« Save Room for Your What?
I Still Love You, Stumpy! »

A Time-out with Joey W. Hill

When I was younger, a friend and I spent hours developing romance stories and role-playing them. In fact, some of my earlier plot lines came from these. It was an all-encompassing pastime. We’d both started out as avid romance readers, going from 3-4 Harlequin titles per week to Victoria Holt, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Laura Kinsale, etc. We passed notes back and forth during class, developing our characters, suggesting ideas, figuring out what scene we’d act out that day after school. I got to play the hero role most of the time, and found I really liked exploring that alpha male personality and what would make him tick.

Since these storylines could go on for weeks, it wasn’t about the plot – it was about the adventure of falling in love in the midst of all sorts of ups and downs. Being adolescents, we came up with the usual life-and-death and melodramatic jealousy situations (along with some song-and-dance routines – thank God, Goddess and every deity in between, it pre-dated video cam). But the point is, we explored the characters in a hundred different ways. It was like getting the chance to live with them, which as avid romance readers ourselves, we would have loved to do with our favorite heroes and heroines.

I could probably trace my propensity for writing long stories to this early role playing, because I never have enough pages to do everything I want to do with my characters, as they move toward that happily-ever-after where they admit they can’t live without one another. And I hate letting them go.

But I also learned innumerable things about writing from our fantasy role-playing. Not only the essential mechanics of detailed character development, but how important it was to have “time out” points well-integrated into the plot line, so the reader could get immersed in how the characters were falling in love. Every book takes you on a journey, and with wonderful prose, characters or description, you can make a reader slow down and savor that journey. However, in romance, it’s not just a perk of the story – it’s a REQUIREMENT, if you want to write a romance worth reading. My husband gets befuddled about the way I’ll read the last page when I’m choosing a romance. “You’ll know what happens,” he insists. “I already know that,” I reply serenely. “They’re going to end up together.” But the ending tells me if it’s a journey worth taking.

When I think about the parts of my books I enjoyed writing most, I remember the tennis scene in Ice Queen, brimming with sexual tension as Tyler and Marguerite fought it out in three sets. Or the yearning pleasure of the slow dance between Justin and Sara in the ice cream parlor in If Wishes Were Horses. The dinner that Mac Nighthorse made Violet in Natural Law, where she learned he was a great cook. I call them “time outs”, but those scenes did further the plot, for they were steps in increasing the trust between the two characters, taking them closer to the belief that they could find an HEA with each other.

A brief example from Mark of the Vampire Queen, which just came out this month (it’s the sequel to Vampire Queen’s Servant). Amusingly enough, this was written more as a montage than the fully fleshed out several scenes I wanted to do, because I just ran out of time and pages. At a certain point, my editor really has to say “enough is enough” (laughter):

She’d always been a woman whose relationships were fraught with politics and often peril. However, to know his bond to her was true, Jacob only had to remember the present, the handful of weeks they’d had since he’d become her servant. He’d expected Lyssa to be a queen, an infuriatingly arrogant female vampire, but there were many things he hadn’t expected.

Her watching him when she thought he didn’t know. While he was doing repairs, cooking, reading. He’d even sensed her presence sometimes when he napped, a lazy, pleasurable vision at the edges of his dreams.

Finding her fast asleep by a window. The Secret Life of Bees had been open in her lap as the rain trickled down the stained glass behind her, painting her pale face in translucent rainbows of color.

Seeing her hike her dress around her knees like a young girl to squat barefoot in a rain puddle. All for the pleasure of catching a frog and holding the creature in the palm of her hand. She’d coaxed him closer to dump the hapless amphibian down the front of his shirt. Then she fished it out to spare the disgruntled animal harm. Her fingers had caressed, girlishness disappearing into a wild sensuality that had them drenched and coupling on the back lawn. He remembered rain drumming on his bare shoulders, her heels clutched over his hips, her body arched so he could suckle rainwater off her throat.

So you see what I mean. As we’ve grown up and become more sophisticated, we have more complex plot lines in our romances –– paranormal, urban fantasy, romantic suspense, etc. These sub-genres interweave a lot of other elements, but the successful books never lose sight of that need for the romance –– the “time out” points that, if done well, become the reader’s “favorite parts”, to read over and over again.

CONTEST -

So tell me your favorite “time out” scene in a book. A brief description to intrigue us all will be great, and any other comments about why you liked it. I’ll randomly choose a winner to receive a copy of Vampire Queen’s Servant or Mark of the Vampire Queen, the sequel, reader preference.

