Anna Alexander

Posted By Anna on January 28, 2010

As I read one of Lora Leigh’s latest novels, Guilty Pleasure, I have a reoccurring thought. What is up with the mid-twenty year old female virgin?

Let me elaborate. I have read dozens of contemporary novels (many of them by Ms. Leigh) where the heroine is still a virgin at twenty-seven and is involved with a hero who has copulated more times than a frog catches flies in the Louisiana bayou. And for some reason, this is supposed to be okay. I’m not saying that a woman shouldn’t wait to have sex, but it’s 2010. The pill has been around for forty-five, fifty years. The people who preached ‘free love’ are grandparents now, it seems that the virgin heroine is a bit outdated.

Not only that, but why are 99.9% of their heroes experienced and sometimes borderline-gigolo lovers? I know that if I was in a heroine’s spiky stilettos and was confronted with a man with a list of previous lovers longer than my hair, I would have to question his ability to connect with me beyond the bedroom, and for a mintue pause and say, eww, I don’t find that attractive.  Of course that is reality, and in fantasy I would brush aside those concerns and formulate a plan to “save him.” Prove to him that by allowing him to be the first, the bond will be stronger. Because that obviously worked with his first.

In the historical novels it is a given that the hero would be more experienced, that was the way things were. But just once I would love to see a widowed heroine who knew what she wanted in the bedroom and was not afraid to show the hero a few tricks. I know that there must have been a couple somewhere in the 1400’s that had  fantastic sex and it did not involve the heroine’s eyes bulging in shock as she had to look away with a blush after her first glance of a naked man.

But as I rant about the innocent/gigolo storylines I come to my real query. Where are the male virgins? Where is the twenty year old male who waited until the ‘right woman’ came along before indulging his carnal needs? Where is the hero who knew the first time he saw our fair heroine that she was the one for him, and did not attempt to move beyond from what could never be by loosing himself between the thighs of another? The modern heroine is supposed to be a strong, intelligent, independant woman who doesn’t need a man to be complete, where is that hero?

Some would say that there isn’t a market for it, I say it would be as refreshing as a glass of chilled reisling. Some would also say “Well where is your virtuous hero?” And I would respond, oh, but I have one.

Yes, Dex is my sweet, hunky, twenty-something year old male virgin. He sits and pines for Astrid as he gathers the courage to ask the lovely shopkeeper out. Unfortunately for Dex I have nine other heroes who are demanding their stories be written first, and as they are part of two series, he will have to be patient. Yes, these heroes are experience, but so are their women.

But fear not my pure, untouched friend, your day will come, and until then I will muddle through the sea of lily white, highly educated(in all areas but male/female physical relations) maidens who beg for the grungy touch of a well muscled, charming hero who couldn’t wait to lose his cherry.

I hear you, why do I keep reading them? The answer to that is I do not know. It wasn’t mentioned on the back cover blurb, because if it was, I would not have picked it up.

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Tags: romance novels, Writing

Posted By Anna on December 29, 2009

Last weekend my family and I went to experience James Cameron’s latest big-budget adventure Avatar. It was everything that critics and movie-goers talked about. A fairly decent movie with bold, never before been seen flashy effects, and an incredibly predictable storyline.

If you haven’t already heard about the plot, Avatar follows the story of Jake Sully, a paraplegic marine who inherits a job on the planet of Pandora from his recently deceased twin brother. Pandora is rich with a mineral that will solve the Earth’s energy crisis. Jake’s job is to pilot an avatar, a biological robot made from a combination of DNA from the driver and the native people, the Na’vi. The avatar allows the humans to spend extended periods of time in the planet’s toxic environment. With his military background Jake’s scientific mission is quickly changed to a recognizance one, where he is to bring back information on the Na’vi that the humans can use to force them to move from their home, where the richest mineral deposits lie. After Jake is separated from his team, he spends the night defending himself against the dangers of the jungle and is found by Neytiri, the Na’vi princess and she…well, I don’t have to tell you the rest. You already know. Seriously, take ten seconds, relax and you will figure out exactly how the story is played out. I could even hand you a list of characters and you could check off who lives and who dies.

