Author: Gigi Lynn (Page 8 of 9)

Why A Romance Novel?

October 18, 2020 / Gigi Lynn

I have finished my first Regency romance novel!!!

focused photo of a red rose — image by Jamie Street @Jamie452

This is a huge accomplishment for me. I haven’t sold it yet; I’m working on the query letter and research about agents and such. But the novel is complete. Alpha and Beta readers have had their say. The editor is at work.

I just want to go back two paragraphs now. Me write a Regency romance novel? Yes, yes I have. The truth is I was raised on a steady diet (provided by my mom) of romance novels. Back in the day (unnamed years ago), most romance novels were what we, today, call Clean or Sweet. Read that as the writers didn’t include sex scenes. And my mom, my sister, and I read them voraciously.

Now, some people in some circles might look down on the humble romance novel (even though it is one of the highest selling genres). I have a degree in English and I’ve spent quite a bit of time in those circles. I even love those circles and a good discussion about the literature favored in those circles. But I also love a good romance. I love the “Love Conquers All” theme. I love the search for connection, for belonging, for intimacy (since we’re talking “sweet” here, I’m talking emotional intimacy in this post). I love the struggle and bumps along the way. I just love romance.

One of my favorite things to ask people that I’m just getting to know is, “how did you meet?” Everyone’s process of meeting and falling in love seems a miracle to me. I love to hear about people’s romances.

Even though I have written a fantasy novel, which is in need of a complete rewrite, it is as much a romance as a fantasy. I have also written three children’s books–not romances, and after seven children, I like that too. But I have found a real comfort and familiarity while writing my romance novel. And the second one in the series, which is half-way written feels the same. Finding “my voice” just didn’t seem as difficult.

Exploring trust and vulnerability, trying to capture the growth of a protagonist as she opens her heart to love, following two people who struggle, and make mistakes, and compromise is exilerating.

So for the next little while I will probably be writing about my writing–my romance writing–and about the value of a good romance novel.

So tell me, how did you meet your love?

You see a Cabin. He sees a project. I see a writer’s retreat!

September 14, 2020 / Gigi Lynn

Whatever you call it, it is an adventure. Let me tell you about it. At the end of June some friends texted to ask if we wanted to buy their cabin. Because they are lovely people, and because the cabin is unfinished and has been empty and unused for six or seven years, they offered it to us for an astounding and generous price. We couldn’t say no, and okay we didn’t really want to say no. I have always wanted a cabin.

It needs a lot of work, so we talked with all our children to ask if they would help. We are inveterate DYIers, but this is a big project–one we didn’t feel we could do on our own. Once we got their buy-in, we bought a cabin!

Now, the plywood floors and the exposed stud and insulation walls–those are easy fixes. But years ago our friend decided to dig out under the cabin and make a basement. Two walls were in, but the rest of the cabin sat on jacks.

So, this is our project now. And I must say it’s coming along really well, and our children have been incredibly helpful. And can I just say, I love going to the cabin– even though the work is back-breaking and the conditions are a little rough (the bathrooms work and there are beds, so it’s not like we’re camping), but it is not luxury in any sense of the word.

But there is just something about stepping out of the car and taking that first breath of pine scented air. I hear the breeze through the trees and I feel a weight just lift off my shoulders. I think it’s because even though it (the work) is hard, life is simple there. And I don’t know why that is. We still have our phones. We still have our work responsibilities, but they just don’t seem as heavy up in that thinner air (8600 feet altitude).

And I dream. I dream of days of quiet when I can sit on a deck in the cool mountain breeze and write uninterrupted. It’s a ways away, but that dream rests lightly in the back of my mind.

So, I want to ask, do you have a place–a retreat where you can write? I know the daily habit is necessary (and I am working on that), but sometimes don’t you just want to get away and really write? I’d love to hear about your retreats. Or are you, like me, still working on creating that retreat.

Here’s hoping that creating your retreat doesn’t involve this much hard physical labor. But if it does, keep the dream alive.

Creativity and Mental Health

September 10, 2020 / Gigi Lynn

What are you doing to stay sane during Covid? I see masses of walkers/joggers, bikers and skateboarders out on the trail behind my home. The roads to and from the canyons in the mountains around us are busier than the freeway during rush hour. It’s always wonderful when the weather improves in the spring and we can comfortably out in nature. But this year, it felt like release from a prison.

I think many people must be finding some sanity in working in their homes and gardens. Every time we go to the local home improvement stores, the parking lots are packed. And my friends have posted some wonderful projects they have completed since the beginning of this virus. There aren’t many things more satisfying than completing a project. I’m pretty excited about some of my own projects. (A confession: sometimes I wonder if my projects are more in the nature of avoidance rather than healthy pastime). Regardless, completing any project can be very exhilarating. There is a definite shot of dopamine when I step back and see a finished work. (Below: my reupholstered chairs for the cabin)

These are effective ways to stay mentally healthy, but there is another way I want to talk about today.

