I knew they were perfect for each other when I started the book, but it was through the process of writing it that I saw why.

The way Alistair and Jessica unfold for each other was a remarkable trip for me to take as the writer. I was eager to return to the manuscript when I was away from it and I was sorry when I reached the end. I’m very proud of Seven Years to Sin and I’m thrilled it’s releasing tomorrow. I hope readers enjoy their time with the story as much as I did. I’ve been waiting ten months for readers to be able to weigh in. I’m excited the day is almost here. It’ll be just a little more poignant than my usual new release day.

To celebrate, I’ll give away an autographed copy of Pride and Pleasure to one randomly selected commenter. Happy Monday!

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• Be sure and check out our new releases post below this one. There are some sizzling September releases you won’t want to miss!

It’s a busy month for Murder She Writes releases! Here’s what you can look forward to finding at your favorite bookstore or e-tailer:

AUGUST 30th! ~ Trade Paperback Original

The longer the resistance…

Seven years ago, on the eve of her wedding, proper Lady Jessica Sheffield witnessed a licentious scene no innocent young miss could imagine. Shocked, yet strangely titillated, she’d held her silence regarding scandalous Alistair Caulfield, and walked down the aisle as expected. But through years of serene, unremarkable marriage, Caulfield’s image remained burned into her imagination, fueling very illicit dreams…

…the sweeter the reward

Alistair ran far from the temptation of the prim debutante with the fire of passion in her eyes–all the way to the West Indies. As a successful merchant, he has little in common with the rakehell youth she knew. But when newly widowed Jessica steps aboard his ship for a transatlantic passage, seven years’ worth of denied pleasures are held in check by nothing more than a few layers of silk–and the certainty that surrender will consume them both…

AUGUST 30th! ~ Mass Market Original

SOPHIE BARRETT THINKS SHE’S LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. SHE MAY BE DEAD WRONG.

On a sweltering summer afternoon, Sophie Barrett walks into a nightmare. A sniper has opened fire on a college campus. When the carnage is over, three people—plus the shooter—are dead and dozens more are injured. Sophie escapes virtually unscathed. Yet as details emerge from the investigation, she becomes convinced that this wasn’t the random, senseless act it appeared to be. No one wants to believe her—not the cops, not her colleagues at the Delphi Center crime lab, and definitely not Jonah Macon, the homicide detective who’s already saved her life once.

Jonah has all kinds of reasons for hoping Sophie is mistaken. Involving himself with a key witness could derail an already messy investigation, not to mention jeopardize his career. But Sophie is as determined and fearless as she is sexy. If he can’t resist her, he can at least swear to protect her. Because if Sophie is right, she’s made herself the target of a killer without a conscience. And the real terror is only just beginning…

AUGUST 30th! ~ Mass Market Original

Lovers from opposite worlds reunite in Karin Harlow’s explosive, erotic new L.O.S.T. adventure…

While tracking a hijacked cask of enriched uranium in Kyrgyzstan, L.O.S.T. operative Nikko Cruz is ambushed and left for dead. Which means he must be hallucinating when the only woman he ever loved—the woman he was sentenced to death for killing—comes to his rescue. Half-daemon Selena Guererro has secrets she’d kill for. The most important one, she’s already died to protect. Now she’ll do anything to keep her daughter safe. But she can’t just leave her lost love to perish. She injects Nikko with immortal blood serum, putting herself in grave danger.

When Nikko comes to, he is superhuman and super pissed. The mother of his daughter—the one he thought killed their child—is alive. He wants answers. He wants blood. And despite his best intentions, he wants Selena. He traces her to a mysterious terrorist cell where the cask has surfaced. First, he must retrieve the deadly material. Then he’ll take revenge on his beautiful ex. But when nothing goes as planned, Nikko and Selena find themselves burning with desire . . . and blowing the roof off their separate worlds, human and daemon alike.

SEPTEMBER 9th! ~ Trade Paperback

Good girls can play rough too…

Jessie McKay has accepted her marriage to Luke McKay wasn’t perfect. After two years of widowhood, she’s ready to kick up her bootheels—until Luke’s younger brother shows up to spoil her fun. But if Brandt thinks she’ll ever take orders from another McKay male, he’s got manure for brains.

Brandt McKay has avoided his sweet, sexy sister-in-law ever since the night he confessed his feelings for her weren’t the brotherly type. Unexpectedly faced with proof of Luke’s infidelity, Brandt is forced to ask for Jessie’s help in taking care of Luke’s young son. Jessie agrees on one condition—she wants Brandt’s boots exclusively under her bed for the duration.