After all of the buzz, it becomes readily obvious that one goes to see Avatar for the bagillion dollar special effects, not the story. My sister was actually grateful for the simple story because she became distracted by the visuals and wasn’t concerned about missing any of the plot. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. For me to make an informed decision, I saw the film in both standard and 3-D formats. It wasn’t a hardship. I truly enjoyed the movie, and in my honest opinion it’s just as epic-y in 2-D as in 3-D. The only thing you miss out on is floating embers (which were pretty cool) and in-depth chase scenes that made me a little motion sick. If you want to shell out the extra few dollars, then by all means, definitely see it in 3-D.

So after seeing the movie, my brother, father and I started to brainstorm on ways the story could be elevated from the predictable to a bit more interesting. Here’s what we came up with.

First off, there is no reason, what-so-ever, for Jake to be in a wheelchair. None. Most of the time he is in a fancy MRI machine (a link) and his leaping, jumping, fighting avatar is on the screen. Even when he is in his own body, nothing was occurring that made his inability to walk a disability. But wait, you say, his incentive to spy on the Na’vi was that in exchange, he would receive the surgery that would return the use of his legs. So what? He wasn’t in the avatar because he couldn’t walk, it was because he can’t breathe in the air. If he was able bodied, he could have been offered something else. The bottom line is, with the way this story was told, it was not necessary. 

If you go to the trouble of having him be in a wheelchair, than we say use the wheelchair. What if all of the links were destroyed and Jake could not connect with his avatar body? Then he would be forced to lead the fight from his chair. Would the Na’vi, a race that places value on the warrior ability and spirit, accept him in his imperfect human form? Would Neytiri, the woman he loves, still want him? How would he cope in not being able to jump from tree to tree and connecting with his dragon-like flying counterpart? What if? What if? WHAT IF?

This is just one change, one, that would have taken the conflict from beyond natives versus big business, to a multi-layered story. When faced with Jake’s much smaller, wheelchair bound, oxygen mask wearing body, the Na’vi would have really had to think hard about following him into battle. You could still keep the same, good prevails over all, ending. Even down to the last frame. But the road there would have been a little more adventurous.

And do you know how long it took us to come up with that little tid-bit? All of two minutes. Two! Would it have made for a better story? Who really knows. But maybe if Cameron’s team took a few minutes away from the flying jelly fish and spent that on the script, they could have taken Avatar from being an okay story with spectacular effects, to a truly extraordinary piece of storytelling.

Supposedly there are two sequels that are being considered. Perhaps they’ll make the effort then, because after all, there are only so many versions of plated armor, multi-rows of sharp teeth, snarling, slobbering jungle beasts that you can watch before you go, “meh- seen that already. What else have you got?”

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Tags: Movies, Writing

Posted By Anna on November 13, 2009

A week into the Celtic new year and a month after ECWC I thought it was fitting to post a progress report on my writing.

Submissions have been sent to agents and editors. Golden Heart entry sent out in the mail today. Critique partnership formed (hello Danielle). And my current work in progress is cooking right along.

I am over three-quarters of the way into the rough draft of the second novella in the Sprawling A Ranch series. This one features Mark, the best friend of Trey from The Cowboy Way. Mark was the one who made me think that there could be more beyond the first book. The one who encouraged all of the other hands to demand their stories. And let me tell you, they are a rowdy bunch.

This book is flying onto the page. In other my other works, I sometimes struggled linking scenes together. Not so with Mark. I fluidly move from chapter to chapter. I can sit back and see the entire scene unfold on a movie screen. Each action a logical sequence of events that I can easily transpose to the page. Sometimes not exactly how I pictured it, but fairly close, and not nearly as quicklyas I’d like. I’ve gone back to thinking that a direct link to my brain may be the way to go.

