Release Day Party for Only Pleasure Will Do!

Posted on August 31, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

AT LONG LAST!!

Only Pleasure Will Do, the final book of the House of Pleasure series, releases today!

Available on Amazon and Smashwords for $2.99.

I started writing Only Scandal Will Do, the first book of the series, in Fall of 2009 after reading a romance novel by Mary Balogh called The Secret Pearl. I got the germ of the idea for my book from that book (although the two books are totally different) and the idea for Scandal (originally titled The Marquess Makes A Mistake) so consumed me that I put aside the novel I’d started writing and had to write Scandal instead because the main characters would not give me any peace until I did.

When Scandal got picked up, originally by Lyrical Press, my fabulous editor, Mary Murray asked me to remove an early chapter in the book. The chapter followed a minor character, a Bow Street Runner who was investigating his cousin’s kidnapping and goes to a notorious brothel to see if he can obtain information from the madam. My editor said that that was the only chapter that was not in either the hero or heroine’s POV and it really didn’t do very much to forward the story, so I should cut it, but keep it and maybe use it somewhere else another time.

Now, this summer, that chapter became A Matter of Pleasure, the prologue and first chapter of Only Pleasure Will Do. At long last, after eleven years, Reginald Matthews and Amorina Vestry get to have their story told and I couldn’t be happier about how that story turned out. Over the years I’ve been thinking about what I wanted to do with these two characters and as I worked on plotting out their story I tried to make a lot of things come full circle from the first to last book of the series. If you recently read Only Scandal Will Do, I hope you catch some of these little deja vu moments in Only Pleasure Will Do. I had a lot of fun crafting them in.

To day is a day of celebration, and so in the spirit of a party, I’m having a couple of giveaways. The first is a complete set of the House of Pleasure e-books (not all are in print yet) plus a swag pack and the second is an Amazon gift card for $20.00 plus swag pack. All you need to do is enter the Rafflecopter giveaway here and you’ll have as many chances to win as you enter.

As promised, I have the winner of the Only Marriage Will Do Giveaway from this past week. That winner of an e-copy of Only Marriage Will Do, a swag pack, and a $5.00 Starbucks gift card is

AMY DONAHUE

Congratulations, Amy! I’ll be contacting you later today for some information.

 

Everyone, please tell your friends who like steamy historical romances that this is the series and the book for them! And here are the details and an excerpt from Only Pleasure Will Do:

BLURB:

The pleasure is all hers…

Amorina Vestry, madam of the House of Pleasure for six long years, has wrested a living out the establishment by devising a variety of ways to give men pleasure. But behind the persona of the ruthless businesswoman, schooled in the erotic arts, lurks another woman with a secret she dares tell no one. Now, in vengeance for thwarting a dastardly plan, Amorina is kidnapped and forced to commit murder to save the one person she loves unconditionally…unless the man she secretly yearns for can rescue her before it’s too late.

When Amorina Vestry goes missing, Sir Reginald Matthews, former Runner now magistrate at Bow Street, agrees to search for the very provocative woman he met a year ago and cannot seem to forget. He manages to track her down, only to be captured by the same madman who took her. Their close proximity in a make-shift prison leads inexorably to a night of passion in which Amorina lowers her guard to reveal a shocking truth. Spurred by his growing attraction to her, Reginald is determined to free them before she commits the most heinous crime imaginable.

As Reginald races to save Amorina, he comes to fear another foe as well. He may very well save his love only to find he must give her up or risk the censure of a society that will condemn her.

EXCERPT:

The unexpected touch of his lips sent a firestorm of heat coursing through Amorina, as if his mouth were a torch set to a line of black powder that sizzled directly to her core. It had been such a long time since any man had touched her so strongly, so deeply. The shock that such feelings still existed within her almost made her pull back from him. Almost. At some basic level, though, she understood that if she did so, Sir Reginald would believe it a rejection of him, and she’d lose any chance of even a fleeting moment of passion in his arms. Instead, she slipped her arms around his neck, pressing her body more securely against his, her fears of Tommy Redmond’s revenge washed away by the wave of desire that engulfed her.

