Tuesday, September 15, 2015

You Can Write Horror – Really!

Hi everyone,

Today I’m sharing a horror-related excerpt from my non-fiction writing book, You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction. As an author of more than 95 short stories and 19 novels, I’m often asked: Where do you get your ideas? How do I get published? How do you write a book? What advice do you have for writers who are just starting out?

I’ve answered these questions many times in interviews and addressed them in guest blogs, but I always wanted to say more. One day, I started thinking about everything I’ve learned over the years, and inspiration hit me: Why not write a book on how to write? The result? You Can Write—Really!

This fun and practical book walks you through the story-creating process step-by-step: from getting a great idea to meeting your characters, developing a plot, and on to writing, revising, and submitting your work. I also included helpful tips all writers can use, plus easy writing exercises to get you motivated.

Here’s an excerpt from the section on writing horror:

Horror readers want to be scared (or at least made to feel nervous), so start scaring people on page one. Use a clever hook, details, and setting to pull readers in. Start with a pool of blood on the floor or give us all the details of your haunted house. Let readers experience what it feels like to be chased across a field by a werewolf.

In horror, you can write almost anything and get away with it. Play on childhood fears and things people hate (or are afraid of). Here’s a short list: clowns, creepy dolls, being buried alive, stuffed moose heads, basements, closets, the dark…

As you write, keep the tension and suspense constant. Enhance anticipation and fear in layers. Your novel or short story needs twists and turns to keep the reader engaged and wondering, “What happens next?” Be sure to end scenes (and/or chapters) with a cliffhanger or other danger.

If your antagonist is a monster (of the non-human variety) you must believe your monster is real (whether he’s a vampire, a werewolf, or a slimy sewer creature). If you don’t write the creature believably, readers won’t buy into it. Make your monster as real as any other human character and show him in action.

Because your monster is not human, it’s okay for readers to hate him. They should know he’s bad news from the start of the story, so make him awful. You don’t want readers (or other characters) sympathizing with your monster—you want them to fear him.

TIP: Don’t mix monsters. Only include one primary monster or menace in your writing. Don’t have vampires, werewolves, zombies, and demons running around in the same story, attacking a town during a full moon on Halloween. It’s overkill—and not in a good way.

If your monster is human (serial killer), depict him at his worst. Don’t shy away from showing him doing really bad, socially unacceptable things. Horror stories are generally dark and explore themes and ideas that expose the bad side of people. If you’re not comfortable going to “the dark side” to write terrifying stuff, you may want to consider writing thrillers or suspense stories.

Your human “monster” needs to be fleshed out. Develop his character through details, give him a history, and show why he’s so warped. If your villain is a racist, show readers how nasty he is through his actions, dialogue, or vocabulary. Make readers hate him. Get readers emotionally involved so they can’t wait for him to get what he deserves in the end. (And he will!)

In a way, it’s fun to show two sides to your villain. Maybe when we first meet him, he seems charming and sweet and is a perfectly normal eighth grade science teacher. Later, when we see the torture chamber in his basement, we’re thrown for a loop.

When creating a human monster, take cues from reality. Most predators are cunning, manipulative, without remorse or conscience, and have a sense of entitlement. They’re great at tricking people and identifying weak spots or vulnerabilities. They are practiced liars and good at covering their tracks to avoid detection. In general, people underestimate them. Many serial killers blend into society and nobody suspects a thing—now isn’t that scary?

If you are writing a serial killer-type villain, be sure he exhibits traits consistent with a predator. He can’t be nice. He can appear nice on the surface as he lures unsuspecting people into his van, and he’s very polite—but it’s all for show. Underneath he’s dangerous.

TIP: There are a lot of books about serial killers/predators and their psychological profiles. Use them to understand your character’s thoughts and behaviors. If you are writing about a villain, you might need to know if he’s a full-blown sociopath or just has narcissistic tendencies.

I’ve written dozens of speculative fiction (horror and sci fi) short stories as well as three paranormal romances. For me, creating disturbing villains and exploring the “dark side” of fiction is fun.

