Smart Girls Read Romance -- so do the bestselling and award-winning Authors who write this blog.
Join them as they dish about Books, Romance, Love, and Life.






Thursday, April 10, 2014

HELP! I'M STUCK IN THE MIDDLE

Readers, please welcome our newest blogger, author Kathy Shaw. Kathy writes funny, sexy romantic comedy.

HELP! I'M STUCK IN THE MIDDLE
By Kathy Shaw

            Probably the second most asked question I get (behind where do you come up with your ideas?) is: What’s the hardest part of the book to write?
            Hands down, it’s the middle.
            I’m not sure if it’s the adrenaline of starting a new project or getting to amuse myself by writing two people’s highly-volatile emotional dislike of each other, but I love to write the first third of the book. Yes, not all romances start with the hero and/or heroine in-hate with each other. There are stories of friends falling in love or non-combative competitors falling in love or maybe a dozen other scenarios where emotional aversion is not the jumping off point. But not in my books. Where’s the fun in that?
            And then, there’s the last third of the book. This is the section where they know they love the other (although they probably haven’t admitted it yet) but there is too much “stuff" between them to over-come. I could go on, but that’s for another blog.
            So let’s get down to business. The Middle!
            Or more importantly “being stuck in the middle.”
            This is where the hero and heroine fall in love. But what makes them fall in love? What makes them fall off the deep end?
            Well, heck if I know!
            Over the years, friends and family have shared their stories about how they fell in love. The sagas all go about the same way.
            The couples meet. This is where I always get a lot of endearing details. (First third of book)
            Then, they say, “We fell in love,” and sigh. Just that one line—no details, no particulars, no how-to-pamphlets. Nada! This is where I want to tear my hair out. (The dreaded middle)
            Next, they wax on about their happily-ever-after or lack there of. Yea, we’re back on the research trek. (Last third of book) Remember, I’m saving my creative anxiety concerning a book’s ending for a future blog.
            So, here’s what I’m hoping will happen. Share with me how you fell in love or how/when you realized you were in love. Please, please! Because…

HELP! I’M STUCK IN THE MIDDLE!

12 comments:

  1. Kathy, welcome to the Smart Girls Read Romance blog! I'm so excited that you've joined us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. I'm very excited to be a part of such a great group of writers.

      Delete
  2. Hi, Kathy!

    So excited to have you on board! Great post. The moment I realized I was in love... hmmm. I can't even think back that far. But every time I see my husband go out of his way to help someone else or put someone's needs before his own, I fall head over heels in love with him all over again. Something he's done ever since I've known him!

    Happy writing!
    Kimmie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh! I love that. I'm making a list and your hubby just made my top five. Thanks for the input!

      Delete
  3. Wow! I met my husband but refused to date him. After three months of him calling and asking me out every single, I relented and we went out to dinner. We dated off and on and he kept asking me to marry him. I kept saying no. Then he asked me to make a trip with him. I thought, "If we can spend a week together 24/7 and still get along, we might have a chance.". Needless to say, on the way home from that trip, he asked me again and I said yes. 23 years we are still together and happy and comfortable with each other.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ahhh! What a great story. Sounds like he fell in love long before you. Stubborn perseverance would make a great storyline. Thank you for sharing your story.

    Man, am I racking up the ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Welcome Kathy! I tend to find the beginning the hardest part for me. It's blending the setting, research, and characters together to start the journey that takes me the longest. Once I hit the third point then the rest of the book flies for me. It's amazing how each writer has their own unique quirks, likes, and dislikes in the writing process.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's interesting. If I struggled with the first third of a new book as much as I do the middle, I'd wouldn't be a writer. ;-) Thank goodness I've formed a connection with my characters before I hit the brick wall. I want them to live happily ever after, so I push through the rough spots.

      Thanks for reminding me of our individuality.

      Delete
  6. I guess I didn't answer your question. I don't know for sure when I fell in love, but my husband and I had been dating for a couple weeks when he had to go out of town and said he'd call when he got back in a week. Over a week went by and he hadn't called and I thought the world had come to an end. I picked up the phone(at a friends urging) and called his house. He still lived at home but had his own trucking company. Why he lived at home, he was rarely there. His mom informed me he'd been back several days. I was devastated to think he hadn't contacted me. And just when I'd talked myself in to believing he didn't mean anything he showed up at my door to take me to a dinner and a movie. After that we never said the "I love you" but started talking about a future together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And we celebrate our 35th anniversary next month.

      Delete
    2. Ahh! I could almost feel your pain while I read your story. I had a couple of those relationships in my youth, but those guys didn't redeem themselves like your hubby did.

      Sounds like you bring out the best in him. He's a lucky man. Congrats on your upcoming anniversary. Thanks for sharing!

      Delete
  7. Ah, yes, the Muddle of the book, uh, that is, the Middle of the book. *g* Actually, the first draft of the middle of any book I'm writing is usually a muddle. I write and write and write until I eventually figure out what I'm trying to say. {sigh} I know there must be a better way, but so far, that seems to be par for the course through 2 dozen books I've written. I feel your pain! But hang in there, and the middle will finally sort itself out.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for commenting on Smart Girls Read Romance. We love readers and love their comments. We apologize that due to a few unethical spammers we've had to institute comment moderation. Please be patient with us... we DO want your genuine comments!