Cut to the chase...

Cut to the chase... What does that mean in the true sense of the word! Okay, I know I'm being overly dramatic, but really... Cut to the chase? I was watching a movie when these words stuck with me, more than any of the dialogue, or the tenor of the conversation. I watched, as this young girl waited on pins and needles, wanting her hero to say the words that she dearly wanted to hear. Instead of saying... "Do you love me?" or better yet... "...aren't I good enough for your notice?" Instead, she summed up her emotions, saying these expressionless words... "Cut to the chase..." In the end, yes... She found out what she wanted to know. He liked her, and she liked him, but in the big scheme of things, is this what modern romances have been reduced to? Cut to the chase... I wonder; what would Jane Austin think if she were alive to witness twenty first century romantic indulgences. Her stories were so alive and the romances were like expanding crescendos. It didn't matter that pages and pages were written, saddled with all sorts of oppositions or misunderstandings. In the end, the men and women knew what they wanted, and they made their intentions known. There was no room for misinterpretations. I suppose in a world of text messages, fifteen second films and big brother always watching; we've been reduced to...cut to the chase. Maybe it's me, and I'm out of sync. Perhaps when I write my next romance, my protagonist will insist that I mirror the hordes. Perhaps, I will pen her saying... "Clifford...cut to the chase...and be done with it" On the other hand, maybe snippets like this are what the modern day heroines need. Perhaps I've just stubbled upon the mother-load. Cut to the chase... I think I've discovered my next catch phrase.

The anatomy of suspense

What makes a suspense novel good? Is it the characters, some aspect that portrays them as brave, or is it their witty sardonic commentary; or is it both? Maybe the outline or plot carries most of the weight. Perhaps drafting an intellectual thriller is less about the emotion, and more about the logic that drives the process. Whatever it is, or isn't; I think most would agree that a thrilling read is much like opening a present. Overwhelmingly, people like the surprise because knowing what the gift is beforehand becomes a joke. Pretending that you didn't know ends up looking like an anticlimactic smile, indistinguishable from a letdown. With an explanation like that, I guess one could rightly assume that I'm a big fan of the guessing game. Tell me just enough, giving me tiny hints because the fun in reading a suspense or mystery book, is when the writer gives me the chance to pretend, becoming the sleuth. With no short supply of mystery writers, at any given time there's a murderer on the loose. Some crude brainiac believing themselves wiser than the rest of the world. Not to worry; in the end, these culprits tend to get their comeuppance. If there isn't a drag 'em out shoot out--sniper style weapons, near misses, and thankful investigators, swearing their praises all due to target practice. Whatever the outcome, if weapons aren't in the mix the writer may have some other punishment in mind. Like sticking them under the prison, instead of inside of the prison walls.

True Blood

Is Sookie Stackhouse in for another go round, being used to suit the purposes of others? Is it her destiny to be a pawn, used by Bill Compton, Eric, the King of the Faeries and such? Well...after watching the first episode, I'm inclined to believe that this season promises to be action filled, packed with dramatic plot twist and revelations that ultimately will place Sookie's life at risk, yet again. And what about Jason Stackhouse? What does the universe have in store for him? For the most part, he isn't the same womanizing man that we first came to know, after watching him skirt the law in season one. With Hoyt out of the picture, will he and Jessica pick up where they left off; or will someone from his past (AKA Holly Cleary) step in, turning his head like so many other women from his past. Well, I hope that Jason becomes a better man, being led by the head on his shoulder instead of the one tucked away in his pants. If not, we're sure to root for better outcomes and if that isn't possible; we'll cheer for his shirt's off, bare chest and bottom sexy scenes. TRUE Blood is one intoxicating, can't stop watching kind of paranormal TV shows.

An independent writers outlook, on 'The Joy of Writing'

Why am I doing this? I've asked myself this a thousand times and the response never changes. Through and through, writing is in my bones and if I didn't write, the characters that team in my head would burst forth in one form or another. I wouldn't want to get caught in the grocery store acting out Vampire story-lines. Or worse; I wouldn't want to be caught reciting a love scene that pops in my head. Nope, the straight jacket or a padded room isn't something I strive for; so--I write. Recently, my characters haven't been the typical garden variety folk whose only purpose in life is to live and not cause any trouble. I noticed that my female characters are getting into all sorts of mayhem; lying, cheating--making it up as they go along. This makes them exciting, and flawed in ways that feed my writing Mojo. As I map out the remainder of this year, I'm looking forward to completing a fantasy series, while dishing out juicy plots with twisted outcomes and unimaginable consequences. I've often wondered, of all the books that I've read, which author would I label as my muse. For me, a list of names come to mind--James Patterson, Linda Howard, Richard Morgan, Molly Harper, Jennifer Armintrout--and that's to name a few. You see--I've come to accept, that my writing style is mines; unlike many of the writers I've come to admire and even though I can't choose one to credit as being my muse...I can say that it is their passions as story tellers that feeds my overpowering need to write and create stories. And of course my readers...I must give my readers their due credit, because without them, my source of joy would come from me and me alone.

Untold Lovers, A Sasha Combs Romance

Not much is said when older men date or marry much younger women. These men are labeled silver foxes and mature studs. But let’s turn the tables, matching a slightly older woman with a somewhat younger handsome man; in this instance, the woman is called a cougar, or a cradle robber. In spite of popular opinions, Remi Vincent has decided to ignore the norms when she entangles herself with Dawson Katz; a handsome man, seven years her junior. For her, he is far too tempting to ignore. Circumstances challenge them. Friends are stunned, and surprised. In spite of the world around them, Dawson and Remi take their chances, but will their hopes be enough to sustain them? When faced with the unexpected, will they crumble, or will their love withstand the test. Available, exclusively at Amazon.com Kindle ebook.

MALFEASANT-BOOK II IN THE HARVESTER SERIES

HARVESTER SERIES BOOK I