I am often intrigued with your secondary characters - Ted and Katherine in Perfect are two favourites.
ANSWER: If you've ever liked the secondary characters in my novels, just WAIT until you meet Samantha Littleton and Mitchell McCord in STWOM!!
These two people are so marvellous together that their relationship became almost as compelling as that of the two main characters. Instead of restricting them to their "secondary place" I decided to let them shine. I couldn't help it. Even so, pulling something like that off is a very, very tricky feat for a writer. It was worth it, though, because Sam and McCord enrich the novel so much!
I'm just glad I didn't see the S & S manuscript submission guidelines I just came across on our site tonight, though. The guidelines say very clearly, "One man, one woman storylines are preferred."
It is a really good thing I never have any information about what's what's good and what's bad to do, because I am always doing it wrong--and getting away with it, fortunately.
To give you an idea of how serious I am about that, WHITNEY got rejected by every publisher in New York except Pocket. Editors all over New York turned it down because "Regency historicals were not supposed to be emotionally intense or intensely sensual. They were also not supposed to be long novels." They told me to cut all that out of it and shorten it by 1/2. I doubled it's length instead--and made it even more sensual and emotionally intense, but I did all that in a fit of frustrated amateur indignation.
I mean, When I wrote WHITNEY, I knew the other regencies were short and fluffy, but I didn't know it was a "Law."
Anyway, when no one wanted to buy WML, I decided to try to write a contemporary romance for Harlequin Superromance line, so I sat down and did it--my way, without knowing guidelines. I didn't know there was such a thing as guidelines.
But I thought there was room for some great innovations in a Harlequin Superromance. I had no idea you weren't allowed to have a dual point of view in a Harlequin (only the heroine's point of view was allowed). I had no idea you couldn't open with the hero (you had to open with the heroine). I had no idea humor wasn't allowed, so I loaded TENDER TRIUMPH with humor, mutiple points of view, and I opened it with the hero.
Harlequin bought it anyway, but the vice president who made those rules said he would have to be the editor because I broke them all. Rules like that? Whod'a thunk it? Not me. The things I did best, always seemed to be an offense to publishing rules I didn't know existed.
By the time SOMETHING WONDERFUL was published--and made the NY Times list which was a rarity in those days for an historical romance--I was feeling pretty confident and clear about my writing. A week after SW made the NYT list, I was scheduled to give the keynote address to a southern Romance Writers Group.
Now, one of the scenes I was the proudest of in SW, was the very first "kissing scene" between the hero and heroine. I thought it was so endearing because it switched points of view between Jordan and Alex in every sentence. And they were thinking very, very different things.
I was a few minutes early getting down to the banquet room for the keynote address so I stopped in the nearest conference room where editors were giving a seminar. As I sat down in the back row, the first question I heard was "Why is it wrong to switch points of view in the same chapter?"
The editors explained why it was wrong. My God, I'd just switched points of view in every alternate sentence of a single scene.
And I'd never written in my life an entire chapter with only one point of view.
The greatest "break" in my publishing career was having an editor at Pocket who kept me in the dark about all rules. I phoned her from the Altlant conference and said "I didn't know you weren't supposed to change points of view in the same chapter! I do that all the time!"
She just laughed, and while she was still laughing, she said, "Yes you do, and you do it very well, too."
Now, it's okay to do that, I hear.
QUESTION: I wonder do you have plans to develop any of your other secondary characters further? I am especially interested in Jess from NW and I have always loved Roddy Carstairs.
ANSWER: Re Roddy Carstairs, I've been asked if I was going to make him the hero of his own book many times in the past. Here's my answer, excusively for our BB members. Lean close, while I whisper this to you. Years ago, I mentioned this phenemonon to my editor and she thought the same thing I did about Roddy, so I know I'm right. Ready? "Psst. Roddy is....gay."
I'd love to do a full-length Nicki book someday. I was heartsick when I realized I'd done a short story for Nicki instead of turning that into a novel.
posted
Judith, your rule-breaking has made what your books are today. I can't imagine Whitney, My Love ever being turned down. It's the best novel ever written.
I also love how your points of view jump back and forth. Speaking of Alex and Jordan's first kiss scene, I love this scene when Alex asked Jordan where she should put her hands while he kissed her:
quote:"The point I was trying to make," he said mildly, "is that it's perfectly all right for you to touch me."
I don't want to, she thought frantically.
You will, he silently promised with an inner smile, correctly interpreting her mutinous expression.
To know both points of view helps me root for both characters at the same time.
Aha! Roddy is gay. Thanks for clearing that up for us, Judith. You once told us a long time ago, but we could not find your previous post.
Do I dare ask if there is any hope for Jess Jessup's future? I have been keeping him company for you until you decide what to do with him.
Karen
[This message has been edited by KaReN JeSsUp (edited 01-02-2003).]
Posts: 3672 | From: At a crop party with Clayton | Registered: Apr 2000
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LOL .. that figures why Roddy doesn't have his own novel yet
I didn't realize being a writer had so many guidelines. Please let me give you my respects to you and all the authors who take care of every single detail in guidelines and are also able to give us so much happiness and joy with your stories.
posted
KAREN, This is exactly the scene I was talking about!
I also love how your points of view jump back and forth. Speaking of Alex and Jordan's first kiss scene, I love this scene when Alex asked Jordan where she should put her hands while he kissed her:
quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The point I was trying to make," he said mildly, "is that it's perfectly all right for you to touch me." I don't want to, she thought frantically.
You will, he silently promised with an inner smile, correctly interpreting her mutinous expression.
posted
It's your rule breaking that has made your stories so 'real' to us. I love the fact that even though your characters are in another time, or place, or both( ) I can still relate to them. You make me feel their sorrow, joy, pain, etc. Actually you were the first author that made me cry whilst reading, that's what addicted me to your writing. Here's to rule-breaking.
I think that is how books become stereotyped. They get to be all the same. There is no other writer like you for a reason. Just do your thing and enjoy it.
Cin
Posts: 2063 | From: Secluded cabin in Colorado w/ Zack | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
I guess I always assumed everyone knew Roddy was gay. He always reminds me of this gay guy I used to work with whose name just happend to be Rodney. I can't read about Roddy without picturing Rodney in my mind.
Thanks for all the great books Judith. I'm not one for following rules myself. If I know about a rule, I'll find a way to break it.
Laurie
Posts: 1755 | From: Upstate NY | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
I read about Roddy Castairs in Whitney My Love, Until You, Something Wonderful and Almost Heaven. I suspected that he is gay. He has the typical character to be gay "women's best-friend".
I am so glad that my suspicion is finally confirmed. However, It would be great if you can write more about Jess Jessup in your other next book.
posted
What a fabulous topic! I have to tell you how close to home this hits!
First let me say hello Judith and everyone else at the board. It's definitely been a while. I am so excited for the end of February to arrive! (and if no one has asked it yet...) When is my medieval hero coming back? You know, the one who is lurking in the background just waiting for your pen to give him life again? LOL! I fell in love with him even as he stood angrily over our precious Leigh in the first excerpt! (And I know that's soooo presumptuous of me, saying MY, what with all the young, brilliant ladies here I'd be competing against but I just had to stir the pot! *G*
As for this topic - "following rules in writing romance... "
A few years back I decided I wanted to write. I had a premise that I couldn't get out of my head and I sat down one day and started writing. And wrote and wrote and wrote... In fact it was going pretty well, (for a "very" rough draft!!!) and I was having a ball. These characters were leaning over my shoulder constantly telling me what they would say or do in all the difficult circumstances I was putting them in. I really was having so much fun with it.
Then I decided maybe I should read a book on "How to Write Romance Novels!" ( no author's names will be mentioned ?!?!) I was feeling so inept by the time I finished reading this book, I was totally relieved I never came close to submitting any thing to a publisher. I would have been mortified at how ignorant they found me at writing romance.
Coupled with all this newfound knowledge of just how to do it, I then decided to start again. And guess what? Not a word would come to me!. I tried and tried, but all I kept thinking about was editing, points of view, and following all those rules. I just couldn't put pen to paper and make it sound natural. It was so contrived even I was embarrassed to read it. I was devastated and decided this obviously wasn't for me.
Just recently I had contemplated starting again, realizing that very few authors totally follow these so called "rules." Unfortunately, real life somehow got in the way (although that could change shortly. My husband just told me I should be finished helping in the office by the end of February so who knows?!? ) Anyway, to make a long winded story shorter, *snort* -- your words about writing are so refreshing because you truly are one of the very best in the romance genre! And I desperately needed to hear what you've had to say on this topic. After all, it was your writing, along with the fact there are so very few like you, that inspired me. Thank you Judith for your words of wisdom. Although my dreams may never come to fruition, your thoughts on writing are greatly appreciated.
We love you and all you create! You truly are the best!
Vickie
PS> I promise not to be so long winded again -- although I should mention, my second username is Ramblin Rose at another site!
[This message has been edited by Vickie (edited 01-05-2003).]
posted
i know that they were minor characters, but i'm really intrigued with jess and sarah. i like the banter between them, it's building up for instant combustion. will there be a future book on them?
[This message has been edited by shaiwon72 (edited 02-05-2004).]
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