~GUEST POST by REBECCA GRAF~
Working Out a Difficult Scene
Every writer has a difficult scene they are faced with. It could a love scene, a murder scene, or just where to go from sitting in a coffee shop talking. It is not unusual, and most writers will encounter many of them throughout the process of writing a novel. So how do they work it out? The truth is that every author has their own way. For me, it is a combination of getting away, focusing on something else, and chatting with readers and writers.
It all starts with me determined to finish a scene but it is in my plan to do that much today. Well, I can’t. For some reason I cannot get a scene worked out. It shouldn’t be hard. She just needs to escape the cave. What’s so hard about that? Obviously, more than I thought it would be. Well, first I step away from writing completely. I don’t even write any blog posts. I might read, take a walk, or run an errand. The point is that I have to get away from the scene while letting the scene ferment in my brain. So in a way I’m never really away from it.
Hours or days later I come back usually with the scene worked out and ready to be typed out. Sometimes that doesn’t work for me. I then go to my friends who either read and/or write. I explain to them what is going on and let them toss out ideas. I might use them or let their ideas be the catalyst to the one I need that is sitting somewhere in my brain. My muse grabs the idea and then I can’t stop until the scene is written out.
I’ve discovered that forcing a difficult scene to come out only makes it worse. You cannot force creativity. It can’t be done. The result is garbage that you’ll regret ever producing. You have to let your creativity rest periodically. That is the only way to successfully write.
Have a difficult scene? Get away. Focus on something else. You don’t like pressure. Neither does your muse.
Deep Connections by Rebecca Graf
Author: Rebecca Graf
Publisher: Silver Tongue Press
Publication Date: August 2012
Genre: Paranormal/Suspense/Romance
Synopsis:
Just as love appears, so does the darkness. With her heart reaching out for one man, Brenna finds herself the target of an unknown stalker. Who is he? What does he want? How far will he go for her? Death is an option. Brenna discovers more than she bargained for and learns that the stalker will kill for her. It all comes down to decisions, and no matter what she chooses it will demand sacrifice and someone's blood.
Praise:
“A stand out story for me because of Ms. Graf's ability to bring not only the story but the characters to life. She easily allowed me to feel the emotions that the characters felt, from the tension between Eaton and Slaton, to the jolt Brenna felt when Slaton touched her. Because of the mystery and suspense the plot moved along at a brisk pace, and the ending has me anxious for the next book in the series! Ms. Graf weaves together, mystery, suspense, romance along with a paranormal twist which makes for a page turning read!” – Brenda Castro on Goodreads
“Deep Connections is a riveting romantic suspense thriller that will captivate you from the beginning and hold you captive until the end. If you like a scary novel with a twist of paranormal and romance in the mix, then this is the book for you. This is the first book in a series, and the end will leave you hanging and wanting more, only to make you wait for it to be continued in the next book of the series, Dark Connections.” – Kathleen Higgins-Anderson on Goodreads
“Graf has a true talent. The plot was amazing and the writing was great, it just kept on flowing and was easy to read on and on and get wrapped up in the book and lose track of time while reading. The characters made this book too. They were very well developed and thought out by Graf. She made them seem so real to the reader.” – Angela Krause on Goodreads
About the Author:
Rebecca Graf is a transplanted Southerner living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her husband, three children, two cats, and two dogs. Life keeps her pretty busy with taking care of the family, writing, and running several online businesses including Silver Tongue Press. To keep sane, she reads and crochets as she plots her next story. She has also written How to Write a Book Review and two Christian children’s books: A Gift for a Mouse and The Nightingale in the Garden.
You can connect with Rebecca here:
Excerpt:
Brenna’s eyes fluttered open to see a blur of trees flying by. Her head pounded and her stomach began to roll from the pain she felt and the fast-changing scenery. A careful look at her surroundings told her she was in an older model car. She inhaled deeply to calm herself, but confusion set in as her senses were assaulted by unfamiliar smells. The old smell of the car was tainted with something repugnant and caused her nose to crinkle in response. Her eyes widened in fright as terrifying memories began to flood her mind. Turning slowly, afraid of what she might see, a gasp involuntarily escaped her vocal cords when she saw he was as repulsive as she remembered. Who was he and what did he want with her?
Sensing her stare, a pair of dark, soulless eyes turned towards her. A smile appeared on his unkempt face. “Well, well, sleeping beauty awakes.” Brenna’s stomach rolled again as she felt his eyes slide hungrily over her body. She pushed up against the door in an effort to put as much distance between the two of them as she could, but he shook his head in disapproval. “No need to be dramatic.” He turned his attention back to the road. “We both know you won’t jump out.”
She set her teeth and glared at him. Eyeballing her surroundings, she saw that there was no end to the trees that lined the road, no sign of civilization. She assumed they were still in the same state as when he grabbed her from the parking lot of the school where she taught. Deep down inside, she knew death awaited her no matter what. The look in his eye was not merciful. Yet jumping from the car to end her life seemed too selfish. As she was not one to keep such joy to herself, she quickly swung her body around and slammed into her abductor. Might as well let him in on the fun!
The force of her body colliding into his sent the car spinning out of control. She began fighting with all her might to prevent him from regaining control. Two sets of hands fought for control of the steering wheel. Profanities were shouted as the fight intensified. The car spun to the edge of the road where a small depression nestled in the forest. The tires left the ground when it hit the slight downward shift of the terrain, the car flipped and somersaulted twenty feet down the hill. As it took its final turn before slamming into a large pine tree, the passenger door flung open from the movement. Brenna thudded on the forest ground and barely missed a clump of trees. Stars exploded in her head and every bone in her body ached from the impact. She looked up to the fading light and let the darkness take possession.
Purchase Links:
Amazon – Print and Kindle
No comments:
Post a Comment
If you are commenting anonymous please leave an email for contacting purposes on Giveaways