If you have any other questions or comments for me, unrelated to the blog topic, I’ll be happy to answer those as well. Thanks for having me!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 19th, 2008 at 9:55 am and is filed under Guest Author. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

24 Responses to “A Time-out with Joey W. Hill”

  1. Victoria Janssen
    Posted: Feb 19th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
    1

    There’s a bit in Judith Ivory’s UNTIE MY HEART in which the hero (who’s returned to England after living in Russia for many years, all brooding good looks and swirling fur coat) and heroine (a former con artist who’s now raising sheep) end up helping to cut down a Christmas tree for an elderly couple who live nearby, and then to help decorate their home, including the star on top of the tree.

  2. azteclady
    Posted: Feb 19th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
    2

    There are several, actually, but the one that comes to mind right now is when Roarke offers Eve coffee in his limo (Naked in Death), and later gives her some for her AutoChef. He’s paying attention, and I find that incredibly moving and romantic.

    (Good luck with the book!)

  3. Joey W. Hill
    Posted: Feb 19th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
    3

    Victoria, I’m not familiar with Ivory’s book, but what a wonderful character pairing. Love the way you put that - “a former con artist who’s now raising sheep”. That alone would have me intrigued by the book. And I’m always delighted by scenes like that. That’s exactly what I mean. And AztecLady, oh, don’t get me started on Roarke and Eve. One of my favorites is probably the Holiday in Death when they share their first Christmas together, including shopping for gifts, decorating a tree, etc.

  4. Katie Ann
    Posted: Feb 19th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
    4

    The big pool playing scene in “Welcome to Temptation” by Jennifer Crusie (which wasn’t even one of my favorites of hers, but this scene stuck with me) was so deliciously filled with sexual tension and fun flirtation.

    I just today finished reading “Natural Law” and man oh man was that book excellent. I had never read any erotica/romantica before, and was so wonderfully surprised with the character depth and development. Am now looking very forward to reading your vampire series.

  5. Joey W. Hill
    Posted: Feb 19th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
    5

    Thanks, Katie Ann! Truth told, I like to re-visit Mac and Violet at times for inspiration (grin). Hope you enjoy Jacob and Lyssa’s tale as much. The Jennifer Crusie scene sounds lovely. Though I haven’t read it, it brought to mind the scene in Finding the Dream (Nora Roberts) with Michael and Laura in the pool at night…sigh. Water is such a lovely element for romance. Hence, probably why that scene From Here to Eternity is so memorable - wouldn’t have had the same impact in the desert probably (chuckle).

  6. Keilexandra
    Posted: Feb 19th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
    6

    In THE LIONS OF AL-RASSAN by Guy Gavriel Kay, there’s an elegant, quiet sex scene between a classically handsome, virile king and his pious queen. It’s written in third-person limited from the queen’s POV, and I just adore how Ines slowly but surely gives in to desire despite her steadfast religious beliefs. It is not a flashy scene, not erotic (LIONS is in fact a historical fantasy novel), but I love going back to reread it.

  7. Caffey
    Posted: Feb 19th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
    7

    Joey, I too loved Victoria Holt books! I would keep a checklist and make sure I read everyone of them! I loved those Gothics! Its been a long time, so I hope to read hers again some time!

    There was this book by Mary Balogh called SILENT MELODY. I can remember scenes where she is out far from the home where she would paint and be by herself. She could express herself through painting. Not many understood, but I felt I so know what you feel. Sometimes it was where she felt comforted and felt she could be alone from all the difficulties. There just was so much in the book where I could glance at part of scenes but remember the feelings so much.

  8. Christine
    Posted: Feb 19th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
    8

    I just finished reading Jaci Burton’s latest release, RIDING WILD. The hero has stolen a high profile artifact from a museum and has sort of kidnapped the heroine. She’s the private investigator who was hired to check out the security at the museum where the artifact was being displayed. And they are on the run (on a motorcycle… very sexy), from a third party who is obviously after the artifact as well. There is a great ‘timeout’ scene where the hero and heroine take a break from riding and spend a day at a bike rally and have some beers, listen to the band, browse the tattoo booths, and just hang out with fellow biker dudes and babes. It was a nice little respite from the high intensity of the rest of the novel.

  9. Kaitlin
    Posted: Feb 19th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
    9

    Hmm…I liked the scene Victoria mentioned w/ Roarke & Eve from Naked in Death.

