I spent a fun-filled day playing Scribblenauts Unlimited on the WiiU with Alex, John, and John’s youngest daughter. That’s only slightly sarcastic – I could do without playing the game again, but we did have a few laughs. Alex is generally glad to be back home. He enjoys playing with his half-brother at his dad’s but routine is routine.
On the Camp NaNo front, I was within 1,600 words of completing my goal of 25,000 and there are still ten days left so I upped my goal to 30,000 words. I know I’m not going to be able to stop writing this one until I’m finished but I am forcing myself to take a break occasionally and edit the first one.
However, I’m having a bit of a difficult time with genre issues – or at least theme. The issue is with my new villain. She’s oversexed so of course the topic of sex keeps coming up. Where the first novel has its erotic moments, (and okay, a couple of decent sex scenes) this one is beginning to compete with 50 Shades of Grey, if not with the constant porn then at least the mention of body parts and, let’s say, warmer feelings. I may be able to tone it down but I can’t cut it out and keep my character in character. You can see my dilemma, right? What would you do? Have you ever read a sequel that strayed far away from the tone of the first… and did you like the second one? Or is this just a recipe for failure?
On that note, and in the spirit of randomness, here’s a picture of the sun setting over Boston Pizza.

July 24, 2014 at 9:49 am
Keep true to what it is. If the first already has sex, then they shouldn’t be surprised if the second one does. When doing a tag line/back cover ad, just make sure to subtely hint at the sexual depravity contained within the pages. “Scenes so steamy, you could drown someone in your pants.” (That’s from Archer. I did not come up with it.)
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July 24, 2014 at 2:28 pm
Haha! Yeah, that’s subtle. 😀
I suppose you’re right – the question is, is it enough to actually change the entire genre or is it just more of what has come before it… so to speak. 😉
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July 24, 2014 at 2:30 pm
Isn’t romance in all stories? Just do your thing 🙂 If it feels right, it will be. The more you get down, the more you’ll know. You’re pretty smart when it comes to writing.
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July 24, 2014 at 2:32 pm
I appreciate your confidence in me. Thanks, Paul 🙂
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July 22, 2014 at 9:04 am
I think I would wait until the end and then go back and second guess what you’ve written.
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July 23, 2014 at 10:30 am
Probably the best idea. Thanks, John, 🙂
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July 22, 2014 at 2:54 am
“She’s oversexed so of course the topic of sex keeps coming up.”
I have not read ‘Fifty Shades of Gray.”
Am I the only one?
Linda,
Keep writing. We will read (and buy)
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July 23, 2014 at 10:32 am
Thank you very much. 🙂 You haven’t missed much by not reading 50 Shades. I only picked it up to see what I could get away with in my own novel writing. I ended up encouraged that if a book that bad can sell that many copies, I have a chance.
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July 23, 2014 at 11:19 pm
Much more than I chance, I’d wager.
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July 24, 2014 at 2:30 pm
🙂
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July 21, 2014 at 10:56 pm
I understand your dilemma but I would ask myself is the second one a better story, do I like it more than the first and why is better or worse. The characters sexuality need to add to the attraction/story I think, not just there for the titillation effect. Is you villain one we are going to ‘like’ for her villainy? Good luck I would urge you to let it all happen and then once you’ve concluded and six publishing houses want to publish it that might tell you something…
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July 21, 2014 at 10:59 pm
Haha! Oh I so hope I even have one house interested, let alone six.
I do actually think my new villain is a compelling character, and she interacts well with the ones from the first book. There is a point to it as well. Hopefully I’m not the only one who sees it. 😛
Thanks very much for your input, Michael. 🙂
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July 21, 2014 at 11:00 pm
You’re most welcome and good luck.
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July 21, 2014 at 11:01 pm
Thanks! 🙂
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