Why It's Hard to Write About Sex

Okay, pun intended....

I come from a very conservative family (We are Southern Baptists and Grandpa was a pastor.)  When my dad was still alive, there is no way in the world I would have ever considered writing a sex scene in the off chance he might read it and realize that I'm no longer a virgin (I've been married for sixteen years, BTW). Maybe that's why I didn't publish anything until after my dad passed. Why? Because--in my family, we don't talk about sex! EVER! It's a completely taboo topic. If I didn't have two daughters, I think I'd probably just continue to pretend to be a virgin at family reunions, etc.
But writing must mirror life, and the bottom line is--in case you weren't aware--people have sex. (Some people more than others....) Nevertheless, it is difficult to tell stories without it ever happening. I managed to get through the first two installments of The Clandestine Saga by glossing it over. In Book Three: Repercussion, it's gonna happen. And I'm gonna have to be the one to write about it.

In fact, I just did.

And I think I did a pretty bang up job. (See what I did there?)

Writing about sex can be almost as awkward as "the first time."

For me, it's a fine line between telling the reader enough to keep them interested and not crossing the line into smut.  Especially when the characters I am writing are so very real to me. Do we deserve to be in their bedroom? Maybe not. Do we want to be? I think yes.

For me, it all goes back to the piece of advice my brother (an actual published author with an agent and everything!) gave me when I published my first book. He said, "It has to be real. The moment the reader doesn't buy it, you've lost them." Thus, people have to have sex in my books sometimes, my friends.  Hopefully, I tell that part of the story in a tasteful way that adds to the story--instead of peppering it in like a machine gun for no reason in a tasteless way that just leaves the reader unsatisfied. (nudge, nudge; wink, wink)

Now, if I can just admit that sometimes people use the "F" word....

Authors, do you struggle with this or am I the only one?
Readers, what are your thoughts on reading about hanky panky?

Start your journey with The Clandestine Saga here for only 99 cents.

Why It's Never Easy to Kill, But Writers Do It Anyway

I guess I can honestly only speak for myself, but I've been killing people for years--characters, that is--and I always have a good reason for it. It's usually not easy, but it's always well- thought out and purposeful.

Don't fear the reaper.

I wrote my first book when I was fifteen. It has yet to be published because I can only imagine what sort of a train wreck it truly is, but I killed off an important character in that one. Not a lot of people have read it, but all of them were floored that I'd killed him--especially my high school lit teacher.
I've published four fiction texts in the last eleven months and am working on my fifth.  Every single one of them loses a character I had grown attached to. Why? Because if I am attached to these people, hopefully the reader is, too. For me, writing is about evoking emotions. Nothing quite gets a reader invested like making them love someone and then snuffing out the light from a character they love the most.
That being said, I have yet to kill a main character.
Perhaps, the fact that I have personally lost so many supporting characters in my own life plays into the reality I am trying to establish for my main characters. People die--it sucks--but it happens. If it happens in life, it must happen in books.
I know some readers hate books where important characters die. Who hasn't cried over Beth in Little Women? I hope the deaths that occur in my works are meaningful enough that, by the end of the book, the reader is saying. "I hate that so-and-so died, but if s/he hadn't then... wouldn't have happened."
Death in books is a lot easier to explain than death in real life.
Tonight, I killed a character I absolutely love. Based on a real-life person I also have an affinity for, it was one of the toughest scenes I've ever written. But it had a purpose and I think this demise will make my story stronger and more interesting in the end.
Writers--have you ever killed someone off?
Readers--what do you think about the death sentence for fictional characters?
Please leave a comment and look for The Clandestine Saga Book Three: Repercussion soon.
Follow me on Twitter @authoridjohnson

"Hither and Thither" Contest Open for Submissions!

This looks like a really cool contest! Whether you're a writer or you just like to read fantasy, check it out!

ID

Fantasy writing contest "Hither and Thither" is open for submissions at Inkitt!

Inkitt is a free writing platform that aims to help writers achieve their fullest potential. On July 13th the site launched a new Fantasy writing contest:

Hither and Thither

Submit your best original fantasy fiction stories of any length. As always, there is no entry fee. Old and previously published stories are also eligible.

Help us escape reality with your most fantastic fantasy stories yet! Submit accounts of beasts, pixie dust, and witches, or enchant us with spells and poisons. We want to read tales that are so lifelike they make us forget we aren't surrounded by kingdoms and dragons.

Contest guidelines

Authors will retain all rights to any and all works submitted in the contest.
Submissions close on August 10th, but voting will continue for an additional week

Original stories of any length are accepted.

Entries must be posted on the Inkitt contest page to be considered eligible.

The top 10% based on reader votes get the chance to be picked by the Inkitt staff for 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize.

All entrants will have the chance to show their work to a rapidly growing community of authors and readers hungry for high-quality fiction.

Submit your stories here: www.inkitt.com/hitherthither

You can also read more fantasy stories for inspiration in Inkitt's fantasy section.

