Theme Matters. Or What Cupcake Wars Taught Me About Theme by Lori Wilde

Theme Matters.

Reality shows are all the rage on TV and one of my

favorites is Cupcake Wars.

 

Cupcakes pull viewers in.

Wars (conflict) keep them hooked.

But unlike what the title suggests, the show isn’t about food fights with miniature, frosted cakes.

Rather, it’s about creating tasty pastries that also follow the theme of a gala event where the winner of the cupcake war will showcase their cupcakes. Such events have included—the Rose Parade, Valentine’s Day, I Love Lucy 60^th anniversary and the Tony Awards.

Here’s how it works. There are four competitors and three rounds of competition. The first round is for taste only. The second round is for taste and decorations 50/50 scores. In the final round the bakers must bake 1000 cakes in two hours and create a floor display—to house the cupcakes—that represents the theme of the event.

Part of the fun of watching Cupcake Wars is trying to guess who is going to win. It’s fairly easy to figure out who will get eliminated first. It’s the baker who forgot an ingredient or burned the caramel or broke down under the pressure. But when it gets down to the last two contestants, I guessed right only 50% of the time until I realized something very important.

It’s not always the best bakers with the tastiest cupcakes that win.

Huh?

That’s right. The best tasting cakes don’t always win. Rather,  it’s the baker who most closely followed the theme who comes out on top.

 

Which leads me to the title of this blog—What Cupcake Wars Taught Me About Theme.

Theme matters. 

      If it’s a Christmas theme… 

Don’t use a Halloween decoration.

Let’s extrapolate the cupcake lesson to writing. Theme matters. Just as much in your books as in Cupcake Wars. Theme unifies the story in a way that nothing else can. It acts like a magnifying glass, showing the reader what central idea the author wishes to impart. Theme enriches, edifies, and electrifies a story. Without the direction of theme, a book will wander and meander, go off on tangents, and leave the reader feeling dissatisfied, even though they might not be able to say why.

A writer might deliver a tasty story, but if they can’t tie it up with a pretty thematic bow, they’ll be beaten every time by the author who can. Ultimately, the writer who knows how to effectively use theme is the writer who will win the war for readers’ attention.

How do you feel about theme? Do you consciously consider it before you write? Or is it something you address during revisions? Have you ever seen Cupcake Wars? If so, can you understand what the heck Florian Bellanger is saying?

About Lori Wilde
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Lori Wilde, has sold sixty-nine works of romantic fiction to four major New York Publishing houses. She holds a bachelors degree in nursing from Texas Christian University and a certificate in forensics. She volunteers as a sexual assault first responder for Freedom House, a shelter for battered women. She has served as the RWA National conference workshop chair and PAN retreat chair. Lori is a two time RITA finalist and has four times been nominated for Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. She’s won numerous other awards and is a popular online instructor and workshop speaker. Her books have been translated into 22 languages and excerpted in: Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Complete Woman, All You and Quick and Simple magazines. She lives in Texas with her husband, Bill.

http://wildelori.blogspot.com  

http://loriwilde.com

I hope you will join my class

Plotting From Theme

Hosted by

Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal

Romance Writers

This 4 week class starts September 10th

For more information click HERE

Five Tips for Writing Paranormals by Rebecca Zanetti

Happy July, everyone!  I wasn't able to find somebody to post today at FF&P, so guest what?  Yep.  You get me.  :) 

I think the key to writing a good paranormal is to make the world somehow normal for your reader.  Through the last year, I've come up with five tips for writing a paranormal romance:

1)      Remember even if your hero is a six foot genius vampire with huge pecs and perfectly rugged features who single-handedly has saved humanity three times…he has to have a flaw somewhere.  And no…being too kind, endowed, or brilliant don’t count.  My favorites are when the character has to fight his own flaw, usually in the nick of time to beat the bad guy.

2)      Remember that your reader probably isn’t a six foot genius vampire…nor is she dating one.  So it’s crucial to find a way for your reader to relate to the characters.  I have two sisters and a strong family life, and so my vampires deal with family life daily.  The Dark Protector Series is about five brothers and how they not only find love but work together to save their race.

3)      Remember that whatever exciting, complex, deep world you build in Book 1…you’re stuck with for the rest of the series.  Leave yourself some wiggle room.  Also, you don’t have to build your entire world in book one.  You just need enough of your world for that book to make sense.

4)      Remember that there are tons of paranormal books out there—make your world different.  Put your unique spin on it.  I’m a lawyer and things have to make a sort of logical sense to me.  So I had to figure out HOW a male vampire (who in my world is very much alive) could make his mate immortal—turns out genetics and the mutation of chromosomes made sense.  It was a different spin, at least enough of one that my editor was intrigued.