Here are two writing exercises to motivate you to write a horror story of your own. How will you scare people?

EXERCISE 1: Take one of these first lines and write a few paragraphs about it. See what ideas come to you as you start writing.

Steve knew his house was haunted, but that didn’t bother him. He had bigger problems.

On a warm June day, the body of Ann Marie Duncan washed up on shore.

“I have to tell you a secret. I’ve got six bodies buried in the cellar.”

Mike got a strange call from Dave on Friday. After that, he never heard from him again.

EXERCISE 2: Here are some wild “what if” questions to get you thinking about story ideas. Pick a few and write three to five paragraphs about each. What if…

…archeologists uncovered a living mummy while excavating in Egypt?

…your character inherited a haunted house and knew the ghosts?

…a killer picks his victims according to their birth sign?

…the weird Goth kid down the block really is a vampire?

…a woman finds a blood-soaked clown hiding in her garage?

If you’re ready to get writing, order your copy of You Can Write Really! here:

http://www.amazon.com/Write-Really-Beginners-Guide-Writing-Fiction-ebook/dp/B00THWLFQU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1423749384&sr=1-1

Don’t miss my latest horror short, Kropsy’s Curse: http://www.amazon.com/Kropsys-Curse-Kelli-Wilkins-ebook/dp/B014IAH848/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1440681198&sr=1-1

Next week, I’ll be sharing more about the horror genre.

Until next time, you can catch up on all of my writings on my Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/author/kelliwilkins and my website: www.KelliWilkins.com

Happy Reading,

Kelli

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Horror – It’s Not Just for Halloween!

Hi everyone,

As loyal blog readers know by now, I divide my time between writing romance and horror. (Yes, I know it’s an unusual combination, but I go with it.) My horror stories tend to be based in psychological terrors rather than blood and gore. They’re set in a wide range of seasons and settings, and my characters run the gamut from small children to mentally fragile suburban housewives.

I like reading and writing suspenseful tales, and I got to thinking – why does it seem that horror stories and scary movies are only out in the fall?

Yes, we all know that October is “horror month” because of Halloween, but there are plenty of spooky things going on the rest of the year. Readers and writers of horror fiction know that a good horror story is just as scary on a warm June day as it is at midnight on Halloween. (Remember, JAWS took place in the summer, and a haunted house can be terrifying on a rainy March afternoon…)

So to celebrate the horror season early (If the Christmas stuff can come out in July, I can write about horror in September, right? Where’s the Krampus?), I’m featuring all things speculative during the months of September and October. My blogs will touch on my standalone horror fiction (including a new story!), anthologies, paranormal romances, (including vampires and shifters), writing horror, movies and… whatever else pops into my devious mind.

Let’s start this journey with my latest horror short, Kropsy's Curse!

Late one Halloween night, two young boys venture into a secluded graveyard in the hopes of conjuring up a spirit. Although Kyle is skeptical and would rather be home eating candy and watching horror movies, he reluctantly goes along with Jerry’s plan. He doesn’t believe Ouija boards work—until this one starts spelling out a message…

This Halloween-themed 1500-word short story is a cautionary tale about playing with a Ouija board in a graveyard. It's only $.99 on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Kropsys-Curse-Kelli-Wilkins-ebook/dp/B014IAH848/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1440681198&sr=1-1

Here’s a mini-excerpt:

“Where is it?” Kyle whispered.

“Over there.” Jerry swung his orange plastic flashlight to the left. “Why are you whispering? It’s just a graveyard. Ain’t no body here,” he joked, then laughed. “Come on.” Jerry hoisted his black backpack over his shoulder. “Hurry up. It’s almost midnight.”

Kyle’s sneakers slipped on the dewy grass as he followed Jerry down the last hill in the cemetery. He paused and glanced around. The moon appeared as a slit in the night sky. Dark clouds floated out of its way, and a sliver of pale yellow mixed with the blue-black night. Something made a noise off to his right, and he jumped. Maybe they should go home. This didn’t seem like fun anymore.