In response, he groaned and deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue smoothly into her mouth, a sensation she’d enjoyed only once before, with the marquess. Thoughts of Duncan and their time together flooded her memory, but she banished them firmly. That past could not be reclaimed, even if she wished such a thing. Standing here, in Sir Reginald’s embrace, she wanted her only thoughts to be of him and the pleasure they could share.

Now it was her turn to show him what was on her mind.

Only Pleasure Will Do is available on Amazon and Smashwords for $2.99 for today only. Tomorrow the Amazon price reverts to the non-pre-order price of $4.99. Smashwords and its affiliates will continue at the $2.99 price for a week (since they didn’t have a pre-order option).

Thank you for joining the fun with me today!

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

 

Posted in Giveaways, House of Pleasure Series, Only Pleasure Will Do, Promotion, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 8/30/20 Only Pleasure Will Do ~ “Who the Devil Hit Me?”

Posted on August 30, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

 

Today’s snippet is from my  historical romance, Only Pleasure Will Do, currently on pre-order with Amazon. This is the fifth and final book of the House of Pleasure series which will release tomorrow on August 31!

 

 

Here’s the new blurb for Only Pleasure Will Do:

BLURB: 

The pleasure is all hers…

Amorina Vestry, madam of the House of Pleasure for six long years, has wrested a living out the establishment by devising a variety of ways to give men pleasure. But behind the persona of the ruthless businesswoman, schooled in the erotic arts, lurks another woman with a secret she dares tell no one. Now, in vengeance for thwarting a dastardly plan, Amorina is kidnapped and forced to commit murder to save the one person she loves unconditionally…unless the man she secretly yearns for can rescue her before it’s too late.

When Amorina Vestry goes missing, Sir Reginald Matthews, former Runner now magistrate at Bow Street, agrees to search for the very provocative woman he met a year ago and cannot seem to forget. He manages to track her down, only to be captured by the same madman who took her. Their close proximity in a make-shift prison leads inexorably to a night of passion in which Amorina lowers her guard to reveal a shocking truth. Spurred by his growing attraction to her, Reginald is determined to free them before she commits the most heinous crime imaginable.

As Reginald races to save Amorina, he comes to fear another foe as well. He may very well save his love only to find he must give her up or risk the censure of a society that will condemn her.

Amorina Vestry has been kidnapped and held in two basement rooms for two weeks. In the middle of the night, the door at the top of the stairs–the only possible means of escape–opens. Terrified, she slips into the other room and waits for her chance to escape. Last week she hit the man who had invaded her prison with a chair and knocked him out. Now she’s bent on finding out just who she’s knocked out. I’m skipping ahead a few pages for this week’s snippet, to where Amorina has put Mr. Matthews on the makeshift bed and he is just coming to.

EXCERPT:

Bouncing out of the bed, he came to his feet, his head still turning, searching for danger. “Madam Vestry, thank goodness I’ve found you,” he raised his hand to the back of his head and winced, “who the devil hit me?”

“I’m afraid I did, Mr. Matthews–I beg your pardon, Sir Reginald, I believe, is correct now. May I congratulate you on your good fortune?” Smiling, she urged him to sit once more–broken heads were rather chancy and she didn’t want him to keel over again. “Do sit down. I am sorry to have been the one to incapacitate you. Had I known it was you, I would never have done so, of course.”

“Indeed,” he sat then leaned back against the wall and his shoulders slumped, “I must commend you on your aim. My head feels as though a horse kicked me.”

And now to finish the scene :

“What brings you here, Sir Reginald?”

“When you didn’t put in an appearance within a reasonable time, she contacted me. Said she was following your instructions.”

“That is correct.” Avoiding his gaze, Amorina eased down onto the cot beside him. “I’d given instructions that if anything ever befell me, if I disappeared or was being held for ransom, or anything out of the ordinary, she was to contact you at Bow Street.” Always one to follow directions to the letter, Jenny had done as asked. Amorina only hoped she didn’t live to regret it. “Thank you for granting my request.”

“I owed you a debt, Madam Vestry, nothing more.”

“A debt?”

“Last summer you aided my kinswoman, the Marchioness of Dalbury, at the risk of your own life, I’m certain. You also gave succor to her sister-in-law at Christmas, I’m told.” He sketched a bow from his waist then winced. “My family is more than indebted to you. As soon as Jenny told me you were overdue, I began to search for you.”