My Top Ten Ways to Procrastinate While "Writing"

Any author will tell you we don't just sit in front of a computer screen for hours on end and let the words flow freely (and if they do tell you that, chances are they are lying.) My method consists of writing furiously for ten to thirty minutes at a time and then distracting myself for a few minutes. Here's my top ten ways to ensure nothing productive happens:
10) Check to see what song is playing on Pandora.  Of course, I usually recognize the songs on my favorite stations, but sometimes something new will come on. Then, of course, I have to see what it is!
9) Check email.  There's very rarely anything of interest in my in-box. But sometimes it's worth a second just to confirm that no one important has sent me anything of interest, like this Nigerian Prince I've heard about.
8) Check my blog posts. Sometimes I stop by just to see if there are any comments or how many people have read my post.  There are rarely comments (sad face emoticon).
7) Check Fiverr.  I'm pretty much done selling my soul as an editor on Fiverr. But occasionally I will check in to see if any funds have cleared.
6) Look at pictures on Pinterest for inspiration.  I don't spend a lot of time here, but sometimes it helps to clarify my thinking. Particularly when I am checking out my secret "hot guy" board... just saying.
5) Look up something for my story.  I like to double-check my facts from time to time, or see what type of vehicle I should incorporate, pick out a snazzy hotel for my MC, that sort of thing.
4) Tweet. I often have random thoughts while I am writing that needed to be Twittered.  Here's one from earlier today, "If my husband's not gonna read my books, I'm gonna start naming my heroes after my ex-boyfriends." It had to be said, people. Incidentally, follow me @authoridjohnson
3) Check for new reviews.  I don't get a lot of reviews. I still like to check every once in a while to see if anyone has any insight into my writing they would like to share. If you do, please be kind. I am mostly human.
2) Check Facebook.  There's really nothing to see here.  Checking my newsfeed really only consumes half of my day, tops.

1) Check to see if I've sold any books. This would also include the page count for the new KDP program. I check this several hundred thousand times per day. It is almost always the same....

All right, my fellow writers! What eats up your time??

Author Interview: Lisa Litberg, Author of Free

I have met some amazing authors this past year. Lisa Litberg is one of them. I asked her about her book, Free, and what she has coming up.

1) Tell us about your book (title, publication date, genre, etc.)

My book is called Free, which in retrospect is not the best title for a book you plan to sell.  It was originally published through a small-press company last July, but unfortunately they closed in February, so I self-published in March.  It’s contemporary fiction, female-centered.  Basically it’s a coming of age story.

2) Is this a series?

It wasn’t meant to be!  However I’ve had so many people ask about a second book about the main character that I broke down and started writing one.  This one features other characters’ points of view as well, and will address my readers’ questions about the future of my protagonist. 

3) What inspired you to write this particular book?

In my younger years, I followed the band The Grateful Dead around the country.  My experiences on dead tour were monumental.  I wanted to try to share those experiences with people who had never been.   While on tour, I met a lot of people who remained nomadic even when the band went home between tours.  I was interested in their lives, in what they did after tour ended.  This story is the fictional account of one such person.

4) Tell us about your main character.  What are his/hers strengths and weaknesses?

I think Free is a very strong character.  She is independent and somewhat fearless.  She takes the initiative in situations.  She is protective of herself.  She is remarkably resourceful for a woman in her position.  On the other hand, she isn’t always discriminating about the company she keeps.  She allows herself to get into situations where she is forced to depend upon others.  She can’t always see in herself what we do.  Her struggles teach her much about belonging and the true nature of freedom.

5) Without giving too much away, is there a pivotal scene that really speaks to you?

The opening sequence is my favorite.  I love how smoothly it unfolds, and how much it tells about the main characters in a simple, unassuming way.  Other than that, there are many moments that I find poignant, mostly while Free is interacting with other characters. 

6) If you have other books, how does this one compare to the others?

This is my first novel!  I’m working on my second one now. 

You can purchase Free on Amazon here.

If you are an author who would like to be featured on my blog, please contact me at authoridjohnson@gmail.com.

5 Reasons You Must Read Clandestine by Editor McKinley Morrow

Hi All!
For those of you who have never heard of me, I'm ID Johnson's editor, McKinley Morrow. And, unlike most of the world, I have actually had the opportunity to read Book 2: Resurrection, which comes out on June 1st.  Lucky for you--that leaves you a couple of weeks to read Book 1: Transformation before the release date--and here are five reasons why you will want to get hooked on this incredible series.
1) It's Twilightish, but without the K-Stew.
All right, folks, let's be honest, some of us actually liked the Twilight books. Some of us may have stayed up way too late reading them all, wondering if Team Edward or Team Jacob was going to win (not that it wasn't obvious!) Well, The Clandestine Saga is a little like Twilight. There are vampires. There is a female lead--a strong one! And there's some romance going on.  But, unlike the Twilight movies,  no one is forcing you to take an otherwise tolerable lead character and watch her shrug her way through ten hours of squinting.... Cadence Findley can look like whoever you want, at least until Johnson sells the movie rights. I think she looks a little like Emma Stone, especially around the eyes.
2) The dialogue sounds like actual people talking!
One of Johnson's strongest assets as a writer, in my opinion, is her ability to make the characters say things that real people would say to each other. Does she feed the plot through the dialogue? Sure.  However, they also talk like normal people, saying things that often also turn out to be quite humorous and clever. Here's a short excerpt of a conversation from Transformation:

            “What time is the Witching Hour anyway? Midnight?” Sidney asked, her expression seeming to indicate that she was considering going with Drew.

