Now I would like to welcome romance and erotic romance author, Jennifer Probst, who is joining is for her recent release of Play Me!
Short, Sexy, and Successful by Jennifer Probst
First off, let me thank you for letting me guest post today at your fabulous site – it’s always a pleasure to visit!
I’d like to talk a bit about character and the structure of the short format. With my Steele Brother series for Decadent’s 1Night Stand stories, a full and satisfying premise must be introduced, given a conflict, then end in happily ever after.
Since I’m writing erotic, I also need to throw in lots of great sex scenes that add to the storyline and increase the character’s relationship in a believable way.
Oh, and I have to complete the task in less than 15,000 words.
No problem.
What’s the best way to accomplish all the items listed above?
Write strong characters and they drive the story. Write a hero and heroine who snap off the page, make you believe in them, and keep you entertained for a few hours. How?
1. Set up – In the 1Night Stand series, there is already a built in concept to bring the characters together. The mysterious Madame Eve owns a matchmaking service and sets up a couple for one night. The author takes the concept and runs with it, and this is why each story feels new and fresh and the series is such a popular one. The reader knows already why this couple is getting together, so we don’t have to worry about creating a hook to bring them together.
2. Dialogue – Snappy dialogue can whisk a reader into a scene immediately. This is also a great tool to increase the sexual tension, cause conflict, and get a peek into a character’s mind without getting bored with a bunch of back story. Keep it moving and interesting – you only have a short period of time to impress your reader.
3. Conflict – have a conflict that will keep the characters from jumping out of bed and straight to the wedding. Why can’t they continue this relationship past the one night? Make the conflict believable, and the reader gets a stake in the story. The best way to accomplish a task is to know the hero and heroine’s past, and what scares them the most. Give them a goal, and a secret fear. We all have them. This will make them human, and drive the story.
That’s it. Easy right?
NOT. But when it works, it’s a heck of a ride..for both the writer and the reader. Here’s a blurb from my second installment in the Steele Brothers series, Play Me:
Professional gambler Sloane Keller is tired of dating weak willed men and longs to meet a man who challenges her dominant personality and forces her to submit. As the Queen of Cards, she’s used to making her own rules and craves the excitement of Vegas. But her inner heart cries out for someone who can be her match, both inside the casino and in the bedroom.
As the new dealer in town, Roman Steele is burnt out on women looking for a quick penny and a man to follow. He craves a woman with fire in her soul and a keen intellect who can challenge him. When his brother recruits Madame Eve to help, Rome is amazed at the complicated woman he gets to spend the night with. But when the evening is over, will she be gutsy enough to offer him forever?
Now, here’ s a quick blurb to whet your appetite. :
She raised her hand to her dealer, Wayne, for a short pause then swiveled in her stool to face the man beside her.
“Were you ever going to introduce yourself?”
His bold appraisal stripped her naked and pumped her with pleasure. An amused smile touched his carved lips. “Didn’t want to break your concentration. Besides, it seems we have all night, Sloane Keller.”
She raised her brow. “Perhaps. And you are?”
He seemed even more pleased at her obstinacy. “Roman Steele. You can call me Rome.”
He looks like a Rome. She imagined him dressed in armor and chains, leading an army of men with no thought to being disobeyed. Imagined him standing over the bed of a naked woman, ready to enjoy his spoils.
As the only player at the table, Wayne waited patiently for her to decide whether or not she wanted to continue. She upped the stakes. “Do you play?”
“Of course.”
“What’s your pleasure?” She dropped her voice to a husky drawl.
He bumped a hip against her chair. “Poker, of course.”
She wondered how he’d handle her. Most men she met either fawned like a groupie or treated her like shit. Since he was bought and paid for, she figured she’d test him before she made her final decision. If she didn’t like him, she’d demand her money back before they even hit the elevators. “Funny, me too. But I like a good game of blackjack to relax.”
“Are you good?” She smiled slowly. “I’m the best.”
“Cocky, huh?”
“Confident.” She leaned forward. Her lips stopped inches from his. The sizzling tension between them stretched in exquisite agony. “Not that I mind a little−cockiness.” Her gaze lingered on his lips then dropped slowly to the evident bulge in his pants. “As long as someone can back it up.”
Smoke gray eyes heated and sharpened like lightning. “Oh, I can back it up.”
“Care to play a hand with me?”
“Thought you’d never ask.”
Come stop by and tell me what you look for in your short romance. I’m giving away a free ebook to one lucky commenter!
I feel that with a short story you need strong characters. That way you don't have to spend the time explaining them to the readers. They have to pop right off the page at you! Chemistry is a must. I want the page to smolder. We don't have the time (pages) to let that attraction build.
ReplyDeletesionedkla@gmail.com
Well short stories for me have a purpose - to give me a short escape. But I do like it when there is some resolution to them. Not that everything has to be wrapped up in a nice box with a big bow, but not a whole lot left unanswered. I know a lot of authors write prequels to their books but often I don't read those as they aren't stand-alone enough for me - but I guess that is the author's goal: to get you to go on to the next book. LOL
ReplyDeleteThe one night stand books are great because everyone gets what they are after and the story is complete - but there is always the possibility of something more.
bas1chsemail at gmail dot com
I love strong characters with meaningful dialogue, sexual tension, and an HEA that doesn't feel rushed. I just finished The Marriage Bargain and loved it. Thanks!
ReplyDeletesrbagby50@gmail.com
I think it's great that the female character is strong and I'm sure she can hold her own.
ReplyDeletemythic021@gmail.com
A strong male and female who love eachother and who will fight to be with eachother no mater what.
ReplyDeletemy email is butterfli262002@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI am looking for a couple who have alot of chemistry and want to be together no matter what. They love each other. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great post! I would think short stories would be so hard to write! You have to get the reader engaged quick and erotica would be especially hard cuz you have to set up the scene etc etc in a much shorter time frame. I'm not too picky. As long as it's engaging and I like the main characters I'm usually disappointed only that's over :)
ReplyDeleteFantastic comments! I'm so glad you loved The Marriage Bargain Shelley!
ReplyDeleteA HAWT memorable escape. ;)
ReplyDeletebarbbattaglia @ yahoo.com