“I pray my request has not endangered you in any way.”

Sir Reginald grunted and rubbed the back of his head again. “Not until now, it seems.”

Only Pleasure Will Do is available on Amazon for the pre-order price of  $2.99. The book reverts to its regular price of $4.99 on the day after Release Day, September 1. Grab yours while you can!

A Matter of Pleasure, the prologue to Only Pleasure Will Do, is available for FREE on Amazon, Smashwords , Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and Apple.

Today is the last day to enter the giveaway I’m running to celebrate the upcoming release of Only Pleasure Will Do.  To enter via Rafflecopter, just click here. I’m giving away an e-copy of Only Marriage Will Do, a swag pack including a lavender sachet, Jenna Jaxon pen, a handcrafted magnet, a piece of jewelry themed to tie into the book, and a $5.00 Starbucks gift card.

And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.

 

Posted in A Matter of Pleasure, Historical Romance, House of Pleasure, House of Pleasure Series, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged , , , , , | 16 Comments

The Writer’s Eye: Deadlines

Posted on August 26, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

 

 

DEADLINE!

So sorry I missed last week’s post, but I am working feverishly toward a deadline for the final book in the Widow’s Club series, working title The Widow Wore Plaid. I’ve written the first draft out long hand, my preferred way to work. Somehow writing out a book long hand gives me permission for it to be crap, because I know I can fix it in revision. When I type directly into the computer, I feel it has to be perfect the first time around, so it takes me longer to write as I am constantly editing.

I’ve tried to be good about my deadlines with all my editors through the years. They have deadlines they have to meet as well and if I miss mine, they will likely miss theirs as well.

Which is why this post is so short. I hope to revisit the topic soon, but for now I’m going back to my typing, trying desperately to make my deadline next week.

Wish me luck!

Posted in On Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Only Marriage Will Do Giveaway

Posted on August 24, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

To celebrate the upcoming release of the final House of Pleasure Book, Only Pleasure Will Do, I’m running a Rafflecopter giveaway of an e-book copy of Only Marriage Will Do, the second book in the series today through Sunday, August 30.

 

In addition to the e-book, the lucky winner will receive a swag pack of goodies including a lavender sachet, a pen, a magnet, a piece of jewelry themed to tie in with the book, and a $5.00 Starbucks gift card (the coffee’s on me!).

To enter the giveaway, please click here.

The winner will be announced here next Monday, on Release Day for Only Pleasure Will Do.

Posted in Giveaways, House of Pleasure Series, Only Marriage Will Do, Only Pleasure Will Do, Only Scandal Will Do | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Only Scandal Will Do Giveaway Winner

Posted on August 24, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

The winner of the Only Scandal Will Do Rafflecopter is

 

SANDY FEHR!

 

I’ll be contacting Sandy later today about her prize.

 

CONGRATULATIONS, SANDY!

 

And to all those who entered, thank you very much for your support! And today the Only Marriage Will Do Rafflecopter Giveaway is beginning. Click this link to go to that blog page and enter to win!

Posted in Giveaways, House of Pleasure Series, Only Marriage Will Do, Only Scandal Will Do, Winners | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 8/23/20 Only Pleasure Will Do ~ Revelation

Posted on August 23, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

 

Today’s snippet is from my just placed on pre-order historical romance, Only Pleasure Will Do. This is the fifth and final book of the House of Pleasure series which will release on August 31.

 

 

Here’s the new blurb for Only Pleasure Will Do:

BLURB: 

The pleasure is all hers…

Amorina Vestry, madam of the House of Pleasure for six long years, has wrested a living out the establishment by devising a variety of ways to give men pleasure. But behind the persona of the ruthless businesswoman, schooled in the erotic arts, lurks another woman with a secret she dares tell no one. Now, in vengeance for thwarting a dastardly plan, Amorina is kidnapped and forced to commit murder to save the one person she loves unconditionally…unless the man she secretly yearns for can rescue her before it’s too late.

When Amorina Vestry goes missing, Sir Reginald Matthews, former Runner now magistrate at Bow Street, agrees to search for the very provocative woman he met a year ago and cannot seem to forget. He manages to track her down, only to be captured by the same madman who took her. Their close proximity in a make-shift prison leads inexorably to a night of passion in which Amorina lowers her guard to reveal a shocking truth. Spurred by his growing attraction to her, Reginald is determined to free them before she commits the most heinous crime imaginable.