            “No,” Cadence said almost automatically.  “It’s 3:00 AM.”

            “Are you sure?” Jack asked.  “I always heard it was midnight.”

            Cadence’s glance became a bit sterner. “I’m sure,” she replied.

            “Search engine it!” Taylor said, taking over the mouse.

            Jon laughed, “Because the word Google is trademarked,” he commented quietly, almost to himself.

            “She’s right!” Taylor exclaimed. “It is 3:00 AM. Says so right here.”

            “On Wikipedia? The most reliable source of information since the invention of the internet,” Jon sneered.

            “No, it’s not Wikipedia! It’s a site about witches!” Taylor said defensively. 

           
3) Cadence Findley is a Boss!
Okay, not literally. Aaron is the boss--at least for now. But Cadence Findley is one kick-ass heroine who can literally take down any vampire or ghoul that comes her way.  And even though she's new to this thing, she's amazing at it. She's not perfect--she makes mistakes and almost gets kicked off the team. However, she comes back stronger than ever and proves that girls can do anything guys can do.
4) The pop culture references cause nostalgia.
Johnson has a flare for subtly weaving in memorable lines or references to the movies, books, and TV shows we all love.  In fact, you may have to read the book a couple of times to make sure you didn't miss any. One of my favorite scenes is in Resurrection when Cadence and Aaron are talking about Bram Stoker's Dracula:

            "Dracula.  Not true," Aaron said.

            "Oh, I guess you would know since you were alive back then," Cadence replied.

            "When Dracula was born? I'm not that old. Or did you mean when the movie was made? Yes, I was alive in 1992."

            "I wasn't," she reminded him.

            "God, how is that possible," he muttered, a comment that would have been under his breath if it hadn't been through IAC.

            "I meant at the turn of the 20th Century, when most of the book was set. You were alive then, right?" Cadence clarified.

            "I was. And I knew Mr. Stocker," he added, glancing in her direction. She looked a bit shocked. "He needed some information for his book. Though, he didn't quite stay true to what we explained to him, he got most of it right."

5) Just enough kissing to keep it interesting....

"Is this a kissing book?" (If you know what movie that line is from, you'll be happy to know Johnson works in references several times!)

This is not a love story--well, it is--but it isn't! I mean, there's Jack, Cadence's ex-boyfriend, and you have to wonder if something's going on there. And Christian tries to put a move on her.... But most importantly there's Aaron and we know how Cadence feels about him, despite the fact that she says he is "creepy" pretty early on. Nevertheless, there's just enough to keep you guessing. And by the end of Resurrection, you'll think you know how it will turn out--or do you??
Okay, so call me biased if you will--but I honestly think these books are not only extremely well-written on top of being entertaining.   So, Transformation is on sale for 99 cents right now and you can buy it here.  Also, you can pre-order Resurrection for 99 cents here. Two amazing books for $2?!? Yes--do it, buy them now!

A note from ID Johnson:  First of all, thanks so much Kinley for your time, your support, and for this hilarious piece.  And to the readers, I hope you love the characters in these books as much as I do. I would love to hear your feedback, especially as I begin to write Book 3: Repercussion.  

Lots of Love!!

Immy

Cordia's Will is Free This Weekend

In honor of Mother's Day this weekend, Cordia's Will is free through Monday, May 11th!
I hope that you will download it, read it, fall in love with Cordia, Will (or even Carey!) and then leave me some feedback.  I started writing Cordia's Will over ten years ago. I never thought I would finish it. One day, on a whim, I sent the half-completed manuscript to my sister. She insisted that I finish it.  So, I thought about it--a lot. And, I just didn't know what happened next.... I hadn't written anything in ten years because I didn't want to leave Cordia sitting there, waiting on true love.  It wasn't until I decided to tell a different story (Deck of Cards) that I was able to return to Cordia and Will and finally finish their story.
Writing Cordia's Will was difficult for many reasons. Probably the most difficult part was killing off so many of the characters that I love. There were two scenes in particular that had me in tears as I wrote them. Read the story and I'm sure you'll figure out which ones.
My favorite scene happens late in the book and I won't give it away but it has to do with Cordia and Margaret sitting in the kitchen at the Adam's Farm when our heroin hears the back door open behind and realizes something is horribly wrong....
If you've read Cordia's Will, I'd love to hear from you. If you haven't, what are you waiting for? It's free this weekend! Download it here and happy reading!

Cordia loses her love and then has to choose between what her heart wants and what her family desires.
Image courtesy of Getty Images