Kyle watched Jerry head deeper into the graveyard. He wanted to call out to him, tell him his plan was ridiculous, it would never work, they shouldn’t have snuck out and come here. Halloween night should be spent trick-or-treating, watching monster movies, and eating candy—not creeping around in an abandoned graveyard and trying to talk to a dead man.

I hope you’ll check it out! I welcome feedback and questions from readers and other writers. What subgenre of horror do you like to read (or write)? Zombies, shifters, werewolves (Dog Soldiers, anyone?), vamps, hunters (hello Grimm & Supernatural), Halloween-themed horror, ghosts, possessions, serial killers, creepy monsters….

Drop me a line and let me know!

I’ll be sharing more next week, and until then…

“Unpleasant Dreams”!

Kelli

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Setting the Stage for a Summer Romance

Hello romance lovers!

Summer is here! To celebrate, today I’m sharing a few thoughts on writing summer romances.

Take a minute and consider this scenario: A young woman runs a bed and breakfast in a resort beach town. While kayaking early one morning, she sees a swimmer caught in a rip current. She helps him get to shore safely and learns that he’s spending the summer in town. They are attracted to each other, but don’t immediately act on their feelings.

How would you write the rest of the story? Where would you take it from there?

As an author, I’m free to invent anything I want in my books. I create the characters, their backstories, goals, hopes, dreams, and disappointments. I’m also in charge of the setting and the details—and they are two important things to consider when writing a summer romance.

Summer is generally considered a “fun” time (except for the mosquitos!). Kids are out of school, people take vacations, friends and families gather around the pool, lake, or barbeque, and everything is more relaxed. All that can lead to summer love.

Everything’s hotter in the summer—including romances! Characters get hot—physically, as temperatures soar and the humidity rises—and hot for each other. Suppose a hero and heroine meet on the beach. They can get an eyeful of the other person’s muscular chest or long, lean legs. They’re both hot and sweaty (maybe he just finished playing a volleyball game). They may flirt, playfully touch each other, ask the other to apply sunscreen, or simply fantasize about what’s under that bathing suit.

In my summer romance, A Perfect Match, Vin and Danni are stuck driving across the country in July. At the start of the book, she’s professionally dressed, but as things heat up between them, she starts wearing playful summer dresses, sandals, and shorts. Her outfits were a great way for Vin to notice her legs and fantasize about touching her. (And his tank tops showed off his huge arms…)

Setting a story in the summer months opens a world of possibilities. Writers have more opportunities to bring the hero and heroine together and keep the interest going with summer escapades. Where you set your romance often leads to the types of encounters between your characters and also influences the plot.

Suppose your heroine lives in a beach town. Give her an interesting job that gets her out in public and she could meet Prince Charming. Maybe she’s a waitress at a tiki bar, is a lifeguard, or just happens to meet a hot guy on the beach. Or, maybe your hero is on a beach vacation to get over being dumped by his ex and finds himself falling for the woman (or man) he meets on the boardwalk.

When writing any story, it’s always fun to play the “What if…” game. What if your hero is a lifeguard at a pool and rescues the heroine—or her child? What if a boater is stranded out in a lake? Suppose your hero and heroine meet on a fishing trip? They play on opposing volleyball teams? Meet at a Civil War reenactment event?

Don’t be afraid to turn things around and try something unusual. What if a surfer meets someone who absolutely hates the sun? (That was the premise to my summer paranormal romance, Confessions of a Vampire’s Lover.) What if the hero is terrified of the water and has to overcome that fear to be with (or rescue) the person he loves?

But not every summer romance has to involve the water, sun, and sand. Anywhere you can get your characters together doing any summer activity is a great way to create mood and setting. Suppose your single mom heroine is taking her son to day camp and falls for the camp instructor?