As Reginald races to save Amorina, he comes to fear another foe as well. He may very well save his love only to find he must give her up or risk the censure of a society that will condemn her.

Amorina Vestry has been kidnapped and held in two basement rooms for two weeks. In the middle of the night, the door at the top of the stairs–the only possible means of escape–opens. Terrified, she slips into the other room and waits for her chance to escape. Last week she hit the man who had invaded her prison with a chair and knocked him out. Now she’s bent on finding out just who she’s knocked out. This week’s snippet begins where last weeks’ snippet ended.

EXCERPT:

Four steps and the back of his head popped into the light. She laid him down, then tossed the bit of chair leg on the floor. Her hand met the good quality of the pale gray cloak, the material smooth and rich beneath her fingers. A man of some means, then. Likely a former customer, though his form rang no bell of recognition. No need to speculate. She bent and hooked her hands beneath one shoulder and heaved him over and he fell out of the light.

She tugged him back then gasped and dropped his shoulder as though her fingers had been singed. “Reginald Matthews!”

And now to finish the scene :

Why was a Bow Street Runner—no, what had she heard last month?—a magistrate at Bow Street here in her prison? Praying she’d not killed the man, Amorina hastily laid her hand on his neck. The strong beat of his blood beneath her fingers sent a wave of relief through her. Thank God. Not only because she’d swing for such a killing, but because she’d have hated to end the life of such a handsome man.

Seldom had she stopped to consider the attractiveness of her house’s patrons. Customers were valued for their ability to pay, no more. Of course, she and her girls sought to mask that rather cold fact by endeavoring to make them believe their other attributes were of more interest than their ready coins. Such was the deception of pleasure.

Mr. Matthews, however, was different, at least to her.

Only Pleasure Will Do is available on Amazon for the pre-order price of  $2.99. The book reverts to its regular price of $4.99 on the day after Release Day, September 1. Grab yours while you can!

A Matter of Pleasure, the prologue to Only Pleasure Will Do, is available for FREE on Amazon, Smashwords , Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and Apple.

This coming week I’m running a giveaway to celebrate the upcoming release of Only Pleasure Will Do. Come by tomorrow or one day next week to enter via Rafflecopter. I’m giving away an e-copy of Only Marriage Will Do, a swag pack including a lavender sachet, Jenna Jaxon pen, a handcrafted magnet, a piece of jewelry themed to tie into the book, and a $5.00 Starbucks gift card.

And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.

 

Posted in A Matter of Pleasure, Historical Romance, House of Pleasure, House of Pleasure Series, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Rise By Moonlight Book Blog Tour ~ Blog Post by Nancy Gideon

Posted on August 18, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

 

Today I’m hosting my good friend, paranormal romance author Nancy Gideon, who has just released the 15th book in her “By Moonlight” series, Rise By Moonlight. Nancy’s going to speak to the experience of writing such a long-lived series and how the final volume has affected her.

Thanks for hosting my RISE BY MOONLIGHT Blog Tour today, Jenna!!

As we both know, readers love a good series. They have everything you want . . . and more! Characters you can root for or despise. Plotlines that twist and turn you into knots. Emotions (the characters’ and yours!) that run the gamut from hot and bothered to broken-hearted tears. And, best of all, there’s that promise of more to follow.

Books in a series are an unapologetic tease, flirting with the readers, smashing their hopes, dashing their dreams but never, ever letting go of that promise begun in book one – that good will triumph, that the investment of time and money will be rewarded, and that even when the final page is finished . . . after that last satisfied sigh, there’s that wish that there would be just one more book . . . That final book is the big payoff. The reader expects every tease, every loose end to tie together into a seamless quilt of satisfaction, from main characters to the most minute plot thread, because that one loose end ravels the whole pattern.

I never dreamed (well, I dreamed) that ten years after seeing the first book in my “By Moonlight” series debut, I’d be creating a world that embraced 15 books! When writing RISE BY MOONLIGHT, the final installment in the series, it took two whole years to pull together a history of relationships, dreams, and fears in a farewell tour. It was like packing up to move away from best friends in your neighborhood to find a new story and new characters. But parting is sweet sorrow.