The sexual heat that’s always simmered between them ignites. Brandt is determined to make the temporary situation permanent, proving to Jessie he’s a one-woman man. And Jessie is shaken by feelings she’s sworn never to have again for any man…especially not a McKay.

SEPTEMBER 13th! ~ Trade Paperback Reissue

There isn’t much worth living for in Gypsum, Missouri, or “Trashtown,” as the rich kids call the run down neighborhood where sixteen-year-old Hailey Tarbell lives. As far as Hailey knows, she’s never going to belong. Not with the kids at school or with her cruel, sickly grandmother, who keeps their household afloat by dealing drugs out of the basement.

But Hailey can’t help the feeling that she has some kind of gift, or curse, that makes the other kids shy away from her. Hailey is drawn to those in pain, those who need to be healed. And when her dog Rascal is hit by a car, Hailey’s gift is revealed. Not only can she heal, she can bring the suffering back to life. And Hailey will soon find out, this power to heal is just the beginning…

SEPTEMBER 6TH! ~ Mass Market Reissue

Three men without boundaries, hell-bent on satisfying their deepest desires—and those of the women who drive them wild…

Redeeming The Wizard by Jennifer Lyon

Gage Remington was once a powerful wizard; now he’s a recluse who keeps the world at bay. But when Mira Tate arrives at Gage’s door, she stirs in him an attraction he can’t deny. Soon, Gage will risk everything to keep Mira close—even the secret that may be his ruin…

Enjoy!

Here are this week’s prize winners on Murder She Writes. Thanks for stopping by, everyone. We wish you all a safe week ahead, especially if you live in the path of Hurricane Irene.

The winner of a signed copy of Lori Armstrong’s NO MERCY is Crystal H. Please email info@loriarmstrong.com with your info and she will send your prize.

The winner of Deb’s prize, an online gift card,  is Jan Snyder. Please email DebraEWebb@aol.com and she will get you the details to claim your prize.

The winner of the signed copy of BLOOD MAGIC and SOUL MAGIC by Jennifer Lyon is LISA B! Congrats Lisa! Please email Jen at Jenapodaca@aol.com with your mailing address and she’ll get the books out to you soon.

The winner of Laura Griffin’s new book SNAPPED, plus a $15 giftcard to Starbucks, is Laura Kay. Please contact laura@lauragriffin.com with a mailing address, and she will send your prize.

Congratulations winners!

Many families make New Year’s resolutions, but in our house the New (School) Year’s resolution is king.

I don’t know what it is about this time of year, but I feel the irrisistible urge to rush out and buy a Big Chief tablet and a box of freshly sharpened No. 2 pencils. I feel like getting organized! Time to capture some of this energy and get a few things done around here.

In order to avoid the hordes of tax-free-weekend bargain hunters, we steered clear of the mall last weekend. We congratulated ourselves on getting our shopping done ahead of time. (Although, truth be told, we didn’t do a whole lot of back-to-school shopping. Our recent run of 105-degree temps haven’t put me in the mood to buy fall jackets and turtlenecks.) Instead of shopping, we cleaned out a few closets and enjoyed the last few days of summer, lazing around the neighborhood pool and drinking beer with friends.

But now that school has officially started, I’ve been making a concerted effort to get organized. I’ve got lists, resolutions, little personal promises I’ve made to myself about hopping out of bed right when the alarm rings and not pressing snooze.

Resolutions have a way of falling by the wayside as time drags on. Old habits die hard and all that. So I’ve learned to keep it simple if I want to have any hope of following through. Here are my three New (School) Year’s resolutions:

1) Have more family dinners. Even if it’s only tacos or mac-n-cheese, I’m going to make an effort to get the family around the table more frequently.

2) Listen to people. I realized the other day just how frequently I’ll be in the midst of a conversation with someone and thinking about something else. Do you do this? I could blame it on multi-tasking, too many balls in the air, etc… but really, it’s just plain inconsiderate and I’m going to try not to do it anymore.

3) Put the work away. I’ve talked to so many people this week who said things like, “I can’t believe she’s already in middle school.” Or, “Can you believe he’s a freshman already? Next year he’ll be driving!” So many of the parents I know are constantly talking about how fast it all goes by, and then the kids are out of the nest. This year I want to keep my weekends reserved for family time, so that I can soak up those moments.

Do you have any New (School) Year’s resolutions? Even if you’re not tied to the school calendar, it’s a great time to re-set priorities!

Leave a comment for a chance to win a $15 giftcard to Starbucks (go treat yourselt to a coffee break!) and a signed copy of my new book, SNAPPED. The UPS guy delivered my author copies this week and I’m so excited about this upcoming release!