I prefer what I call grey moments, where an outside influence tears the lovers apart. Let's say a criminal or mentally unstable abductor, or a conniving ex-spouse, or even a health issue. Simply put: external influences.
Sometimes couples realize their goals in life are just too different, their likes too dissimilar or their life-long habits too grating on the other person's nerves. It's a slow realization that this relationship, no matter how much they care for each other or how strong the physical chemistry, just won't work for the long haul. To me, these are blue moments because the couple involved are emotionally suffering over the potential end of their togetherness.
They're not explosive black moments. I've read a zillion of those and I think for God's sake, talk to each other. Be honest. Be sincere. Be mature.
So a well-written argument or situation that drives the two apart has to be strong. For me, instant relationship killers are infidelity, abuse or stealing. But editors want us to shy away from those things. Romance, we're told involves that black moment. And I'm so poor at it. In some stories, it almost flows into place and settles, like the last piece of a puzzle. Unfortunately, I can count those times on three fingers.
Yet, we all know the path of true love is never smooth--or colorless. It's black, grey, blue--or rosy pink. Take book two of my "Wild Heat" series for HarperImpulse. This couple has a lot of big and little things playing against them. They've both been hurt by the things life can throw at you and are afraid to truly love. Yet love charges in the door along with the hero's three rescue dogs.
BUY LINK: http://amzn.com/B00PV4YCXG
12 comments:
A hero with rescue dogs. My kind of guy! You're right, Vonnie. The BBMs that hit you over the head with angst and anger aren't nearly as powerful as those
of more subtle shades that sneak up on us with emotion. Best of luck with your latest!
My sister married a fireman - seven years younger (actually as young as our little brother). When he was out of work I wrote a resume for him (my BS is in human resources) and he obtained a position as a fire inspector from which he retired. I've successfully wrote resume's for about eight people. My gifts are few but effective apparently.
OMG, I love you, Vonnie. I thought I was the only one who didn't do black moments--at least in my suspense books. They just don't work for me. It's always an outside force creating the drama at the end. I'm with you--if your h&h aren't too stupid to live, there shouldn't be a black moment between them. Funny thing is, NO ONE has ever noticed or commented on this lack in my books. So apparently it isn't mandatory!
Thank you, Margo. As writers, we create these people, like them and worry about them. If I do this to the one, what will it do to the other? If they can't handle an argument before they get married, how will they handle them after the rings are on. And believe me, those arguments will happen. So we have to give our characters coping and compromising skills.
Writing a strong, attention grabbing resume takes skill, Rohn. One has to know the current buzz words in business, the lingo management expects and how to present past experiences in the best light. Yay you for being able to do it.
Jannine, I prefer exterior black moments. They show how well the couple will work together in the future to solve problems and cover each other's backs.
Interesting, Vonnie! I've never really examined or even thought about the source of the BBM. I think the couple-induced moment (e.g., betrayal) can be effective, but I think you have to blend it into the story so the reader doesn't feel betrayed as well.
I forget to call them black since they explode like fireworks for me. I try to plan them, but most come out of no-where when I'm writing.
Totally agree with you Vonnie. Some books are so full of angst that I don't bother with those authors. I read to escape and enjoy. I, too, find it hard to whip up black moments and mine are definitely grey with streaks of white, even my suspense ones. Suspense lends itself to enough drama without having the H/h at sixes and sevens is the way I see it.
Love the post, Vonnie! Black moments are tough, but sometimes they come to me before I even start a chapter, and other times I need to pull teeth! lol
Vonnie, I love your posts--even if I'm really late commenting. I love black moments. Those heart-wrenching scenes where you think the h&h will never find their HEA.
I have a hard time with black moments too. It's difficult for me to deliberately be mean ton these two people I've worked so hard to make happy. But, as you said, it's romance. We authors do what we do.
Post a Comment