5)      Finally, don’t hold yourself back.  As writers, we often stop and think about how the next editor/reader/reviewer/our first grade teacher/our neighbor…etc.  will react to our secret little worlds.  Don’t worry about them.  Let yourself go and have some fun with creating.

BIO:  Rebecca Zanetti is the author of the sexy Dark Protector Series from Kensington.  The fourth book in the series, CONSUMED, released on July 5^th.  To find Rebecca on the web or to read an excerpt, drop by her website:  http://rebeccazanetti.com/

World Builder

By: Taige Crenshaw

One of the things I love most about reading and writing is the world the story is set it. It doesn’t matter if it is contemporary, historical, paranormal, sci-fi, mystery or any other genre build a world that will make the reader want more.

This is what makes some books automatic buys. The world is another character. It compliments the cast of people you have created. Having the world they inhabit makes them more than a shell. Books with a captivating world will make a reader want to read more. It’s all about the atmosphere that you set. Let the reader visualize they are there in that world. Make them imagine they actually walking down the street with your characters.

When I create my own worlds in the books that I write I strive for a feeling. The feelings that will make you want to live in the world I created. There are so many intricacies to building a world. You have to engage all the senses. The sounds you hear, scents that make the place familiar, sights that you see, the feel of the place, and the taste of its local cuisine. Once these are engaged it brings richness to the world.

To get an idea of how to create a captivating world – think of a place that you enjoy going. One that you talk about with others. Once you have that visual in mind then break down what is it about that place that draws you. Write it down using all the five senses. Be detailed as possible. Then go and become a World Builder.

****

Taige Crenshaw is a multi-published author with books available at Ellora's Cave Publishing, Liquid Silver Books, Loose Id, Total-E-Bound and Summerhouse Publishing. Taige has been enthralled with the written word from time she picked up her first book. It wasn’t long before she started to make up her own tales of romance. With novels set in today, in alternate dimensions, or in the future she writes with adventure, fun sassy heroine’s, and sexy hero’s. Always hard at work creating new and exciting places Taige can be found curled up with a hot novel with exciting characters when she is not creating her own. Join her in the fun, frolic, interesting people and far reaches of the world in her novels. You can find out more about Taige at her website: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com or blog: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/blog.

Silken Inferno. Book 2 in the Phoenix Intelligence Agency from Summerhouse Publishing

When the past comes calling it brings unexpected revelations that must be faced.

Vaughn Saunders expects his return to Phoenix Intelligence Agency to not be an easy one. He has some unfinished business to settle with Allure, his ex-partner and the woman he wants badly. Before they can move forward they have to get past their complicated history. Getting beyond it will be worth the risk… at least for him. She has his heart, body and soul. He craves Allure’s body and her soul, yet does not expect to have her heart, since it’s already taken by another. Having what she is able to give is all he wants…but does he dare go for it all.

Allure Davis never expected to have to face the one man who she trusted at her back until he betrayed her. His reasoning might have been to save her, but with his leaving her, she knew she could only depend on her family. Yet in her heart he is one of them. Vaughn’s return throws her for a tailspin and she has to face not only the past but also her ultimate desire. There is a need burning deep within her soul that only Vaughn can quench.

To bring two strong-willed souls together it takes a Silken Inferno, burning to meld them together from now to eternity and beyond …

Can Everyone Write?

Musings from Linda Thomas-Sundstrom

Hi FF&P members...

I'm Linda Thomas-Sundstrom, a paranormal romance author. You'll probably recognize my name from the loop. A really quick bio for me would list Kensington Brava, Dorchester, and Harlequin Nocturne as my publishers, and with nine projects for Silhouette and Harlequin under my belt, I'm currently under contract for more Nocturnes of the vampire and werewolf persuasion. Sheer bliss!

I've been asked to write an article on craft, but have been pondering a conversation I recently had with someone who contacted me with this question - one I seem to get all the time, as I'm sure most writers do:

"Can anyone write?"

Our standard reply is always: "Of course." Because we know that anyone can. Heck, we are!

But the conversation went deeper than that, and slightly more into the realm of reality (sorry paranormal folks - LOL) when I was asked about the "process" of getting published. This was from a person who has never set one word on paper.

Thinking this was like asking how to run a marathon without ever having gone for a jog, skipping all the training and work in between, my own musings were eye-opening for us both. I'd like to share.

Here was my reply . . .

"As for the process... well, I just don't know how to tap into the many kinds of talents people have. I have pals who are fantastic artists, and I can't draw a stick figure. Some people sing like angels. Some run like they have deer in their genes. I write because I have to. It's actually a compulsion. Words are like manna from heaven to me. I have to get words on paper and create worlds for them to live in. I've been writing one thing or another since I was eight years old! A true passion. I am driven to write, to create . . . And the compulsion gets worse as I age.

