Struggling to get my hero right.

It’s weird but usually I have trouble with my female characters but with this book, Sloan is coming along nicely. Greer is giving me trouble. I guess because he’s not your typical hero, having just been released from prison. He’s having a tough time staying on the staight-and-narrow since he can’t find a job and is running out of money. I think I’ve got a plan for him, but I don’t want him to come across as completely irredeemable. Though, I do want to see how far I can go without that happening.  Hopefully I can get through this first chapter and get to their first meeting, which will be fun since Sloan is going to break-up his first chance at getting nookie after 6 years in prison. Needless to say he isn’t happy about the interruption, especially when she accuses him of stealing a precious stone. I know if I can get past this first chapter I’ll be okay. Wish me luck.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Jerri

 

A new book in the works!

So, I had no motivation to write and then I got an e-mail about an anthology at The Wild Rose Press. They wanted a romantic suspense centered around a blue Diamond. I got to thinking about this and it really snowballed into a storyline that I now have an outline for. Tentitive title Diamond in the Rough.

Hero:  Greer Beranger–diamond expert and ex-Jewel thief.

This is my image of him. 

Heroine: Sloan McKendrics–precious stones investigator for the Jax Insurance Company.

Question? What do you think about heroes who are really considered anti-heroes? Can you overlook a criminal past if the story is compelling enough? I’d love to hear what you think about this as a writer or a reader.

Jerri

 

 

Story nothing like I’d planned!

So I was three pages into the second book in my Denver Homicide series and something didn’t feel right. I knew that, but I didn’t know what until the next morning when my furbabies woke me up at 2 0′clock in the a.m. That is when I realized that Steve doesn’t belong to Laurie. Laurie’s husband does, but we’ll talk about that next book.  I deleted everything I wrote and started over. The first scene in the book gave me my title. Yes, that’s how I roll. LOL. Anyway. I’m half done with the first chapter. Introduced my hero and heroine to the story, with just a hint of their backstories–hopefully just enough to keep the reader wanting to know more.

Hero–Steve Morgan of course. My image for him in my head is Simon Baker.

Heroine–Whitney McAllister. I don’t have an image for her yet but she has a three-year-old girl named Kylie. She worked in housekeeping at the lodge where Steve was sent on a forced vacation.

“Hook, Line, Murder”

Chapter One

Steve Morgan heaved a sigh of frustration and again cast his line into the water. His goal that day had been to relax and enjoy an afternoon of fishing at Beaver Lake, even though he’d been forced into this little impromptu vacation to Marble, Colorado by his commanding officer. His blood still boiled about that and would until he was allowed to return to work.
He plopped onto a deteriorating fallen tree on the bank and watched his bobber move listlessly through the current. It reminded him of his emotions–up and down since the accident.
Shaking the thought, he reeled the line in a few feet. He hadn’t caught one damned trout since he’d arrived at Beaver lodge. Maybe he’d bought the wrong bait. The Salmon eggs the guy at the fish and tackle shop suggested might have worked better.
Then again, maybe his heart wasn’t in this particular leisurely activity. But then, what else did one do in a po dunk town, population less than a thousand–at a resort touted the best for rest and relaxation with its hiking trails and small, scenic cabins featuring all the amenities. Too bad he barely knew how to boil water.
Nope. This was not for him.  He was like Ava on Green Acres. He loved city life—preferably the hustle and bustle of Denver.
Steve cranked the spindle on the reel, thinking it was a waste of time trying to catch a fish that he couldn’t cook anyway. As his line neared the bank, it snagged on something in the water.
Great. If he broke the nylon string, he’d have to pay for the rented equipment.
He rose and waded into the water. If this was relaxing, he’d have a coronary by the time he left.
A foot or two into the muddy backwash his boot bumped into something on the bottom.
He looked down. What the hell was it?
He worked his boot alongside the thing. It didn’t feel all that solid.
Steve reeled the line in further and leaned toward the surface, literally feeling all blood drain from his face. Under the water, caught on his twelve-pound test line, was a hand and he guessed the rest of the body nested against his foot.

Copyrights©jerridrennenJuly2009

Do you want to keep reading?

Jerri

 

Is it a sign?

I was printing out my partial to send to Harlequin when I ran out of ink. Maybe it’s a sign that I shouldn’t send it. What do you think? Do you believe in such things? Or am I thinking this because I’m scared? You don’t have to answer. I know which. Seriously I do, but I’m still trying to come up with an excuse to chicken out. I never used to be like this. I need to suck it up and mail the darn thing and then try and forget about it.  I’m almost done with all the revisions for the book. By the time I hear something on it, it should be all shiny and ready to go.

This morning, I watched Along Came a Spider. That story had a lot of twists and turns and I’m thinking I could write something like that. I just need to add romance to it–just because I love romance. I have an idea spinning for my second book in my Denver Homicide Series. Steve Morgan will be the hero. I think I’ll have a woman with a small child or a pregnant woman as my heroine. I’ve only written one other story where my heroine had a child and that was The Morgan Charm, my second book in my National Security Series. I may have to bring my boys back into this book. Flint and Robert Morgan were so fun to write.  Right now the story is coming to me. I think Laurie is going to be my herione–Simone’s best-friend. She shocked Simone at the end of Going Once, Going Twice, Dead. Now I know why? She just told me and I have the premise for book two. I’m off to get started. Maybe by the end of the day I’ll even have a title.

Have a productive Thursday!

Jerri

I’m still cranking the words out!

So, yesterday I wrote, 1,069 and today I wrote, 1,040. Total since I started the challenge, 81,177. I also edited chapter 5 of Untouched.

How are you doing?

Jerri

Last day of Sven is tomorrow!

I did better than I could have ever dreamed. Tomorrow I will have reached 80,000 words for the challenge. This was my first 70 days of sweating and I am more than pleased with my results. Yesterday’s word count was 1,054. Today, 1007. Total, 79,068

I’m not going to bore you with details but this month has been really tough on a personal level. I’m getting my reflux back because of all the stress–something my body can’t handle. What I did realize though was that I am a real writer. I can write through things that most wouldn’t be able to. Why? Because I love it. I want to be a Best-selling author. I want people to know who I am. I think you really have to want that to write through rough times. Besides writing, I’m reading craft books and am learning so much about what make a memorable character, a strong plot and all around great story. I hope that Untouched shows that I’ve strengthened my writing and have created two characters that I truly love. Today, I’ve hit page 95 in the second book in the series, nearing halfway to completion. The third book is already perulating in my head, the chatacters, Hunt & Reyna. Both very strong, tough people. Conflict will be revealed in the second but, but will be reiterated in the third.

Anyway, have a good night, and on American Idol tonight…Go David Cook!

Jerri 

Checking in!

So, I’m still writing. Yesterday I did, 1,080 words, today, 1051. Total since I started on this Sven journey, 77,007.

Have a wonderful evening.

Jerri

I’m back!

I’m still here, still writing on the challenge. Yesterdays word count was 1059. Today was, 1015. Totally since Svening, 74,876. I think there is less than a week to go now. I still haven’t missed one day of writing. Yes, it is a record–one I hope to continue.

Anyway, have a fabulous evening!

Jerri

I’ll bet you’re getting tired of hearing from me, right?

So yesterday and today’s word count is 2,145. Total since I started this crazy thing is 71,723. (BIG GRIN)

Have a fantastic day!

Jerri

Two more days!

Yesterday my word count was, 1,127. Today, 1014. Total since I started sweating with Sven, 67,468 words.

Have a great day!

Jerri