Graham Greene said, “Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose or paint can manage to escape the madness, melancholia, the panic and fear which is inherent in a human situation.” And he wasn’t in the middle of Covid 19.

Raymond Feist said, “I won’t say that writing is therapy, but for me, the act of writing is therapy. The ability to be productive is good for my mental health. It’s always better for me to be writing than vegetating on some couch.”

Their experience is supported by research.

Ashley Stahl wrote an article in Forbes on the benefits of creativity. She listed five benefits of being creative. It increases happiness, reduces dementia, improves mental health, boosts the immune system, increases intelligence. These are benefits I want, regardless of situation, but they seem especially necessary now.

So for us writers or aspiring writers, this is the time to write more. Not only do we have more time (I will feel terrible if when we are once again involved in life on a wider scale I look back and all I have done is watch Netflix and read brain candy-both enjoyable pastimes, true-but not if that’s all we do), but writing will make us more healthy, more happy, more sane.

So, what are you writing? When? Has your writing schedule changed during covid? What do you do to combat the temptation to procrastinate–when every day is the same and you know you’ll have lots of time tomorrow, how do you motivate yourself to write today?

Alice Walker said, “whenever you are creating beauty around you, you are restoring your own soul.” And Kurt Vonnegut said, “To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow.”

So–Let’s paint something. Sew something. Cook something. Play music or move to music. Build something. Create. But most of all, let’s write something.

When It’s Deeply Personal

August 1, 2020 / Gigi Lynn

It is difficult to share, not knowing if readers will receive in the same spirit in which it is given, but I wrote this shortly after my mother passed away. I hope reading it will help someone, as writing it helped me.

Growth and Insights Found In the Foreword

January 16, 2020 / Gigi Lynn

I have read quite a bit of Alice Walker’s writings. Though not easy reading, I find her novels and short stories worth the work–thought provoking and mind broadening. However, some of my favorite things that Alice Walker has written I’ve found in forewords, prefaces, essays, interviews, and here in an address to students from her Alma mater, Spellman College:

Oh, Let Us Be Thankful

January 15, 2020 / Gigi Lynn

Okay, I fulfilled last week’s challenge, (and a personal letter too), but today I want to talk about thank you notes. Do they count as letters? I’m making an argument for the affirmative. Though short, they are, if written sincerely, an expression of deep feeling from the heart. It’s a good enough definition of a letter.

Inspiration Or Intimidation

January 12, 2020 / Gigi Lynn

It’s a common belief that if you want to write, you will read–a lot. It follows that if you spend time reading the finest writing, you should be inspired to write even better. I guess that I believe that. Only, sometimes I’m not sure it works that way.

Can We Enjoy Poems Again?

January 10, 2020 / Gigi Lynn

Do you remember studying poetry in school? Do you cringe? I think two activities have added to our negative feelings about poetry: the deconstruction exercises we do/have done in school where we are asked to take a perfectly crafted and evocative poem, pull it apart, and point out every poetic device so that we can “interpret” it. And then our understanding of the poem is judged by some little understood yardstick. Often, we are required to bare our souls in the writing and sharing of a poem.

Send Your Voice

January 9, 2020 / Gigi Lynn

I’m still trying to find my “blogging” voice. Also, now that I mention it, I’m still working on my writing voice. I like some of the things that I do, and cringe in embarrassment over some of the others. I have read other writer’s blogs, but I’m uncomfortable giving advice on how to write. Writing is such a personal, unique and individual process, and, though I’m finding what works for me, I’m not sure it would be helpful to anyone else, so I’m not sure writing about that is very interesting to anyone but me. So, for awhile I think I’m going to give myself a “weekly writing challenge.” I will try to record and share my outcomes. We’ll see how it goes. Maybe both “voices” will reveal themselves through the process.

And speaking of Harry Potter

January 8, 2020 / Gigi Lynn

We recently had dinner with a family who are big fans, might I say obsessive fans of the Harry Potter series. I have enjoyed reading Harry Potter myself. I believe J.K. Rowling is a gifted storyteller. So, this may seem somewhat random, even contradictory, and I realize that I’m speaking of what to some is sacred ground, but I am just going to put this out there and take the flak. I’m talking about Harry Potter. I just struggled with the end of that series. I’ve thought a lot about it because, hey, it’s Harry Potter, and everyone just raved (still raves) about it. And it is an engaging series. Let me just say in my defense that I really like the Harry Potter series. The books are clever and egrossing, but I really, really was disappointed with that climactic scene in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.