I do think that people have special gifts in some areas. I have heard over and over again that anyone can write. Yes, I believe this is true. But also, anyone can sing. Right? The difference lies in the degree to which a talent can be born and developed, added to the sheer unadulterated persistence of character, and lots of practice.

As for getting published, writing is only part of that process. The business side is not easy! Meeting deadlines and coming up with new ideas are not easy! Self-promotion is not easy! I honestly do believe that everyone can write something if they really want to . . . but if the goal is to get "published," that's a whole other matter. The statistics are that about one percent of all people who write, or want to write, ever get published by a New York publisher. Then again, at present, anyone can self-publish, or publish with an e-book company, which opens up all sorts of avenues for all of levels of writers and their personal satisfaction.

Still, writing starts with writing. Before anything else, there has to be words, sentences, paragraphs, pages, chapters, and a completed manuscript. This takes time and dedication, because the odds are also that a major percentage of people who want to write, and desire to get published, never do finish penning a single book. Or take the time to study the craft of writing."

Ah, yes. And there was another question from this person, after all that. Here it is:

"How does a person know if they are worthy to write?"

What? Oh my gosh! I wonder what YOU would reply to this one? I'm still thinking about it.

Because "worthy" might differ from person to person. Right? Does it mean self-satisfaction, or does it mean getting published? Two extremes in concept. For instance, I'd be writing if I'd never gotten published, because again, I have to write. Once I had learned the craft and developed my own voice and style, I geared my writing ideas toward specific New York publishers by making myself aware of what kind of things they wanted. With some talent (thank you mom and dad!), a lot of luck, and maybe even some mystical forces at work on my behalf... not to mention sheer dogged persistence . . . I made it into the one percent. And I'm thrilled every darn day to see my books on the shelf! I know that if people actually continue to buy my books, hopefully I'll be able to keep on publishing for quite a while. But I will write, no matter what.

I don't want to ever discourage anyone with a true desire to write. We all need encouragement and all the help and nourishment that others who have finished a manuscript can supply. I frequently send fairy dust over the air waves to friends who are just getting started, and I've offered to lend my Muse to a few. I offer hankies when needed, murmur "You can do it" to them and to myself on a regular basis, and have checked out sets of pom-poms on line in case I need to shake things up on our behalf.

The fact is that none of us know if we have real talent and fresh ideas until we try the very thing we want to do. As all of us on the FF&P site know, even if we're willing to do what it takes, and try, unless it's absolutely a labor of love...

Well, you get the picture.

So, I've shared this, and hope you might have something else to offer on the subject.

Were you encouraged to write?

Have you been writing since you were a kid, because you HAVE TO?

Did you realize how difficult - blissful writing could be?

Does writing make you so very happy, you hardly want to do anything else?

Please share, if you have a minute.

I'm here today, listening, and so are a lot of others.

We're in this crazy business together.

I love nearly every minute of it.

Cheers-

Linda

www.lindathomas-sundstrom.com

Linda's latest releases from Nocturne in her Vampire Moons series are: "Golden Vampire" (full book) and "Night Born," a Bite. She also has a fluffy, girly paranormal novella recent release, titled "Veronica and the Vampire."

NIGHT BORN

Love and hate, vampire and slayer—opposites too closely connected for their own good?

After her mother is nearly killed, slayer-in-waiting Danika Douglas vows to destroy the vampire she believes is responsible—Alexander Kent. An experienced vampire older than sin itself, Alexander possesses dark good looks and a strong sensual allure.

Danika knows a slayer and her target are chained together by fate, compelled to find each other. Yet she never expected them to share such a powerful attraction, leaving Danika torn between revenge and desire….

"What an Editor Wants" November Workshop Presented by Patricia Tanner, Senior Editor with Wild Rose Press

This two week workshop will give you a head's up on how to make your manuscript stand out in the crowd as well as a Q&A session. You'll discuss what grabs an editor's attention and get information to help you make your story the best you can and grab an editor's attention.

There will be examples on key elements such show vs tell, making a character stand out, grabbing their attention with hooks, and passive voice.

The second week you can submit your first paragraph, your query, and your synopsis for her suggestions.


The Agenda:
Day 1: Do Your Homework- know the publisher or agent you are querying
Day 2: Does your story start in the right place?
Day 3: GMC
Day 4: POV
Day 5: Characters that Pop
Day 6: Show vs Tell
Day 7: Self Editing
Day 8: Query
Day 9: Synopsis
Day 10: Etiquette

Wild Rose Press Senior Editor for the Cactus Rose line, Patricia Tanner, has been with this publisher since they opened their doors in 2006. They are a writer friendly publisher of e-book and print books.When you receive a rejection it will explain exactly why and how you can improve your writing. The Wild Rose Press publishes only romance in several lengths and 14 lines.

