We've covered cross gender writing before, particularly if you've taken my class. I talk about the basic stuff in terms of getting to really know your character but what I usually gloss over is just how deep YOU the AUTHOR will go, what lengths will you go to in order to craft a deeply emotional character that readers can connect to.
Sure it's important to remember motivation but what gets tough is finding the motivation to save the hero or heroine when they're so hell bent on destruction that they can't find their way. Readers love jaded characters, JR Ward's sales (among others) are a testament to that. That's a case when some outside help is needed, usually in the form of a sidekick or best friend.
Or in my case, a second lover and a bottle. I possibly could have done without the bottle but the problem was with the story I recently sold to Red Sage, the character was an addict. Yeah, I went pretty far in my research to truly portray a jaded, wounded hero who needed more than just love. I'm in NO WAY suggesting you pick up vices or habits to dig into your characters heads, but to be fair I was in my early 20s when I started that story. My life was a chaotic mess and the music I listened to resonated deep within me. Writers seek all forms of inspiration, whether they know it or not, the subconscious plays a huge part in character creation.
The best way to remain objective to the voices in our heads is to get them on paper, bang them out then start asking the difficult questions. Why are you like this? What would fix it? How could we create the scenario given the world you're in that would allow you to realize the truth of romance?
That truth by the way is this: I love you so much more than the need to destroy myself.
Substitute 'destroy myself' with whatever behavior pattern your character (read, your hero) exhibits, then create that world and scenario. For Joséf in ENDANGERD, he hasn't learned the lesson in the first book, but he comes a step closer because of the way I chose to split the love he receives. Livía, his soul mate, gives attention to the demons in his heart, the ones who tell him he's not worth loving. Her female lover, Isabella, tends to the demons in his head. The ones that call him to go out in a Last Action Hero manner. She appeals to the logic in him.
To really make the impact and have you, the reader, root for the romance, non-traditional as it is, I had to dig into the core of fans who read ménage romances, and who enjoy and understand it from the paranormal perspective. This story meant a lot to me, and ten years later, it still does. So much so for both my career and my heart that I can't wait to share the beginning of Joséf's adventures with you, dear writer who happens to also read romance.
I'm hoping in the long run I can find something to pull me out of me, when I'm writing but the pre release reviews have been pretty positive, and I'm not sure I want to mess with that formula. For you however, the talented writer, understanding what motivates your audience outside of the typical desire to escape reality, will help you capture a writing formula that works for you.
Proclaimed by the Publishing industry as the Bad Boy of Romance, Sascha started writing fourteen years ago. His erotic romances have been listed under the Night Owl Romance and Road to Romance’s Recommended read list, and he's been nominated for a CAPA by The Romance Studio
Former host of The Unnamed Romance Show on Radio Dentata Sascha continues to write for Red Sage, Decadent Publishing, Sizzler Editions and Total E-bound. Find him at http://saschaillyvichauthor.com Agency Representation provided by The Corvisiero Agency
Editor for Sizzler Editions Intoxication Erotic Romance line, Sascha is also part of the WriteSex Panel, a blog group defining erotica for writers in any genre! Find us at http://www.write-sex.com
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