Is the reason the story is coming to me so easily  because my writing is getting better, or because this is a story that writes itself? Ever since I realized a few months ago that I was a layer, I find myself not worried about getting it right the first time. I am much more lenient on myself about just getting the concept down, knowing that it will work out in later drafts. When I went back to edit the first few chapters, I could better identify what was missing and add the actions and reactions. This process has made writing so enjoyable that I ache to do it every free moment I get.

It is also making me even more anxious to sell the series. It would kill me not to be able to share the other ranch hand’s stories. Even now, Ben is waiting in the wings. Incredibly tall and built like a mountain, he watches me with those intense green eyes, vibrating that dominate nature he can’t contain. Colby is right by his side with a smile of anticipation. You already know what is going to happen with them. They want their stories told and I am dying to write them.

Okay, I can admit it. Even if they are never published, I will still have to write them all. They have become too dear to me to not give them life on the page. How can I not share Jack’s wickedness, Adam’s fearlessness and Rafe’s passion? They will be written. Someday. Now this is where I click my heels three times and send my positive thoughts out into the air.

They will be sold, they will be sold, they will be sold…

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Posted By Anna on October 16, 2009

It has taken me almost a week to post about my conference experience because I am still recuperating. I had about five hours total sleep the entire weekend, and I actually received requests for my work! I have been working feverishly the last few days on going back over my WIPs with post- conference eyes. They have now been submitted into webspace with a hope and a prayer that they are accepted.

So, did I meet any of my goals?

I did not sell a novel, but I did get a request to submit pages.  

You will never meet a more supportive group of people anywhere. I threw myself into volunteering and everyone worked so hard to make me feel welcome. There were so many surprising and memorable moments. Including receiving my boa for reaching PRO status, and running into an old friend from high school I haven’t seen in x-amount of years. Kirin, that reminds me, I have a tax question for you. The stack of autograph books I collected is fantastic. My first taste of Johnny Walker Blue . Goodie bags. Need I say more? There was so much learning that I am still processing it all.

I am considered an embryo in the writing world. When I look back at my writing over the last eight months, there is a world of difference, and that is all because of the great women (and the Bobs) with the GSRWA. There are too many days until next year. I can’t wait. So look for me then, but without the purple boa. Feathers stuck in your lipgloss is not very comfortable.

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Tags: Writing

Posted By Anna on October 1, 2009

Next Friday I am attending my first ever writer’s conference,and I am starting to get the jitters. This is my first real opportunity to mingle with not only other authors, but agents and editors from some of the best companies in the business. To say that I am intimidated would be a severe understatement.

As I write this I am putting the polishing touches on both my paranormal and my cowboy stories. My goal was to have both ready to go by conference time and the fact I completed it is tremendous. I know that I can meet a deadline, even if it is one of my own choosing, without pulling my hair out, or staying up all hours to do so. With this goal achieved, I am making new ones about my expectations for this conference.

• Sell novel to agent and/or publisher. (Lofty goal I know, but I will shoot for the moon)
• Make at least five new friends.
• Introduce myself to at least fifteen people I have never met.
• Stay awake for every class and all post class events.
• No matter what, know in my heart that my writing is good. Even if I feel like crap after a class, my writing is still good.

My aunt will be attending with me. She has been dabbling as a writer for years, but only kept it at that. When I launched myself into this art form, she said I inspired her to pick up her pencil and give it another go. This conference is an even bigger leap for her to take than me. She has always supported me in everything I’ve done, and I’m glad that I can return that love back. We can both be there together to encourage and commiserate, just like family should.

So, Aiden and Trey, I hope you’re ready to smile pretty and flex those abs, and let’s go get mama a new pair of shoes. Choos preferrably.

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Posted By Anna on September 13, 2009

 During the month of September, I am taking an online class offered through WriterU by Mary Buckham on creating and maintaining sexual tension . The object of the course is to understand the different levels of intimacy and use them to turn up or down the tension to enhance your novel. This knowledge can be used not only used by romance novelists, but any writer in practically any genre. Already, I can tell my writing has made a huge leap toward the good.