Thanks to all who’ve taken the journey with me and for those just joining in for the ride.

BOOK BLURB:
 
Max and Charlotte return for the explosive conclusion of the “By Moonlight” series . . . and the stakes have never been higher!

He’s the Promised One
A Mobster’s attack dog turned legitimate business powerhouse, Max Savoie is the reluctant leader of New Orleans’ shapeshifter clan. They’ve kept to anonymous shadows, working and living unnoticed by the human world until their new Shifter King’s past draws dangerous outsiders who threaten all.

She’s the Protector
A fiercely determined NOPD detective, Charlotte Caissie has sworn to defend her beloved city and her unborn child from both criminals and otherworldly factions at war. While standing boldly at the side of her mate/husband, secrets from the past return to shake the foundation of her beliefs.

They have a Problem
Walking a marital tightrope between opposite worlds, Max and Cee Cee’s paths place truth and trust at odds when outside threats force enemies to become allies. The time to take a stand for their family and their future is at hand. Time to rise together for the survival of all they love!

“Every delicious word on the page exhilarates with a sensuous ferocity. Hopelessly addicted.” – NYT bestselling author, Darynda Jones

Rise by Moonlight: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo Books | iBooks

Nancy Gideon – Bio:
 
Nancy Gideon is the award-winning, bestselling author of 68 romances ranging from historical, regency and series contemporary suspense to paranormal, with a couple of horror screenplays tossed into the mix. She’s also published under the pen names Dana Ransom, Rosalyn West and Lauren Giddings. She recently retired after 20 years as a legal assistant and, when not at the keyboard, feeds a Netflix addiction along with all things fur, fin and fowl. For more information on the author, her books, or the “House of Terriot” and “By Moonlight” series, visit Nancy on the web.  

Nancy’s Media Links: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Newsletter

Nancy also wanted me to let you know that there’s a big giveaway to celebrate the release of Rise By Moonlight: A $20.00 Amazon Gift Card. Just click on this Rafflecopter link to enter!

And please leave a comment! I know Nancy would love to hear what you think about Rise By Moonlight!

Posted in Guest Bloggers, Guest Posts | Tagged , , , , , | 27 Comments

Only Scandal Will Do Giveaway

Posted on August 17, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

To celebrate the upcoming release of the final House of Pleasure Book, Only Pleasure Will Do, I’m running a Rafflecopter giveaway of an e-book copy of Only Scandal Will Do, the first book in the series today through Sunday, August 23.

In addition to the e-book, the lucky winner will receive a swag pack of goodies including a lavender sachet, a pen, a magnet, a piece of jewelry themed to tie in with the book, and a $5.00 Starbucks gift card (the coffee’s on me!).

To enter the giveaway, please click here.

The winner will be announced here next Monday, when I set up my next giveaway for a copy of Only Marriage Will Do.

Posted in Giveaways, House of Pleasure Series, Only Pleasure Will Do, Only Scandal Will Do | 41 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 8/16/20 Only Pleasure Will Do ~ Not Alone

Posted on August 16, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

 

Today’s snippet is from my just placed on pre-order historical romance, Only Pleasure Will Do. This is the fifth and final book of the House of Pleasure series which will release on August 31.

 

 

Here’s the new blurb for Only Pleasure Will Do:

BLURB: 

The pleasure is all hers…

Amorina Vestry, madam of the House of Pleasure for six long years, has wrested a living out the establishment by devising a variety of ways to give men pleasure. But behind the persona of the ruthless businesswoman, schooled in the erotic arts, lurks another woman with a secret she dares tell no one. Now, in vengeance for thwarting a dastardly plan, Amorina is kidnapped and forced to commit murder to save the one person she loves unconditionally…unless the man she secretly yearns for can rescue her before it’s too late.

When Amorina Vestry goes missing, Sir Reginald Matthews, former Runner now magistrate at Bow Street, agrees to search for the very provocative woman he met a year ago and cannot seem to forget. He manages to track her down, only to be captured by the same madman who took her. Their close proximity in a make-shift prison leads inexorably to a night of passion in which Amorina lowers her guard to reveal a shocking truth. Spurred by his growing attraction to her, Reginald is determined to free them before she commits the most heinous crime imaginable.

