Aargh.  The blasted phrase “Show, don’t Tell”.  This is the bane of authors, more specifically newbies who are learning the trade, such as myself.  What exactly is Show don’t Tell.  Well….its “show” the story, don’t “tell” the story.  Sounds simple?  Not.  Telling the story draws the reader into the book.  The five senses should be utilized.  Here is my small attempt to show.

Touch  ~ Fiona reclined upon the sofa, its cool leather warming to her naked back. 

Touch and sight ~ The fireplace radiated a warm glow on her silken limbs, its flame casting shadow and light, dancing through her curves and secret valleys.

Sound ~ She heard footsteps, Harold, coming down the hall.  With grace she drew one leg up onto the sofa, her arm curved elegantly over the back, and awaited his entrance. 

Sound and sight ~ The door creaked open,  the sharp inhale of his breath pleased her.  It had been worth waiting for him, naked before the fire.  She arched an eyebrow and dared him to capture her heart.

Smell, taste and touch ~  He accepted the challenge and in three quick strides reached the sofa, kneeled beside her and gathered her in his arms.  His firm lips plundered hers, then moved to capture her pulse, fluttering at the base of her neck.  Searing, open mouthed kisses along her collarbone, down through the sweet valley, and taking what she offered so generously.  She filled her hands with his thick, ebony curls and held him to her breast.  His clean, fresh smell of outdoors and leather, with an underlying hint of musk, filled her senses.  She was his for the taking.

Or you could say.  Fiona lay on the couch and waited for Harold to come upstairs.  The door opened and he entered the room.  He saw her laying there and soon was licking her breast.  He smelled good.

Which one would you rather read?

Easter.  The portent of spring.  Our thoughts begin to travel to green trees, grass, barbeques and family gatherings.  It’s a great time of year.  I love spring.  My greatest joy is to drive down a road, look at the trees budding and know in a few weeks they’ll be in full leaf.

My family came for Easter dinner today.  My husband, two sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.  Busy in the kitchen I missed visiting a lot, but when we all sat down and my granddaughter proceeded to tell me about her day, it was worth every second. 

Treasure these moments.  If you have someone you love and they’re close by, give them a hug.  Don’t wait for a special occasion to let them know they’re important to you, do it now.  You may not have tomorrow.

I’m going to hug my husband right now.  Happy Easter dear reader.

Welcome to Where Romance Lies.  Here you will find some interviews I have done with published and aspiring to be published authors (myself included).  I will post excerpts and chapters from my WIP’s (Works/Wrecks in Progress) and once in a while pose a question that will hopefully make one think and take stock of where they are in life.

I hope you enjoy and come back again.

If you could speak to anyone, living or dead, who would it be…and why?

My guest today is Amy Ruttan who is published with Ellora’s Cave, Cerridwen Press and Eternal Press.

Welcome to Where Romance Lies.

So far I’ve counted six novels published, two more releasing this year and you’re working hard on something new. Amy loves hearing from readers, you can find out more about Amy and her books at her website www.amyruttan.com or follow her on Twitter www.twitter.com/ruttanamy .

Thank you for taking time out of your writing schedule to do this interview with me.

1. You write passionate/erotic romance, as well as Historical and Sci-Fi. That can be a full plate. What drew you these genres?

I think what drew me to these genres were they were genres I enjoyed reading. Sometimes it’s a full plate, but I don’t want to limit myself, I enjoy a very eclectic taste and it keeps my muse hopping.

2. When did you realize writing was your calling?

This may sound trite, but I was about 8 years old. I had a vivid imagination and I was staring at my copy of ‘On The Banks Of Plum Creek’ by Laura Ingalls Wilder and I thought to myself, I want to do that when I get older. Not be a Pioneer mind you, but write.

3. Any challenges you’d like to share? What keeps you awake at night?

Right now my big challenge is my 9 month old. I’ve been finding it harder to find time to write, so it’s been taking me a bit longer to finish my manuscripts. Again, when I send something out on submission, I still get stressed about it. If you think it’s easier after you’re published think again. It’s harder. As my writing matures, I also find it’s harder to shut off my internal editor and doubt weasels.

