Woohoo! Yesterday, I wrote the end of Heart Shaped Bruise *happy dance*. It took a massive last push and I had to sacrifice a night out and the Yoga Show at Kensington Olympia to do it, but I did, and it’s done. Unfortunately for me, the easy part is over.
Tonight, it’ll be sent off for a structural review and then the pain of rewrites starts. I’ve also got to start thinking about my cover and, as it stands, I’m fresh out of ideas. Ho hum.
Nobody ever said writing was easy!
I’ve had a mega busy weekend of writing, so for today’s post, here’s a teaser. ❤
Yay! Last week, I got something amazing in the post! Take a look!
I am beyond excited. I’m currently reading through the proofs and hopefully, it’ll be available on sale in the next two weeks.
Time to pop open the prosecco!
There’s never an excuse.
That was some good advice I got from my lovely friend and fellow author, Caroline Batten. I’d been to stay with her (look out for that post shortly) and after a bit of a chat, an idea was hatched for a new book. I’d had a bit of a panic because the main character loves sex. Yes, yes, I know we all do, but it’s different when you’re writing.
Back in the day, a heap of chick-lit books revolved around sex. Casual, mostly, until Mr Charming came along and swept the heroine off her feet. Mine is a bit more topical and less chick-lit, but one of the main characters gets down and dirty in the opening chapter with someone she’s only just met. On Tinder. And therein laid my problem.
I don’t write erotica, no – just no – props to erotica writers but I just can’t do it, it’s bloody tough! But I do want to write about someone normal, who happens to like getting laid. I spoke about the plot outline with two male friends at the weekend and they all said ‘NO!’. You can’t possibly write about a female who likes casual sex, it’s offputting. One of these guys is one of my best boy mates and always gives good advice, but I struggled with this view. They’re not my target audience, I admit, but while I disagreed, it did get me thinking about whether it would be too much for some.
The main character in question is Claire, Sarah’s sister in Together Apart. I always wanted to develop her a bit more and give her a story of her own, and this idea seems perfect. But it’s difficult enough trying to get your own fan base when you’re a writer – the last thing we want is to alienate people because of subject matter. But then again, how many books do people read and wish it could have been just a bit more? A bit more different, a bit more daring, a bit more real.
After speaking to Caroline, she told me to get a grip and write the book I want to read. And this is the kind of book Iwant to read – something REAL. It’s what I’ve always set out to do, with Together Apart and with Heart Shaped Bruise. Probably not much point in changing what I’m doing now!
Natalie K. Martin 