Maybe your hero loves the woods and likes to hike, camp, or rock climb. Is your heroine attracted to the hot guy who mows the lawns in her development? The hero meets a sexy new neighbor at a community barbeque or fireworks display?

And don’t forget about summer sports: surfing, baseball, softball, or any outdoor event is a good way to have your characters meet. County fairs and concerts in the park are also great settings for love to blossom. Maybe your heroine falls for a member of the band…

Some summer romances have nothing to do with people on vacation or doing “outdoorsy” things, but still retain that summer heat. My contemporary romance, Trust with Hearts, takes place in the summer, but doesn’t focus on summer activities. Sherri and Curtis fall in love over the course of the book while doing everyday things, but I did work in plenty of seasonal details to give the book a summer “flavor” and spice things up!

If it’s really hot outside (and your hero and heroine are the naughty, adventurous types) you can have them go skinny-dipping in a pool, a lake, or the ocean. If your lovers are camping and feel the urge for a quickie, they could sneak off and do it in the woods (with the added thrill of the risk of getting caught), under the stars, in a tent (where someone might hear), or on a boat during a fireworks display.

Readers love being swept away by summer romances and writers enjoy creating them. In fact, summer romances could very well be a separate romance genre! They’re fun reads for a day at the beach and they’re an excellent way to add a little “summer heat” to cold winter nights.

So… grab an icy beverage, set out that lounge chair, and lose yourself in a hot summer romance.

Happy Reading,

Kelli

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Kelli's Quill - May/June Summer Issue

Kelli’s Quill

Welcome Summer Issue!

May/June 2015

I hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather and are making plans for a fun summer! This month in the Quill I’m sharing a few 5-star reviews for my writing book and posting an interview excerpt.

It's a double-issue, so let’s get started!

5-Star Reviews for You Can Write – Really!

My writing book, You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction, has gotten several excellent Amazon reviews.

Have you always wanted to write?

Are you looking for an extra boost of motivation?

Do you have a great story idea, but don’t know how to develop it?

Then THIS is the book for you!

You Can Write—Really! is an easy guide designed for beginner writers who need a boost of motivation and simple instructions on how to get started.

Award-winning romance author Kelli A. Wilkins takes you step-by-step through the writing process, covering the basics of plotting, editing, revising, and submitting.

She explores ways to get your creativity flowing, explains where authors get ideas, and shows you how to create interesting characters. Helpful tips and fun writing exercises get you started!

Order your copy here:

http://www.amazon.com/Write-Really-Beginners-Writing-Fiction-ebook/dp/B00THWLFQU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1428436650&sr=1-1&keywords=you+can+write+really

Here are excerpts from those great reviews I mentioned:

Long and Short Reviews gives it 5 stars!

“If you’ve ever wanted to write fiction, then you will want to read this book. In fact, this book has tips and techniques that will help not only beginners, but more advanced writers as well. All aspects of the craft of writing are covered, in the order that they are needed. The author is positive and up-beat as she encourages her readers. There are writing exercises in each section and I found these exercises to be interesting, with very specific suggestions made in ways that encourage the reader’s creativity. The chapters flow well, and the book is captivating, truly aimed at bringing out the best in the reader. 5 stars!”

Cozie Corner says:

“I give YOU CAN WRITE—REALLY! a 5 star rating. The Author, Kelli A. Wilkins pens YOU CAN WRITE—REALLY! in practical wording and easy to follow advice on how to write. I love how she broke down each section of the writing process and includes exercises on each topic she touches. Honestly I'm not a writer, but after reading this book I can see me giving it a try.... I highly recommend this book to everyone and anyone who ever wanted to write their own books, as well as those who have written books before.”

The Book Junkie writes:

“I give it a 5 star on well written, written in a way to easily help you write and help you achieve those goals of having a 5 star book yourself one day. I think this book gives you a lot of good tips of writing and how to get to where you are looking to go with your book. This book I think gives you exactly what you are looking for and more. It will help you to write the book you are aiming to write, the pointers you need to make it successful and more.”

