Harmony - She Sings At Last!
It's A NEW Day And I'm Ready!
Not feeling well...
A Ski-bunny and her Friends!
I’m sitting here laughing and grinning. Maybe it’s the late hour and my near delirium is expected thanks to my lack of sleep. Or maybe it’s the dawn of a new weekend and I’m really relaxed and relieved to be free of the grind of the first week back at work. (Bleh!) Or maybe it’s this email from a reader before me.
I received an email from a reader who wanted to share with me that another author wrote a not so favorable review of my work. Shocker! LOL! Reviewers and review sites exist to critique and criticize, so that didn’t bother me. I’ve learned every review (good or bad) can be turned to good publicity. However, what did make my brow arch in delight was the fact that I’m being advised to seek a professional career as a Soap Opera Writer instead of novelist. LOL!! I love it!
But alas, the soaps are in the toilet so who will hire me? 
I don’t provide my work to review sites. One of the most respected reviewers of romance is Romantic Times and as I shared before I’ve been nominated for Best Indie-Author Award 2011 for Buttercup. So hey, it can’t get any better than that for me. However, this latest comment on my work inspired me to update my blog so it’s definitely a good thing. Also I’ve had more than one comment from you that the new book Before Sunrise was a great read but it was way tooooooo looooooonnnnnnggggg. This too has inspired me.
Now let’s see, ah yes, I’m a soap writer who writes long books that need trimming. How shocking that in the romance genre you’d stumble across a cliche’ or contrived plot, or a happily ever after you didn’t see coming. For shame!
Do I write drama? Yes. Do some of my books tend to be lengthy? Absolutely! Will this change as I strive to be the Nobel Peace writer for all of IR and garner the respect and admiration of every IR reader/author out there for all time to come? LOL! Nah.
I believe in telling my story the way I see it. Point blank. Some get it, some don’t, some can’t decide, all of the above works for me. There are authors whose books are flying off the shelves and bore me to tears. There’s music out there that women will shake their asses too but makes me cringe from the first note. There are movies I’ve sat through thoroughly pissed off at the ending or the sorry ass plot vowing never to watch another from that director. Yes, ladies and gents I too am a consumer, so I get it. I really do. Entertainment is different for everyone. And sometimes we try something new to find we like it, then discover later on when we sample the next we don’t. Hey, shit happens. I think ultimately when it comes to fiction we are all lucky for the diversity flooding the shelves because of indie authors like myself. Explore, decide who fits your palate and who doesn’t. Just don’t think for one moment that your taste is the golden rule for every other reader behind you. Oh and here’s a idea, critque the work not the character of the writer. Seriously do we know each other? I think not.
This is why some of my stories will be (in my opinion) very fleshed out. Now I get that in romance (especially epub books) this is not a requirement. The age of the novella is here boys and girls. Many readers are buying books for hot sex and quirky story lines that wrap up quickly. I’m one of those consumers.
Carry on…
However, I don’t write drama for the sake of drama, and to be quite honest I’m a fan of soaps and have yet to see one on TV that plays out with the diversity and intrigue as my work. Is the HEA (happily ever after) a forgone conclusion in my books? Should it be consistently syrupy sweet or given a surprising unpredictable conclusion? I’m leaning toward a syrupy sweet conclusion for my work because it’s ‘romantic fiction’ and ‘romantic fiction’ for me is most enjoyable this way. Not all my work reflects this mind you. I can distinctly remember the reader response received after I chose ‘realism’ in my fiction. The reviewers stated they were either cheated after experiencing so much hardship with the couple or they thought a sequel was needed–because it just can’t end like that! All in all you can’t gauge what a reader will like or not, and I think the moment the author starts to tailor their work toward the popular vote they will lose their voice or dare I say their soul.