One of the assignments this week was to watch a movie, television show, or people watch, and note the levels of awareness people displayed based on body language, expression and tone of voice. How fortuitous that this coincided with wine and cheese night with my girlfriends.

Everyone was aware of the class I am taking, so when we started watching movies, we would call out the various steps of intimacy being displayed. One of the movies we watched was Yes Man with Jim Carrey. Not really a movie you would think would work for this type of project, and actually it wasn’t. However, there was a scene where the hero, Carl, is asked by the elderly lady next door to help hang some shelves. During the scene she is looking him in the eye (level 2), and invading his personal space (level 5). Since I knew that Carl was compelled to say yes to everything, when I saw her touch his hair (level 8), I was already curling into a ball and chanting “please don’t go there, please don’t go there.” When the inevitable happened, my friend asked, “How did you know that was going to happen?” I saw the signs, that’s why.

Now, one of my friends has found herself in a situation where her current object of desire is sending mixed signals. Saying let’s be friends, but sending and allowing more intimate signals. So we pulled out the list and checked to see if she had noticed any of the subtle, nonverbal clues that this other person may have been telegraphing. The next time she went out with them “just as friends,” she was going to be more aware of their gestures and reactions, which led to this discussion:

You are now aware of possible clues that can alert you to when someone may be into you. What if they also know those signs and can manipulate them for their own gain? Or what if they don’t know what they are doing and become defensive when you call them on it? (Yes, we also watched He Is Just Not That Into You) Would you manipulate someone by sending out signals that they would subconsciously respond to?

It is so confusing. Trying to apply these nuances to everyday life could lead to happily ever after, or a horrendous train wreck.

I guess that is what makes life so exciting.

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Tags: Writing

Posted By Anna on September 2, 2009

Last September I was fortunate enough to get the chance to explore the belt of Scotland. As you might have gleaned from previous postings, I love Scotland. The music, the food, the architecture; it is my warm fuzzy blanket.

While I was there, I notated random observations in my travel journal. This is a special journal that is small enough to tuck into my purse, and large enough to doodle sketches of the scenery as I wait in line for various activities. It is special because it is only used on adventures. I have several journals for various purposes, hence why it is called the ‘travel journal’.

So, on the eve of the first anniversary of my trip, I thought I would share some of these observations. Keep them in mind the next to you travel to anywhere. They may come in handy.

1. Brush up on the cuisine of the area you are visiting. I was having lunch at Deacon Brodie’s and a group of American women sat next to me. The menu was fried, with a fried potato product on the side. Not too difficult, yet these women seemed to have difficulty understanding what “pub food” meant. How did I know they were American? They were so loud that everyone knew that they were on Atkins.
2. Speaking of fried…every restaurant I went to had the best french fries. Don’t know if it’s the potatoes or the oil, but they are excellent.
3. Parts Edinburgh are thousands of years old. The Royal Mile and Old Town itself span 600 to 700 years old. Much of that is unchanged. Including paved roads. Why oh why would you go tottering around in four-inch stilettos? I saw a woman on a ghost tour catch her heel in the cobblestones. The resulting fall lead to a broken ankle, torn jeans, and a very red face. You don’t look so cute when you’re sprawled out on the pavement.
4. Why do secret service men wear suites? I know, this digresses a bit, but lets think about it. A hotel was bombed in Rwanda and the footage showed secret service men running around in suits, their neck ties flapping in their faces. I would think that a tie would be distracting, or used against them in hand to hand combat. I would understand if they wore something more fitting to defensive maneuvers.
5. A Scotsman doing a Sean Connery impersonation. Funny.
6. If asked if you would like your meat pie or sausage roll warmed up, just say no. The inside is molten lava hot every time.
7. Several times I saw women wearing a halter top with a bra. Visible bra straps? Who lied to you and told you that you looked good?
8. What exactly is brown sauce?
9. Remember the your camera has a video function prior to the middle of your vacation.
10. Upper Crust still has the best baguette sandwiches ever.
11. Most importantly, enjoy yourself! Don’t be afraid to try new things. If I had been to timid to travel around the world by myself, I would have missed out on this amazing scenery, and that would have just been sad.