    One of my favorites is actually at the very beginning of Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas. It’s right after Annabelle and Simon meet and they’re riding the diorama. It’s the first kiss, but it’s also such a sweet, simple scene. It sets the stage for the rest of the book and yet not much actually happens. :) Those are the best types of scenes IMHO. :D

  10. catie
    Posted: Feb 19th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
    10

    Note: I *swear* I’m not choosing this scene to suck up; it’s the first (and one of the best) that comes to mind: from your own ROUGH CANVAS. The scene in the farmer’s field when Marcus leans against the tree sipping wine while watching Thomas sketch–such a wonderful sense of peace and synchronicity, despite the fact that both characters were engaged in their own activities. I *LOVED* that part!!!

  11. Jambrea
    Posted: Feb 20th, 2008 at 5:25 am
    11

    I too have a scene from the In Death series, but it is a friendship scene. The love that Eve shows for Peabody when she is hurt is just a thing of pure friendship that you don’t get to see a lot of. I just think the In Death series has wonderful moments all the way through.

    Some of the other great “time outs” occur with Dr. Mira. When she brings out the tea and just lets Eve know she is there if Eve needs her!

  12. Sarai
    Posted: Feb 20th, 2008 at 7:20 am
    12

    I have to say my favorite scene is in The Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas when the two characters have decided to run off in the opening scene to marry for protection (heroine) and for money (hero) however during the trip he does the sweetest things like making sure she is warm enough (a brick at her feet for heat.) Even though he doesn’t have money he buys her a ring and begins to see her beauty where everyone else saw her flaws. Sigh it’s a great book and that is a great scene.

  13. Joey W. Hill
    Posted: Feb 20th, 2008 at 7:32 am
    13

    Sorry for the delay this morning - one day I WILL remember to check that darned wireless on/off button on the front of my computer before I assume all sorts of other things are wrong with my wireless network (sigh).

    What I like so far about your responses is how you’ve chosen a wide range - not just romantic moments, but moments of friendship (Jambrea), or moments that speak to you as an individual (Caffey). It encapsulates why we all read. While I am a huge movie and selective TV series’ buff, there is a sense of immersion when you read a book that visual media can’t capture the same way. Perhaps because when we read, we often are in our own world, a quiet space of our own.

    Christine, Jaci’s Riding Wild is SO on my TBR list, though right now I’m immersed in Australia research and won’t allow myself anywhere near it. And Catie, I don’t take that as sucking up at all! Rough Canvas had a large number of those types of scenes for me as well. As you’ll remember, at the beginning, I couldn’t keep myself out of the flashbacks - loved that part at the antique store where Thomas came out and found Marcus napping in the sun, and squatted next to him, touching his hand to wake him… If I don’t find myself going back and reading “favorite parts” of my work, I know I haven’t done something right.

    Caitlin, I had to look up what a diorama was (grin). So thank you for expanding my vocabulary today, and it gave me a lovely visual as well. And Keilexandra, your scene brought to mind (because I can’t ever doff the author cap - eye rolling) how important internal narrative is to writing intensity into scenes. While you said you weren’t describing an erotic scene per se, I’ve found some of the most erotic scenes are those where there’s barely a touch exchanged, but the intensity of the characters’ thoughts about the moment, the decisions they reach because of them, can leave you completely captivated.

    Great answers so far…and new books to try…

  14. Joey W. Hill
    Posted: Feb 20th, 2008 at 7:34 am
    14

    Oh, and btw - forgot to do the time limit thing - the cutoff for the book giveaway will be end of day Thursday, so I’ll announce a winner sometime Friday morning (I’m on EST).

  15. Joey W. Hill
    Posted: Feb 20th, 2008 at 7:41 am
    15

    Sarai, if only guys understood how we just melt at simple cosseting. I’ve always told my husband “You all think we’re so difficult, and we’re really NOT.” Just do something sweet and unprompted to care for us that has nothing to do with getting under our skirts, and we’ll be like pudding (grin). Forget the diamonds, chocolate and flowers - just give me an unprompted backrub or unload the dishwasher without being asked. (laughter) Now, on the writing side, truly believe that care/protection element is so key to a good romance. Just finished a blog for the DearAuthor site (not yet posted) which focused on “The Power of the Submissive”, focusing on how submissive males in erotic romance can remain appealing to women readers who like their alpha men, and the key was that a submissive male, while allowing himself to be sexually dominated, never abdicates his responsibility to care for and cherish his lady absolutely. Very key… Okay, back to writing for a bit… Got to pay those bills (grin).

  16. deemer
    Posted: Feb 20th, 2008 at 11:01 am
    16

    It’s strange, but out of all the romances I’ve read, I’m struck by this one scene out of Kinsella’s Shopaholic series. The heroine is pregnant, and her workaholic-genius husband takes time out of managing his busy PR company to come with her to this gigantic stroller (buggy? pram?) warehouse to pick out the perfect stroller. He, of course, wants the one called “The Warrior”, and she wants a Lulu Guiness one. They battle it out by taking each on a road test. Still, it struck me as incredibly romantic, probably because my husband would prefer to be shot than to shop for baby-related items.

  17. Caffey
    Posted: Feb 20th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
    17

    Oh definitely RIDING WILD by Jaci Burton has scenes that have stuck with me weeks after having read it. I remember too meeting all the men on the team and thought right there, I hope I get everyone of their stories because they have one to tell.

    Sometimes too at the end of the scene in a book where its just the moment you know that they will be a forever and that was in ALWAYS TO REMEMBER by Lorraine Heath where they two danced to Greensleeves. I never heard the music but reading that scene was like I really could! Now that so gave me goosebumps.

    Gosh, I’m thinking of another scene and another book, this is why its so much a joy and the best thing for me, is reading…

  18. SweetNSourGirl
    Posted: Feb 20th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
    18

    It’s hard to say, there are a lot of great romances out there that I haven’t read yet! But one scene that pops into mind isn’t even from a straight up romance, it’s from “1984″, which tells you how screwed up my idea of romance is. It’s when Julia and Winston are in that secluded room and she’s smeared on makeup. It’s a cute scene, just before they’re hopping into bed and just with each other all day, making love, it’s an island of paradise in a hellish world. For a minute you think everything will be fine and maybe it’ll all turn out good. Still gets me every time.

  19. tasha t
    Posted: Feb 20th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
    19

    maggie shaynes books have always been a fav of mine ro reread
    i make sure to keep every one of hers i get

  20. Joey W. Hill
    Posted: Feb 21st, 2008 at 6:12 am
    20

    Deemer, not only romantic but so touchingly funny at the same time. Sometimes it’s amazing how much we become like kids when we fall in love. Caffey, it’s done the same to me…I’ve been thinking of some of my all time favorites. Ashes in the Wind, Kathleen Woodiwiss - when Cole brings Alaina chocolates… Once in a Blue Moon - pretty much the whole book, but in particular at the end when she rides his steam engine invention with him and wonders if she’s going to have to wrestle this huge female railworker for McCady’s affections… SweetnSour Girl - oh, you’re not twisted at all. In some of the harshest stories, it’s that moment of tender humanity that sticks with me, gives me hope. Tasha, I’ll have to try another Maggie Shayne - it’s been years, but I remember enjoying her.

  21. Merry
    Posted: Feb 21st, 2008 at 7:08 am
    21

    My favourite time-out moment is in Lois McMaster Bujold’s ‘Beguilement: the Sharing Knife’ where Fawn and Dag are making love for the first time. Fawn says she wants the light left on so that she can look at him and when he indicates that he’s nothing much to look at, she says: “Maybe not. But you make my eyes happy.”
    It just makes me get a big sappy smile on my face to read that. They love each other for themselves and just take the time to make the other feel happy and special.

  22. Joey W. Hill
    Posted: Feb 22nd, 2008 at 6:11 am
    22

    Merry, that’s another nice one. And I think your last sentence summed up what a real love is all about. I like to see a book that accomplishes that feeling.

    Okay, here’s our winner - Sarai! Congratulations on winning the drawing! Shoot me an email at storywitch@ec.rr.com and let me know if you’d like Vampire QUeen’s Servant or the sequel, Mark of the Vampire Queen, and your snail-mail address, and we’ll get that right out to you.

    Thanks, everyone, for sharing your favorite “time outs”. Here’s hoping you’ll find many more to enjoy in your future readings.

  23. azteclady
    Posted: Feb 22nd, 2008 at 6:16 am
    23

    Congrats, Sarai!

    Thank you, Joey!

  24. sanju
    Posted: Mar 19th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
    24

    What an interesting way to get people interested in reading! Book trailers are like movie trailers, but for books! You can find them all over the internet now, but here is a site that’s featuring them on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/booktrailers

SexyComments by BorkWeb

  • Authors and Readers

  • Ebook Publishers

  • More Links