For those of you new to my blog or just curious as too why I would dare write a 400 page book for a story you believe should be told in 200 here’s my reasons:
1. I love writing novels not novellas.
2. I want to know the characters and I think my readers should too.
3. Drama baby is the spice of life.
4. The I/R genre has a lot of hot sex in books with no substance. A plot isn’t always a bad thing with your porn.
5. It’s my prerogative!
Here are my thoughts on my recent novels:
Before Sunrise – The original story was only 60K words and about 150 pages. I also believe it had no subplot. The story felt incomplete to me. Liam and Kennedy had a history, one I thought I should explore. They suffered heartache and tragedy which I too felt should have been explored. Their story was epic to me because I truly envisioned their love. Yes, a traditional editor/publisher would have probably made me decide on a single plot (two at the most). Such as, the war, PTSD, the love triangle, the family dynamic, the past (how the characters met as a prequel), yep just pick one. I added all of them. I guess that’s the freedom of self-publishing. And after 20 books released I’m hoping the readers of my work who want to be up to four in the morning turning page after page enjoy it. For the readers who are exhausted and just want the story to end, yep it’s not the book for you.
Black Butterfly – I’ve posted before that this book was my very first novel. (Yay!) I wrote it over six years ago and it has seen so many rewrites I can’t remember how many changes have been made. I think Nolen in the original version was 35 and a real estate mogul and Sydney’s (her name changed almost six times) dancing only came across as foot note to the story and wasn’t as detailed. Oh! And Juanita, Todd and Trish, Portia had way more scenes. Yep, lots and lots of drama left on the cutting room floor. The story languished because of the work needed, fans of the free version offered on the internet contacted me and asked that I dust it off and publish it. I delayed this for several years. Finally I said hey, it’s a good novel, why not. The rewrites changed Nolen the most in the book, even down to his freaky fetish. Ultimately the world I created for these characters was one I didn’t want to leave. Hope my readers felt the same way.
Daisy’s Choice – Yes the hated/loved triangle of Pete, Daisy and Aiden could have been two or three short e-books easily. I put them all in one tale. To be honest I happen to agree that Daisy’s Choice could benefit from some reshaping. I plan to re-release it when I do the next story. Not that it will shorten the length of either book, that is never my goal. It’s just to make sure the plot holes and any redundancy is cleaned up. Especially because it’s a fan fave and many of you write me about it constantly.
I’ve written all of this to arrive at a point. I write drama, and if some consider it soapish, so be it. I write both novels and novella’s, so check the fine print before purchasing. I don’t believe my work is the holy grail or pinnacle work out there in this genre. I believe it has it’s place and for those comfortable with my style of story telling we are going to have so much fun, for those not – adieu. And lastly, The Mafia Series will…. um let’s say, if you don’t like soap drama, please, please, please run for the hills because it’s coming your way baby!
Have a great Saturday!
SM
January 7th, 2012 at 5:06 pm · Link
I loved this thought you had because I feel like too many readers tend to love or hate a work because of their reading style. When I pick up a book I am looking for detail so that I can get to know the characters. I want to feel like I am in the book just watching all the scenes play out and invisible essence if you will. The one think that I loved about Before Sunrise was the fact that you well defined the characters of Kennedy and Liam and instead of defining them and growing them there was a progression of their growth the flash backs showed me as a reader how Kennedy became the strong woman that was willing o fight for Liam in the end. I hate to say it but I thought the story was too short for my taste only because you as the writer left me as the reader wanting more. You left me wondering what Liam got himself into since he wasn’t in the military anymore. If Kennedy decided to go back to school to follow her dream of being a lawyer, if Mac ever truly understood that Liam her bio-dad isn’t a gift from heaven. All these thoughts came through for me and at the end of the day, I feel like its not about how the author writes their works that makes the reader love it or hate it, but how the reader reads the works. (If that makes any kind of sense. LOL)
January 7th, 2012 at 6:56 pm · Link
I agree with everything JovanBleu26 said! I so admire you for knowing your talent, your own mind and not letting others define you or your work. I have never been fond of “quickies” especially in books, so I love your looooooooong stories! Keep them coming and keep up the excellent work! I am dying to read the Mafia series! I hope it will be released sooon!
January 7th, 2012 at 11:50 pm · Link
@JB – Thanks and I really do understand if others didnt like the length of a story I penned. Too much detail to a plot can be quite boring, though I don’t think this is the case of BS. I do think it’s a matter of taste and I’ve accepted a long time ago that not everyone will like my work. At this stage in my publishing career I think most buying my work know what they are in for. Take it or leave it is my motto. The whole soap writer comment (even if it was meant as an insult) was quite flattering, because I happen to love soaps and all the drama in between. Hopefully some of my readers will fill the same.