As Reginald races to save Amorina, he comes to fear another foe as well. He may very well save his love only to find he must give her up or risk the censure of a society that will condemn her.

Amorina Vestry has been kidnapped and held in two basement rooms for two weeks. In the middle of the night, the door at the top of the stairs–the only possible means of escape–opens. Terrified, she slips into the other room and waits for her chance to escape. Last week she hit the man who had invaded her prison with a chair and knocked him out. This week’s snippet begins where last weeks’ snippet ended.

EXCERPT:

Sobbing as relief poured through her, Amorina stood over him, part of a chair leg—the only piece of the weapon still intact—raised once more. But the figure sprawled on the ground didn’t move, and her frenzied breathing calmed. Tossing the mangled stick onto the body, she then leaped over it, and nimbly flew up the stairs to the door. Slow and silent, she grasped the handle and pulled.

It didn’t budge.

She tried to rattle the door, but it refused to move at all, as though someone had nailed it shut. Leaning her head against the stubborn wood, she swallowed tears. She was still a prisoner, although no longer alone.

And now to finish the scene :

Heart racing, she turned to peer over the rail at the still figure below. Who was he? Why was he here? And what did he have to do with her?

Keeping a cautious eye on the man, she crept down the steps. A patch of moonlight fell on the floor not far from where he lay. She could at least satisfy her curiosity about one thing. Grasping him under his armpits, Amorina lifted him and rocked back on her heels, an effective way for a woman to move dead-drunk patrons if the need arose. This man was solidly built, to be sure, but she’d moved heavier bodies.

Only Pleasure Will Do is available on Amazon for the pre-order price of  $2.99. The book reverts to its regular price of $4.99 on the day after Release Day, September 1. Grab yours while you can!

A Matter of Pleasure, the prologue to Only Pleasure Will Do, is available for FREE on Amazon, Smashwords , Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and Apple.

And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.

 

Posted in A Matter of Pleasure, Historical Romance, House of Pleasure, House of Pleasure Series, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

The Writer’s Eye: Plotting

Posted on August 12, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

 

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a plotter through and through. I cannot begin to write a book, novella, or short story without a detailed outline that shows me exactly where I’m going on my journey through my book.

I’ve always been a very linear focused person, in anything I do. I begin at point A and don’t stop until I get to point Z. I once wrote a novella in which I knew that in the final scene thee would be a particular line, and I couldn’t skip ahead and write that scene–or the line–until I had finished the rest of the story leading up to it. And man, when I got there it was quite a relief to get it finally on paper.

So I don’t skip around. How can you write chapter 10 before chapter 1? How on earth would you know what had happened in chapter 8 or 9 that could impact chapter 10 if you haven’t written them yet? I am in awe of pantsers who do that stuff on a regular basis.

Plotting out the entire story gives me a road map that I can follow, so I can make all the right turns and not go off onto detours that only waste time and go nowhere. I hate to have to back track. And dead ends are no fun at all. Of course, I don’t follow my outline slavishly. If I discover a short cut, or a different route along the way that works better, I’ll take it and enjoy the new part of the ride, until we get back on the major plot highway.

 

I generally use what is called the 3-Act plot, taking the terminology from the theatre world where the first act includes exposition or background, an inciting incident, and the beginning of rising action. Act 2 continues the rising action including conflict and complications that come to a point in Act 3, which includes the black moment, the crisis, and the denouement or falling action.

A major element in the plot is the conflict. You need to know who your protagonist (main character) is, who your antagonist (the character who wants to thwart the protagonist) is,  what each of these characters wants (their goals) , and the conflicts and complications that arise to keep them from getting to those goals.

The characters’ goals must be compelling in order for the reader to want to invest their time in reading about these characters’ struggles. How they achieve their goals is the journey the plot takes them on. They may take those detours, they may come to dead ends, or they may end up changing their destination entirely. But the journey or the plot, must hold the reader’s attention, keep them wanting to turn those pages until journey’s end.

Are you a plotter or a pantser? have you ever been able to switch from one way of writing to the other? Are you a blend (plotser)? How is it working out for you?

Posted in On Writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments