BookTherapy

Mini Book Therapy!

Get your Conference Proposal in Shape!

One Sheets, First chapter and Pitch…

You get one chance to wow them, to stir their hunger for your book, to see that sparkle in their eyes that tells you they see your story in print…is your conference submission ready?

We at My Book Therapy know how important that conference pitch is – we have sat at the other side of the editor or agent's table, hands sweating, trying to throw the right amount of energy into our pitch.

And, we have sold those pitches.

Now we want to help you. From now until September, My Book Therapy is offering our summertime “Get in Shape for Conference” Mini Book Therapy fiction editing service, at less than half our usual rate - the hot low prize of $135.

We’ll help your tune up that first chapter, create a powerful one-sheet and hone your pitch so when you walk into that air-conditioned room at your writer’s conference, you don’t freeze on the spot. Instead, you’ll have a sizzling hot best-seller, just waiting to be discovered.

Click here for more information!

She Makes me a Better Man

Everyone needs to go out and get the movie Cutting Edge. Rent it, borrow it, purchase it, whatever. But lay your hands on it and watch it.

It’s not a Christian movie. And it’s sorta old. And, it may or may not have the values you look for in a movie…BUT, for the next few weeks we’re going to talk about my FAVORITE topic…romance!

Or rather, the romantic thread in a book!

And, well, the fact is, the Cutting Edge is a wonderful romance. I just love the external obstacles and the tension….and I’m going to be referring to the movie a-LOT.

So, you can either take my word for it, or go get the movie….

Meanwhile, let’s talk Loooove. Or rather, Romance!

I love a great romance. The story of a man loving a woman despite her flaws, and vice versa. That sweet moment when they realize they were made for each other. That sense that all is right in the world when they are together…

Okay, maybe I’m just a little too Jane Austen, but I truly believe that a good romantic thread makes a book that much richer.

But a great romance has to have certain elements.

Most of you know my favorite movies:
How to Lose a Guy.
Chasing Liberty
Return to Me
Kate & Leopold
Princess Bride
Timeline

And, when I asked my hubby his favorite, he said…finger painting. (See, if you watch the Cutting Edge you’ll get it!)

Why are these my favorites? Because they contain what I consider the 10 elements to writing a great romance.

We’ve already discussed the first two during the beginning of our Hero’s Journey: Loveable Heroes & Obstinate Heroines (or, Heroines who believe in themselves)

Now, we’re going to move onto the next 7 elements:
Virtues
External Obstacles
Make me cry -- or Heartbreaking Internal Obstacles
Entertain me – scenes and setting that are out of the ordinary
Tension – the sexual kind
Eternal Love – why she’s/he’s the only one!
No Way out of this mess – Black moments that seem insurmountable
Dialogue that Sparks
Ever After – a Happy Ending
Re-occuring Characters – for your next book!

Let’s start with VIRTUES!

What are virtues? Well, values, the kind we respect and admire. A great romance has virtues. It has lines it won’t cross – and I’m not talking physical virtues, but those we find in both secular and inspirational markets. For example: a great hero won’t put a woman he loves in serious danger (unless it’s beyond his control, and then he’ll sacrifice himself first). Likewise, a great heroine will believe in her man. I want a romance that brings out the best in the hero/heroine when they are together. Even if he’s a scoundrel, I want to see that with the heroine, he’s noble. And if she’s impulsive, I want her to become patient because of the hero in her life. Make them better people when they are with each other. Virtues are those elements in our characters that develop as they characters grow in love.

In CE – Kate get drunk one night, and practically throws herself at Dorsey, who isn’t necessarily shy when it comes to women. However, he doesn’t want to betray Kate in any way, so he takes her back to her hotel and tucks her in bed, and leaves her alone. Of course, the next morning, we find him in bed with someone else, but with Kate, he’s noble. (My personal opinion is that he should have turned away the other girl, but no one asked me). The point is, however, with Kate, he was turning into an honorable man.

What hidden virtues do your characters have that the romantic interest can cultivate? How do they grow into better people when they are together?

Rachel will be starting a discussion on the elements of a great romance so hop on over to Voices and let’s talk….Romance!

The God of Romance

MyBookTherapy is entering a fun writing phase - talking about romance! Now, lest you groan, all stories have romance - at some level. You can't get away from it.

We're going to look at the romantic journey, discovering the soul mate, the arch of the romantic plot. Even if romance or a relationship is a sub plot, you'll need to make sure it's viable enough to capture the reader.

I'm a big fan of the biblical book, Song of Solomon, because it depicts God's heart toward the believer. Yes, a man wrote the poetic prose, but I spent several years unearthing the symbolism and metaphorical language of this great book and came away with this conclusion: Jesus is in love with His Bride. You and me.

We've so perverted romance and intimacy it almost seems sick to say Jesus is in love. But He is. Get this in chapter 7 verse 10. The bride says, "I'm beloved's and his desire is for me."

Jesus desires to fellowship with us!

He longs to love us. Heart to heart. It's the divine romance, and it's at the core of our relationship with Him. Look, aren't you more apt to want a relationship with someone, a God, who is madly in love with you? I know I am.

He's for me. He'll fight for me. He prays for me. He encourages me. He believes in me. He calls me to Him, to partner with Him in ministry and friendship. He may even, gasp, ask my opinion.

We tend to relate to God as if we're His concubine. "I can only do what He asks. If He doesn't speak, I can't move or go or do. In fact, if I do, I might get in big trouble. No, I'd better just sit here and wait."

But Jesus came as a Man, died on the Cross and rose again so we could be with Him, as His Bride, for all eternity. And eternity begins now! Even though we are on "the other side."

We should relate to Him as a bride. "I'll speak to my husband and ask His opinion. I might even make a few suggestions. I'll tell Him I love Him, and hear His words of love in return. I'll do what He asks of me because He loves me, He is for me."

Marriage on earth is a picture of heaven - the interchange of hearts and minds.

So, romance is not a girly thing. It's a God thing. May you know the kisses of His Word on your hearts today!