Registration Details

For more information contact: workshops @ romance-ffp.com

Dealing with Criticism

Please welcome our PAN author Kelly Gay.

I posted some of this on my blog last year, but wanted to freshin it up and talk more about criticism after a great conversation I had with another author at this year's RWA national convention. Criticism is something every writer must face no matter where they are in their career. And the best advice I've heard and use myself is: Be Prepared. Know *ahead of time* how you're going to approach negative feedback.

Criticism is your friend. Repeat after me. Criticism is your friend. I'm talking those constructive notes from CPs, judges, editors, agents . . . Most of them, even ones that might seem harsh (or are harsh) have something of value. The ones who slam you, offer nothing constructive or useful and seem to be taking their crappy day out on you -- those can go in the trash. Those only make you second guess yourself.


The notes you receive could be something you already know, deep down, needs to be addressed. It could be something you haven't thought of. And it could totally go against everything you believe in where your book is concerned. So what do I do when this happens?

I listen. To every single thing. Even if, at first, it totally doesn't 'ring' with me.

Here's how I prepare, my rule of thumb -- if anything at all (even something as small as one word) pulls a reader out of my story to write a note, it's potentially something that could pull *another* reader out of my story. So give every comment and note serious consideration. Try to figure out why that particular thing stuck out.

Often times, I'll get notes that are spot on and sometimes I know immediately a note doesn't jive with the story I want to tell. It could even make me bristle at first, but I have to take a moment and remember my rule -- there is a reason that particular thing caused the reader to stop reading, and I don't want another reader being pulled out of the story in the future.

In the end, I might not address the note the way the reader saw it, but I do give it time and thought, and usually I'll end up putting my own spin on things and amend the story in some way. And there are times when I don't, but that's only after I give it a lot of consideration, look at things from all angles, and talk to the person who gave the note (most often great things come from discussions like this).

While criticism can sometimes be debilitating and make you want to quit writing altogether, it can also be really helpful to your story. If it hurts, if it makes you angry or sad, allow yourself those feelings. Get it out. But don't wallow in them. Take a deep breath, take a step back, and reevaluate those notes or comments. Create your own rule. Decide in advance how you want to approach negative criticism. It helps to be prepared. :-)



About:
Kelly is the author of THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS, the first in a new urban fantasy series debuting from Pocket Books November 24, 2009.
http://www.kellygay.net/
http://www.kellygay.blogspot.com/

How to Show by Using Voice

In the course of a discussion on Show Don't Tell on our loop, we've asked FF&P member, Jeanie Ryan to share her take on the subject.

For some, showing comes naturally. The rest of us have to work at it. I take a different approach. By concentrating on crafting the characters’ voices, I end up showing not only the scene, but the character.

Every word is an opportunity to reveal something about the character. This applies to more than dialogue and action. The character is the narrator and every word is a reflection on her. It’s a word she chooses and those choices make up her voice.

Here’s an example from my current work in progress.

The original first sentence:

“With trembling hands, Janie carefully slid the fireproof box out from under her bed.”

This doesn’t reveal much about the character.

The rewrite:

“With hands trembling, Janie eased the fireproof box out from beneath her bed. The red surface seemed to glow, giving it life in a room shrouded in early morning’s darkness. She stared at the closed box, her distorted reflection making accusations she couldn’t bring herself to voice. She closed her eyes, trying to blot out the memories, but that’s what today was about, remembering. Janie’s cheeks grew damp. Great. She hadn’t even started and already she was crying. Nine years had passed and it never got any easier.”

This paragraph sets up the heroine’s voice. She’s interested in light and how things look. Emotions are the core of her character, so much of her narration is spent on them. By doing this, she ends up showing them. Her word choice has a certain flow and gives her worldview. I didn’t think about showing, just how do I reveal her voice. I did all those things showing does without even worrying about it.

The hero is focused on thought and doesn’t just sense things, he interprets them. He does a lot of musing. This musing ends up showing the scene, because he has to say what he’s musing about.

Many of us fill out questionnaires and interview our characters. That gives us a sense of them as people, but what about as storytellers? What does your character notice first? What does she notice about it? In answering those two simple questions, you have shown something about the scene and the character. What does he think about what he sees? What does she feel? Simple questions that lead to more showing. Is he straight forward or does he think in metaphors? Is she an optimist? The word choices you make to reveal these will show the scene, as well as the character. They are also how you craft the character’s voice.

Usually I have to get the story down with lots of telling and go back. As my husband says “this is a good outline. Now you have to write the story.” Often four pages becomes thirteen.

When you’ve revealed the character through their voice, your crit partners won’t tell you “show don’t tell.” They’ll remark how emotional and vivid your writing is.