January 7th, 2012 at 11:51 pm · Link
@Gerri – I’ve tried to write quickies (Illegal Affair) and it just came off awkward and incomplete for me. So I’ve decided to just give the story as much leeway as needed. Though I want to sharpen some of my plot points and get rid of any redundancy. I’ve learned quite a bit lately from you ladies and your observations, so that’s always a plus!
January 8th, 2012 at 2:34 am · Link
Mynx I love your work. I am always popping in to see what kind of goodies you are publishing! Have you written (Or would you consider) Black Woman/Asian Man erotica? I would kill to see you create stories for this pairing! (Well..not kill exactly!)
January 8th, 2012 at 5:13 am · Link
Keep doing you, and your faithful fans will continue to read your work!!
January 8th, 2012 at 5:24 am · Link
I am a huge fan of your work. I like the fact that you write novels. I can’t tell you how many times I have brought books that were not worth the money because of the length. Please keep your long stories coming.
I cant wait to read Harmony.
January 8th, 2012 at 6:45 pm · Link
I am a frequent reader of yours, been following you for years. I recently purchased Before Sunrise and I have to object to those who said the book was to long. I thought it was fantastic. Easily some of the best writing you’ve done and the story was full, the characters were fleshed out. I didn’t feel cheated like there had to be a quick beginning and end with no real story. I have to say again, Before Sunrise was a fantastic read.
January 9th, 2012 at 2:15 am · Link
I agree with everyone here. I love the fact that you write novels. I think your contemporary novels are addicting. In fact they never seem to be long enough and ALWAYS leave me wanting more lol. Your style of writing novels is so relatable. Your character development is awesome. BS is definitely your best novel to date and it seems like you get better with each one and thats always the goal: to get better and grow. I first discovered your talent in 2011 and you definitely have a fanatic in me!
-Stephanie
January 10th, 2012 at 4:56 pm · Link
Mynx,
Before Sunrise my first read. I enjoyed the book. Was it to long yes and no. I love a good book with all the details, the more the merry. I hate to pick up a book and the author leaves you hanging and with the price of books even for ereaders it’s too expensive to buy a book and left with nothing. You didn’t do that, you gave me more than my money’s worth and I thank you for that. I’m sad because I think there’s more story to tell regarding this. I think that Eric and Harper has there own story to tell and I think that Vasquez and Angie have a story to tell. If you can pull this off then you’ve left me very happy. I will choose another read and see how I like it. If you want recommend one for me and I’ll once again give you my feed back. Don’t change your style of writing for your readers. We’re all at different stages in life and like different things each day and if you’re books aren’t for them, then don’t buy them. I happen to buy all genres of books and found BS to be a great story.
After I finished I said to my husband I’m so glad I’m finish this book now I can’t wait to read the next part of it, so please, please write Eric and Harpers story…
January 12th, 2012 at 12:29 am · Link
Girlfriend ley me just say I lo ve everything that you’ve put out. So just keep on doing that thing you do because it’s magic. Can’t wait till you’re next book.
January 12th, 2012 at 6:11 pm · Link
Finally a book worth the price. I love the long books and keep them coming and I hope the mob series books are long because that’s the way I like them and hope to see that series out soon, can’t wait.
January 14th, 2012 at 8:36 am · Link
One reason why I continue to buy all of your novels and novellas is the fact that your work conveys the trials and tribulations of the characters. I’d rather read a 600 page book than a 200 page book any day. So keep up the good work!
Also, I am a big soap opera and Spanish soap fan and have noticed the lack of diversity in soaps as well. The only soaps that I felt really captured diversity well was One Live To Live and the Young and the Restless. And now with OLTL off the air the only diverse cast is Young and the Restless. I am so happy that reviewers thought you would be a great soap opera writer. I think so too! Oh by the way to all the fans and Ms. Mynx if you are like crazy me and love soaps one soap that had a leading black female character paired with a Portugese prince was the Brazilian historical soap Xica da Silva based on a true story of one of the most famous African slaves in Brazil. It has been dubbed in both Spanish and English and let me tell you the soap is filled with so much drama that I know everyone will love it!