Yesterday, we reviewed the Whys of falling in love, and how we might build that into our romance. Just to add a shameless plug here – if you want to know how to build a full-fledged romance, try Kiss and Tell, my brand new workbook on writing a romance! (Check it out here: http://stores.mybooktherapy.com) So, bringing this back to the story: How do the hero and heroine complete each other?
For Kenzie, it’s that she remembers who she is. For Luke, it’s the sense that he doesn’t have to be alone. I’ll be building on that in the next scene.
Once I figure out the romance element I’m building, I’ll also take a look at the kind of scene I’m building. In this case, it’s a combo scene – it will start out with a reaction from Kenzie as to what happened between her and Luke, but because I want to keep the momentum going, (because it’s also a suspense and I don’t want to linger too long in romance), I will move into action – her goal, conflict, dilemma.
So, as I develop this chapter, I’ll start with the interview of Kenzie.
My interview:
- What did you think about what just happened?
I like him. He’s been a bit stand offish all week, and I admit that I haven’t been very happy about being cooped up in the woods. But he surprised me today. I like him – and his tenderness…okay, that kind of honesty I’d forgotten existed. And the fact that he visited his father – it makes me want to visit my own parents.
What are your choices?
I don’t think I have any. After 5 days of laying low – and the cops in LA interviewing her house staff, delivery men they weren’t getting any closer to a lead. She might be stuck here for a month. Which means I need to do something about my stir-craziness.
- What will you do next, and why?
I walked around town today, without any one recognizing me – so I’m going to go out to the Roadhouse tonight.What is the one thing you fear happening?
The press seeing me. (and when I find out about his past…his past finding him.)
- And, if it’s a romance –how do you feel about this person? What is the one thing you fear happening emotionally?
I like him. Probably too much. I guess I fear having him betray me, like Nils did, so I won’t let myself fall for him.
Now, again, I’ll just check in with my synopsis to see where I am: (Overall synopsis)
And neither is living in the woods. So maybe there is a charm to waking to birds serenading the dawn, listening to the tall red and white oaks brush the sky. The fragrance of loam mixed with the smoke from the wood fire, the wild asters and buttercups blooming in the yard have eased the knot in her chest. That, and Luke’s easy manner – no agenda, no expectations, just a clear smile and an appreciation of the simple things.
Not unlike her parents, who taught her that love, friendships and faith were the keystones to life. She’s forgotten that, somehow.
And Luke has helped her remember.
Suspense thread – I want to up the idea that someone is after them, so by the end of this chapter, I’ll have something happen that makes them believe the “fun and games” are over.
Romance Thread – I want them to not only notice each other, but connect in the area of values. I also want them to share more about their dark fears, their greatest dreams. And I want them to have a physical attraction to each other.
Spiritual Thread – I will poke at the lie that they believe by dropping truth into the story. Kenzie can tell Luke a truth…and perhaps he can also tell her.
Character Change – We are in the Cost/Rewards/Desire phase – showing them that it might be worth it to press on the journey. (we need to do this so that when the ‘bad thing” happens at the end of this chapter, they have enough motivation to keep going). So, I’m going to give them a sense that they’ve finally found someone they can be real and safe with. Show them what they could have.
Action Objectives:
He’s going to take her out to the Roadhouse (where they later see Candy). They are pressed into dancing, and in doing so, she tells him her past, how she grew up in NC, and about her parents and they’ve never come to see her in Hollywood, and her greatest dream it to do something fabulous. She’ll also tell him about Thailand and her movie. And her fears that it will probably never get off the ground, that she’ll be Hayes 006 forever!
Stakes – She is having fun…for the first time. She’s forgotten what fun felt like.
Heroine ID- She likes him, and she is finally comfortable. Could get lost here…with him?
Anchoring- Bar, honky-tonk, and he’s singing to her. He’s a local hero…Run- Already finished off a basket of mozzie sticks.
Problem – She doesn’t belong here – and, she is making another mistake.
And the first line?
Kenzie had forgotten what it felt like to have fun.
Read the chapter here! Chapter 6 Kenzie
Questions? Comments? Post them in the MBT Bleachers level of Club MBT…www.mybooktherapy.ning.com.
See you next week as we move back into the suspense. Have a great writing week!
Susie May
