Lisa Oliver visits the clubhouse to promote the latest in the Balance series, Passion Punched King! Learn more about the author's writing process and the new release! Enter in the giveaway to win a $20 Amazon gift card!
Thank you so much to Boy Meets Boy for hosting me as part of my blog tour for Passion Punched King, book 2 of the Balance series.
The Evolution of a Story
I am considered a pantser – that is, none of my stories are plotted out in advance. I go into writing a new book with two pictures who will serve as inspiration for my MCs (sometimes three lol) and the basic idea that they will be firmly in love by the end of the book. Then I start writing. My first ever book, four years ago was The Reluctant Wolf and that began with Kane going into a diner. Forty-three books later, and I find the system still works for me today.
It’s not always easy being a pantser. For one, thing readers ask you questions about your work in progress and sometimes you can’t answer because you don’t know the answer yourself. There have been many times when I’ve got to the end of a book and then sat back and thought “how on earth did that happen.” All too often my characters lead me down convoluted paths I never considered at the beginning of the book, but I keep writing, hoping that it will all work out in the end.
Sometimes, it doesn’t. Sometimes I can be 30,000 or 50,000 words into a story and it just stops. Dead. No way out, no inspiration; it all just stops. The first time that happened I was scared silly with it. “What if I couldn’t write anymore,” I would wail to my little dog Scruffy. He never had any answers. In fact, he thought less writing meant more time playing with his ball. But I didn’t have time to play with him; I needed to work out what happened.
Thank goodness it doesn’t happen often. If I’m stuck I have to go back to the beginning and re-read every word, every phrase, every scene, trying to pick that spot in the story where the flow just stops. The glitch in my Matrix if you like. I admit, I can be a bit bossy with my characters. They will tell me “no, no, don’t got that way,” and I yell back, “I’m a thousand words short on my word count today so suck it up and live with it.” But they don’t, my characters. They do seem to know best. If I push a path that the characters don’t agree with then the book stops. The only way to get past it, for me, is to go back, find the point where it all stopped working and hit the dreaded delete key. Did I mention that I hate it when that happens?
So, to summarize the evolution of my stories, I would say it’s organic. In my head I see my story as a series of threads interwoven like a complicated plait. If I drop a bit, miss a bit or try and shove the pieces too close together, my characters go on a sit-down strike. A silent one. To get my story back on track, I need to undo all that’s written up to the hitch point and start all over again. Usually by taking my characters in the totally opposite direction. If they were meant to have a sex scene before, I got them into a fight. If one of them wanted to run away, I make them stay and face the conflict. It’s not always easy, this writing work. I spend most of my days corralling at least half a dozen characters from a minimum of three series in my head at one time, hoping that the ones I am currently writing about don’t get drowned out by the others. You don’t want to know the results if that happens.
Thank you to Boy Meets Boy for sharing their space with me today.
Lisa Oliver has a new MM fantasy book out:
King Zagan, Commander of the legions of the damned and one of the higher echelon in the Underworld, never fancied a mate. Demons weren't that way inclined. But when Botis met the Archangel Raziel and their relationship actually worked, Zagan was intrigued. Of course, it wasn't as though he planned on claiming anyone, but tangling in the sheets with a forbidden angel was a vice he could and would enjoy. Or so he thought.
Anael has always considered himself the annoying younger brother of angels like Raziel. As the angel of love, passion and sexuality, he could see love connections that others couldn't. When he saw his connection with Zagan he was so excited. Not only was he part of the big "Mating Scheme" devised by Head Office, but he snagged King Zagan, the secret crush he's had for centuries. Now if only things could go right for them both.
A marriage proposal from Lady Zoltus is just the first sign of trouble for the new couple. When Lucifer sticks his nose in and detains Zagan in the Underworld, leaving Anael to roam earth alone, more secrets are uncovered. After a confrontation Anael starts to question if anything he does is right. Will these two ever find their HEA?
Book Two of the Balance Series: This book is a continuation of the Balance series although it focuses on a new couple. It advisable to have read book one, The Viper's Heart (Raziel's and Botis's story) to gain a sense of context for this one. MM intimate experiences divulged in the pages. Suitable for adult readers only.
Giveaway
Lisa is giving away a $20 Amazon gift certificate via Rafflecopter:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Direct Link:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d473/?
Excerpt
"I thought you told me that sweet little angel was totally gaga over me and couldn't wait to jump on my cock." Zagan twirled Botis around and slammed him up against the bathroom wall.
"There is no way I used the word gaga." Botis shook his head and pushed Zagan away although in the small bathroom, that wasn't very far. "That word has never passed my lips before and I'm not sure I'm pleased it has now. I never said he wanted to ride your cock either. He's an angel for fart's sake."
"You know what I mean." Zagan was furious. "You said he was begging to meet me."
"Yeah, so, and he was." Botis shrugged, smoothing his hands down his Hugo Boss jacket. "Clearly, he was infatuated with the stories about you. When he met you in real life…." He waved a hand at Zagan's more casual attire, "Maybe you didn't live up to the hype."
A burst of flame escaped Zagan's nostrils as he snorted. "I earned every bit of my reputation," he snarled.
"And how is any part of that reputation going to put you in the good books with an angel?" Botis smirked at Zagan's glare. Poxy demon was so smug; firmly wrapped around the Archangel Raziel's little finger.
"It might suit you to be an angel's pet snake," Zagan replied, referring to Botis's shifted form. "I just wanted to sample the goods. It's not as though demons get the go ahead to so much as look at angels on the street. I was curious, wondering what all the fuss was about. And then the one angel I get a chance to meet can't be bothered to give me the time of day."
Botis laughed, something else that was new. Zagan realized there were a lot of changes in his normally surly friend. Happiness sat across Botis's broad shoulders like a mantle, and Botis wore it well. Yet, Zagan would be a fool if he thought happiness weakened his friend in any way. Botis ruled his sixty legions with a rod of iron; he just didn't fuck his minions anymore because Raziel didn't like the idea.
"How can you stand it," Zagan twitched as he thought about the sexy cute little angel sitting at the dinner table waiting for them. The man spent all evening bestowing sunshine smiles at the waiters, who were captivated with the little minx. "How can you stand fucking the same person night after night? Don't you get bored?"
"You should try it sometime," Botis patted his shoulder as he opened the bathroom door. "You might be surprised at how enjoyable it can be, especially when it comes to an angel." His laughter was thankfully cut off as the door swung closed behind him.
Author Bio
Lisa Oliver had been writing non-fiction books for years when visions of half dressed, buff men started invading her dreams. Unable to resist the lure of her stories, Lisa decided to switch to fiction books, and now stories about her men clamor to get out from under her fingertips.
When Lisa is not writing, she is usually reading with a cup of tea always at hand. Her grown children and grandchildren sometimes try and pry her away from the computer and have found that the best way to do it, is to promise her chocolate. Lisa will do anything for chocolate.
Lisa loves to hear from her readers and other writers. You can friend her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/lisaoliverauthor), catch up on what's happening at her blog (http://www.supernaturalsmut.com) or email her directly at yoursintuitively@gmail.com.
Author Website: http://www.supernaturalsmut.com
Author Facebook (Personal): http://www.facebook.com/lisaoliverauthor
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Author Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/wisecrone333
Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4839871.Lisa_Oliver
Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-Oliver/e/B004WH4ZEE/
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