The Literary Nymphs review:

“YOU CAN WRITE—REALLY! A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO WRITING FICTION has a lot of very practical advice that is easy to understand and follow. The author did a good job breaking up the various components of writing a book or short story, making you think you are in a creative writing class as opposed to an English class. Each section of the book was followed by exercises that used the principles she was trying to convey. I loved this book and the way it is so easy to understand and follow. The author did good job in organizing it. Whether you are someone just starting or someone with some publications, this is a good book for the bookshelf.”

Amazon Reviewer Nerdy Girl has this to say:

YOU CAN WRITE—REALLY! isn’t just for beginning writers, it has something for writers at every stage. With sections such as Meet the muse, Excuses, Ideas, Characters, Marketing, etc., whatever you're looking for, there's something here to learn from. This book breaks down the writing process and shares tips and tricks to help you to learn and grow. I highly recommend it as a reference and as a way to inspire and encourage you to move past writing blocks, and tap into your creativity.

Another Amazon Reviewer, Sally R., says:

I've read some of Kelli's short horror stories and really enjoyed the creativity behind them. When I saw that she published a beginner's guide to writing fiction, I was really excited to read it. I enjoy writing, but feel as though I could never really get my thoughts down on paper. I struggle with editing and had no idea how to submit to publishing houses. She explains everything step-by-step to avoid overwhelm and makes getting published completely attainable. I especially found the writing exercises to be useful to get my creative juices flowing! “

Read the full reviews here: http://www.amazon.com/Write-Really-Beginners-Writing-Fiction-ebook/product-reviews/B00THWLFQU/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Q&A with Kelli

Here are a few questions I’ve been asked recently. If you have a question you’d like me to answer, send it to me and I’ll answer it in an upcoming issue of the Quill!

For readers who haven't tried your books yet, how do you think your editor or loyal readers would describe your books?

Reviewers and readers have fallen in love with my unique characters and far-from typical storylines. My romances aren’t just about two people falling in love – I include interesting plots and blend in mystery, danger, adventure, or comedy to make them stand out.

I strive to give readers a happy-ever-after romance. I hope that they would think the book was a fun and sexy read, that they loved the characters and rooted for them to be together. (I’d also hope readers would recommend it to friends!)

Has there been any characters that started off as supporting characters, but then developed into a more prominent character?

Oh yes! This has happened several times. It first began with my historical/fantasy novella A Most Unusual Princess, I liked Dalton and Elara so much that I wrote a full-length sequel about them, A Most Intriguing Temptation. Then, while writing that book, I absolutely fell in love with Prince Allan (Elara’s brother), and knew he had to have his own book – so I wrote A Most Unfortunate Prince.

A similar situation happened when I wrote Midsummer Night’s Delights. It was supposed to be one story, but turned into a trilogy and was followed by Midwinter Night’s Delights and Ultimate Nights Delights.

I’m proud of all the books in these trilogies. Each one was a lot of fun to write, and I enjoyed following the characters through their adventures. Because I wrote each book without intending on making a trilogy, each book stands alone as an individual read.

A Secret Match is a follow-up (of sorts) to my other wrestling romance, A Deceptive Match. That book was all about a straight couple (Vin and Danni) and Everett (the main character from A Secret Match) was a secondary character. I loved writing for Ev and always thought “one day” I’d give him a book of his own, but I didn’t have a clue as to what the story would be. I put thoughts of him aside and then one morning he popped into my head with a four-line book summary. Within an hour, I had the whole story in my head and I started writing.

What three words best describe your main characters?

Over the years, I’ve created dozens of interesting and unique characters. The main characters in my three recent books could be described as: determined, flawed, and hopeful.

What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?

Right now, I’m revising a new historical romance and gathering ideas for a paranormal, and another gay contemporary.

In the horror department, I’m working on a few short stories. My latest Halloween tale, “Home for Halloween” was published in the Moon Shadows horror anthology. Read more about it here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N232UEG

Enjoy the summer!

Happy Reading,

Kelli