**UPDATE** "House Calls" Pre-Launch, and a Stock Character Rant
- By Tracy Ames
- Published February 23, 2012
Tracy Ames
Mrs. Ames is an international bestselling author of interracial erotic fiction and a former columnist for several newsletters and magazines.
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Tracy currently split time between CT & New York City with her husband, children and a host of pets.
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Hiya Folks!
Tomorrow I'm posting a new short story entitled "House Calls". What began as a friendly challenge between scribblers has morphed into something entirely different.
Let me explain....
According to the folks over at mediabistro.com who, after analyzing 15,000 Harlequin books, came up with the most popular professions for heroes in romance novels.
1. Doctor
2. Cowboy
3. Boss
4. Prince
5. Rancher
6. Knight
7. Surgeon
8. King
9. Bodyguard
10. Sheriff
No shocker there! Every scribe has picked from the standard issue list at least once in their career....big deal.
The artistry is in steering clear of clichés. This is why the Sherlock Holmes series and TV shows such as House are smash hits. Professionally speaking, they’re cookie-cut characters (medical, law enforcement of sorts) thrown into extraordinary situations. However, it’s their complex, often contradictory personalities we find riveting. It’s the human element.
Personally, I love it when characters go off the rails! Flip the script - let the heroine do the chasing. If Prince Charming is too boring, give him a foot fetish. Cookie-cut professions are fine as long as there's depth. No one remembers stock, paint by numbers characters, period!
Anyway, my challenge was to write a medical tale devoid of the typical “Susie, your cheeks are quite rosy, young lady. Come here. Doctor Bob has just what you need. Take off that shirt and show me those boobs!” sorta bollocks.
No problem! I turned on Helicopter Girl's Satan’s Seventh Bride and finished the rough draft overnight. The next morning, I gave it to Daniel to check for plot gaps (it’s a process). He returned it hours later marked with a big happy face and a few notes in the margin. Two drafts and a fight with my fellow scribes later, I have decided to post the story for all to see.
Gotta run and ask (beg) Lydia to edit it for me. Lydia, I know you're reading this. :)
**UPDATE**
Waiting to get the edits from lovely Lydia...she's been an absolute gem. I made a few changes (as usual) so the draft was a late send. :)
Tomorrow I'm posting a new short story entitled "House Calls". What began as a friendly challenge between scribblers has morphed into something entirely different.
Let me explain....
According to the folks over at mediabistro.com who, after analyzing 15,000 Harlequin books, came up with the most popular professions for heroes in romance novels.
1. Doctor
2. Cowboy
3. Boss
4. Prince
5. Rancher
6. Knight
7. Surgeon
8. King
9. Bodyguard
10. Sheriff
No shocker there! Every scribe has picked from the standard issue list at least once in their career....big deal.
The artistry is in steering clear of clichés. This is why the Sherlock Holmes series and TV shows such as House are smash hits. Professionally speaking, they’re cookie-cut characters (medical, law enforcement of sorts) thrown into extraordinary situations. However, it’s their complex, often contradictory personalities we find riveting. It’s the human element.
Personally, I love it when characters go off the rails! Flip the script - let the heroine do the chasing. If Prince Charming is too boring, give him a foot fetish. Cookie-cut professions are fine as long as there's depth. No one remembers stock, paint by numbers characters, period!
Anyway, my challenge was to write a medical tale devoid of the typical “Susie, your cheeks are quite rosy, young lady. Come here. Doctor Bob has just what you need. Take off that shirt and show me those boobs!” sorta bollocks.
No problem! I turned on Helicopter Girl's Satan’s Seventh Bride and finished the rough draft overnight. The next morning, I gave it to Daniel to check for plot gaps (it’s a process). He returned it hours later marked with a big happy face and a few notes in the margin. Two drafts and a fight with my fellow scribes later, I have decided to post the story for all to see.
Gotta run and ask (beg) Lydia to edit it for me. Lydia, I know you're reading this. :)
**UPDATE**
Waiting to get the edits from lovely Lydia...she's been an absolute gem. I made a few changes (as usual) so the draft was a late send. :)
Spread The Word
12 Responses to "**UPDATE** "House Calls" Pre-Launch, and a Stock Character Rant" 
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said this on 23 Feb 2012 4:00:06 PM CDT
Guurrlll!! I hate stock characters. I threw Three Doors Down across the damn room!
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said this on 23 Feb 2012 4:14:39 PM CDT
I didn't like Three Doors Down because they sold it as an interracial book when it wasn't. The characters were stereotypical single mom meets hot neighbor trash. I didn't finish it.
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said this on 23 Feb 2012 4:20:57 PM CDT
Oh goodness! Sounds interesting. Have you tried contacting the author? We love constructive feedback.
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said this on 23 Feb 2012 4:22:05 PM CDT
Ha! You're soooo busted! You're supposed to be resting.
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said this on 23 Feb 2012 4:25:57 PM CDT
I worked out. Had a donut. Napped. Went out to lunch with a friend. Briefly worked out again. Picked up the kids. Now I just want to veg for a while.
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said this on 23 Feb 2012 4:30:18 PM CDT
You need a nanny...or at least a taxi.
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said this on 23 Feb 2012 5:23:47 PM CDT
That song is sexy as hell Ms. Tracy! I added it to iTunes. I know what I'm doing tonight.
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said this on 23 Feb 2012 5:26:21 PM CDT
My readers are horn-balls. Don't blame me if your woman gets knocked up. Belts and braces, guys!
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said this on 23 Feb 2012 5:28:34 PM CDT
Well God damn! Antonio beat me to the punch. That song is hot. Thanks Tracy. Will you post your playlist?
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said this on 23 Feb 2012 5:39:15 PM CDT
Antonio is fast. You have to be on your toes. LOL! I don't have a playlist for this particular story. I will add a playlist to my YT channel for the others eventually. Sorry I haven't posted a music playlist in some time.
Sherece, bless her, proofed "Skin" and suggested the song by the same name by Rhianna (I think that's right). I hadn't heard it until then but it fit perfectly. I'll get around to having trailers made one day. |
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said this on 24 Feb 2012 7:29:51 PM CDT
One of the keys to avoiding cliche is to set challenges, things that you wouldn't think would yeild results. That in mind...
Challenge for erotica writers. Character 1. Mad Scientist determined to rule the world! Character 2. Household repair (wo)man. Make me believe the romance and/or erotica! ;) |