Discover the essence of Cyn

I’m on vacation this week. More importantly, I’m working on my writing. That’s important to me and something that’s been lacking for a while. This is day 3 of my vacation and the first day I spent just hanging out and doing fun things while packing to take myself to the male’s house. Yes, I’m spending my week with my male. It’s good for me, and for him. (Though he might deny it. LMAO) Read the rest of this entry »

Today’s flash is themed on Changeling Press’s Bar and Grill theme– Sex anywhere and everywhere. The idea of sex in such an adventurous manner has been playing at my mind all day while at the day job. But more importantly, it made me think about what is one person’s adventure is another person’s idea of boring. So, finally, after some thought, I think I have a decent sequence put together. It’s….definitely different. Read the rest of this entry »

Yuppers, I did, I did! I’ve uploaded it onto Youtube. http://youtube.com/watch?v=h7aKeJxCeZM  It’s for my books, Shades of Fyre, the easiest book to put together something. I’m hoping the next time I’ve got downtime that I can do one for Treaty of Desire or one of my other books at Loose Id. It was fun to do!

Intimacy– whether it be a touch, sexual intercourse, or just two people in an open speaking relationship– it’s a necessity for human survival. Living without physical or emotional intimacy leads to many bad things. Want proof? Look towards the studies shown from the Touch Institute based in Miami, Florida for more information. People who are not given human intimacy from birth wither away and die. But how does this translate into deeper intimacy as adults? Read the rest of this entry »

My father does NOT understand it. My mom did. My sisters kinda get it, but my male does. Romance– why do I write what I do? Many people will tell you it’s for the happily ever after. Some will tell you it’s about falling in love. Some will even say it’s for the sex ideas. Well– they’re all correct. Read the rest of this entry »

I thought in the fact that I’ve been following Sascha’s demo of the workshop he’ll be doing at Coffeetime on BDSM, I’d do a little something something. LOL

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What’s happening to make this day a wild day? I’m home….well sorta. Actually the male in my life moved closer to me, so I’ve been at his place since Sunday getting things unpacked, making my lupus act up, and taking care of him. Like a dummy, I forgot to bring my laptop with me so I could have access to all my necessary things– like email, stories to edit, etc. But on the plus side– today he’s at work, I’m here at the house listening to damn good music, setting up his computer (he’s SUCH an end user it makes me cringe!), making a homemade baked penne with chicken, and generally trying to put things away for him. I’ve got some stuff done for him, that I KNOW he’s going to change once he gets going, because he’s like me…. OCS. It makes for interesting moments. LMAO Read the rest of this entry »

What makes a hero in a romance novel, much less any novel? It’s something many authors have pontificated over, discussed and revamped through the years. However, I find that my needs in a hero haven’t changed much, but have been more refined. I’ve written about the enlightened alpha male, which I find to be the most conducive to my lifestyle and my writing. The more I thought on it, the more I realized that truly the enlightened alpha was deserving of his own status and I’ve made him my Omega male. (Gods, the male in my life is gonna giggle like hell when he reads this!) But again, it forced me to consider- what makes a good hero for a story?

He’s heroic. Obviously, but how is he that way? He stands up for what’s right-even if in the past he hadn’t. He’s learned that by harming others who have done no wrong, you weaken yourself and are nothing more than a bully. Heroism is something that you are internally, not always something learned. Most men I consider heroes think about themselves in context of how can they be prepared to help others. They take care of themselves so they’re available for that purpose.

A good hero is not afraid of his own emotions. He might not understand them at times, sometimes wanting to dodge the significance when it makes him feel vulnerable, but when it comes down to it-he embraces the emotions because to do so otherwise is to ignore what he wants and needs. Most men don’t ignore what they want or need, though sometimes it takes a while for them to realize what is truly needed in their lives. They’re men– they can be simple that way. (smiles at the male in my life and waves– he’s SO going to kick my arse!)

Good heroes allow others to attempt things. They don’t take over because it’s safer and easier. They allow people to learn from their mistakes and good heroes help minimize damages to people involved if possible. Heroes know that knowledge sometimes has to be earned by failure, but it can be done in a controlled manner when possible. They don’t overrule anyone unless the risks outweigh the benefits. Sometimes they can be a bit pushy and domineering, but it’s because they’re doing this. In fact, when this insight and awareness is shown–it makes readers fall for the hero even more. Or at least it does with me and I don’t think the hero as an ego maniac with delusions of grandeur. LOL

Truly well written heroes understand themselves and they have insight into others. Though there is something we always miss within ourselves, heroes strive to be aware, even when they fail. They’re willing to listen, to work on their own issues, not just point out the faults in others. Heroes know that if someone points out something, it’s because of two reasons– spite or a need to help them become better. They use discernment and they do try to prevent miscommunications from happening. (Now, I admit I have major issues with any story being based only on miscommunication. Serious issue. If the people aren’t willing to talk things out– then they need to move onward to someone else. End of story. But if it’s a miscommunication with other complications and the miscommunication was in the process of trying to explain the other stuff– I can see that side issue happening. I’ve LIVED that complication and I’m someone who explains EVERYTHING.)

Some of my favourite heroes– Dr. Who, Captain Jack Harkness, Apollo from BSG, Dr. Daniel Jackson, Jacob from The Vampire Queen’s Servant series by Joey Hill, John Sheppard from SG: Atlantis, and many others in print. I have a PARTICULAR fondness for John Tregarth from the Vicky Bliss series by Elizabeth Peters. Why these heroes in particular with many others? Because these men are enlightened, sometimes a bit obtuse on things, but they honestly strive to be better and to learn from the people in their lives. In the case of John Tregarth– he tried so damned hard not to fall for Vicky and then he did whatever it took to be worthy of Vicky because his original job was NOT conducive to being with her. (You must read the series to understand this romance. It’s got to be one of my ultimate favourite romances that takes many novels to get to. *sigh* When he confesses to her in Trojan Gold– it made me giddy and sigh at such a romantic revelation..and trust me…it’s not wimpy, just heartfelt in a way that you just can’t help but wanna do things to him. LOL)

So what makes a good hero in your eyes? What characters have you read that just scream TRUE HERO?

Finally….I’ve gotten done the next round of edits on my next release, Twin Flames of Imbolc, with fellow author–and best friend– Sharyn Tregarth. YAY! It was tough, but dammit, I’m glad. The story isn’t super long, but it’s indepth and it’s forced she and I to make some fundamental decisions about the Twins.  In this story, we touch base with my Marauders, the Fey, the pantheonic realms, the Djinn and more. It’s a story that truly links a lot of my worlds together as well as some of hers. But at the heart is the Twins, two of my favourite heroines of all time. They’re us and they’re not. They’re what we are in spirit, but at the same time they have flaws I’d not want ever. But they’re good peoples.

Having got this one done– it means Ride Me, Baby is up on the list next. That’ll make my publisher proud and it’ll be great since no one has ever seen this novel in its entirety except a couple of people. Bwahahaha! It’s my tribute to Harley Davidson and to motorcycles in general. LOVE motorcycles and the idea behind this is all Nancy Warren’s fault. LOLOL

Now it’s time for either a nap or at least some television watching. My head is swimming and this rapid weather change has me feeling crappy. Don’t tell my male. He’ll get angry at me. *sigh*