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Tags: Scotland

Posted By Anna on August 22, 2009

I had entered my Scottish ghost story in the Heart of the West contest sponsored by the Utah/Salt Lake RWA. I did not final, however the responses were not that bad.

This is the first response I have received about my writing and I was apprehensive about what would be said. I have heard many horror stories about contest critques that were contradictory, non-imformative, and down-right insulting.

Across the board it seems that my characters were likable, and I have great visualization. Negatives were my use of commas, which I have been working on, but I do not think I will ever understand, and that Vanessa seemed to need more meat to her. This was not that surprising, because I recently did a character work up for Vanessa and Aiden, and I noticed the same thing about her. So at least now I know I am on the right path when I go to edit some more.

There was one judge  that was not very helpful. The entire critque was twenty words long. The “what needs work” section was boiled down to three words: Hook is weak.

Great. What does that mean exactly? This is from a published romance author. You would think that they would be a little more forth coming. Maybe it is a conspiracy, and my work was so good that they are trying to be unhelpful so that I don’t sell. Yeah. That’s it. (please know that I am joking here. mostly)

My favorite response (naturally) was from the judge that said ” I get the same feeling reading reading your manuscript, as I do when I read a Maeve Binchy novel- it feels like sitting in a garden with a good friend and a cup of tea.”

I almost fell out of my chair when I read this. You go along and hope that your work resonates with someone. This one comment made all of the late nights, and worrying if I am wasting my time, worth while. It’s so gratifing that someone, not blood related to me, understands and enjoys my work.

Now I just have to remember that when I get the critques back that say I should never write again. Let’s hope that never happens.

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Posted By Anna on August 17, 2009

It took me up into my lunch break at work, but the rough draft of my cowboy story is done. Finishing a manuscript is about as difficult as it is to start one. In the beginning you work hard to make your characters interesting enough to want to get to know them, and now I am saying goodbye and sending them away to their HEA. It is a big responsibility to get it right. To make a reader feel like it was worth their time. I think that is why it took me so long.

 I kept trying to make Trey and Greta do things that they didn’t want to do (like have a long conversation). It didn’t feel right or natural. These are people with a long history together. They resolved their differences and just want to be happy. A long speech wasn’t going to add anymore to that. All they wanted to do was cuddle, and that also isn’t too exciting. Finding the balance was what took me so long to figure out.

There was a departure involved I didn’t see coming until I put it on the page. That is what is fascinating about writing. Here was a character doing something I didn’t want him to do, but he wouldn’t listen. He’s my creation, right? How come I cannot control him?  I guess that is when you know you are on the right track. When you characters create their own reality and just show it to you. You are telling their story, not your version of it.

So now I am at the exciting part. Rough drafts are painful for me. I am much better at tweaking. I will read my story about eight or nine times in the next two to three weeks, and each time it will be different. New surprises will pop up, one of the ranch hands is going to get pushy and want more page time (it’s already starting), or I’ll learn something new about them that starts a whole different story. Polishing my work is when I laugh at myself hysterically. This is where I can’t believe I created a world and these people sprung from my head. Now, whether it is any good, or people will like it, or, more importantly buy it, is a whole other matter. But it’s my world. And for this brief moment in time, it’s all mine.

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Posted By Anna on August 16, 2009

Here it is, 2pm in the afternoon and I have spent almost all of my day answering emails and checking up with friends on Facebook. What should I be doing instead? I am this close (imagine thumb and first finger an inch apart) from finishing the rough draft of my cowboy story. I am at the climax, so near the end, and I can’t get my mind to focus.

So I am issuing a challenge to myself,  see I am doing it publically to add that sense of urgency. I will lock myself away and not come out until it is finished. Since I have to work tomorrow, this means it will have to be done today. Completing two rough drafts was my summer goal, and with only a few weeks until the next writer’s meeting, I want to say “Yes, I did it!”

I’ll keep you posted on the outcome.

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Tags: Writing