4. Tell us a secret on how you get your motivational juices flowing.

I listen to a lot of music. If I’m really sapped, I go for a drive, or watch a movie. Especially a movie I’ve seen a million times, one which makes me feel warm and cozy. I also re-read the books on my keeper shelf.

5. Any books or authors you’d like to brag about?

There are so many out there I enjoy, and so many friends I don’t think I can name them all. This post can get very long.

6. Can you give us a sneak peek into your next WIP?

Well, I can tell you about my two releases coming out this year from Eternal Press. Books 1 and 2 in a series I’ve been writing. They are fantasy romances. Enemy Enchantress is coming out June 7, 2010 and Sorceress from the Sea is coming out September 7, 2010. I’m really excited about them coming out.

I’ll be releasing more info, sharing the covers as things get approved.

7. Give us one descriptive word that could describe you.

Eclectic.

A few days ago my friend, and fellow critique partner, featured me on her blog.  Rhonda Lee Carver interviewed me and printed some of my WIP.  Such fun.  I shall return the favour.  It made me think what a small community the world has become.  In this day of instant communication, you can establish a friendship with someone and never enter their home.  This has replaced pen pals some of us had through snail mail.

My pen pal was also named Susan and she lived in India.  I wonder what happened to her over the years?  We lost touch, we were only ten at the time.  I’ve discovered that I enjoy the internet and some of the social networking available, because it has brought back the art of conversing through words.  Most of us give careful thought before we actually ’send’ the message, and I like that.  Now we have to work on our spelling and grammar.  I’m bad.  I type too fast and spend half my time back spacing to correct the type-o.

So…back to Rhonda’s blog.  She interviewed me and her blog can be found at www.rhondaleecarver@blogspot.com

Check it out.  She’s sparked the idea that I would like to feature fellow thespians as well.  Check back to see who I can get to agree to an interview.  Maybe it will be you….

I’ve gone and done it…removed 10,000 words from my story.  What was I thinking?  I need my head examined.

The old adage of write your story, then re-write, is true!  I used to think, why would you cut parts of your work?  Now I know.  The feet of my heroine are dragging me down a whole new path.  I’m discovering a new side to her and she’s fresh again. So…delete, delete, delete.

I’ll keep you posted.  (blog humour, just go with it and laugh, okay?)

When you think of the phrase “Where Romance Lies” does your mind travel to the image of a loved one?  Mine does.  My husband of 27 years is my romance.  Oh, he’s not romantic at all.  But I know he loves me with every fibre of his being.  He cares for me, thinks of me first in everything he does, and laughs at my jokes (again and again).  This is romance. 

We passed the first stages of passion, excitement, flutters in the stomach when I heard his voice on the other end of the phone.  Worried about what would he think if I told him what I really thought of his square toed cowboy boots. **shudder**  Then we moved onto kids, bills and jobs.  We almost forgot how to talk to one another without the sentence starting with “Do you know what your son did today?”  Finally we both realized when these little people moved out of our house (still waiting for one more to go), it was just us.  That’s when we re-discovered our passion, excitement and the flutter returned to my stomach when I heard his voice calling me on the phone.

Let me tell you from experience.  Even after 27 years my man is hot!  And the added bonus is this, we know each other so intimately we’re not afraid to try new things with each other.  Want to know why?  Because it doesn’t matter.  We love and accept without judgement.  I’d rather be in love and making love now than go back to our fast and furious youth.  I adore this stage of our romance.

This is for my sweetie.  I love you, Robbie.

It’s Friday afternoon, snow is blowing and I have only two more days of freedom before I sludge my way back to the real world job.   Ick.   If I didn’t like money so much I’d blow it off…..also, paying bills could become tiresome without said job.  Ho hum, yada yada yada.

I’ve come across some more writing tips.  I’ll be posting them either tomorrow or Sunday.  I’m trying to get my head around POV and getting closer to my characters thoughts and actions.  Just when I think I’ve got it I see where I could have done better. 

Is our writing never complete?  Nope.