Comments on: Saturday Guest Blogger: Wendy Etherington!

By: PatriciaW

PatriciaW — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 22:22:45 +0000

I read Wendy’s last book for Temptation and loved it. I’m glad her stories have a home in Blaze because I enjoyed What Happens in Vegas… too. Reading her writing advice, I understand why.

By: Samantha

Samantha — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 04:57:15 +0000

I just finished all the BLAZE books for this month — And I really enjoyed yours. Gideon Nash is one of my favorite heros in a long time.
I can’t lie, I did not grow attached to Jacinda the way I did to him, but I agree with your advice, Gideon was meant for Jacinda.
And I wish that I could read stories with heroes like Gideon all the time… SO dreamy!

By: kim h

kim h — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 04:49:32 +0000

love your books wendy, good to see u here :elf:

By: Patricia Cochran

Patricia Cochran — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 22:55:26 +0000

Welcome, Wendy. I’m not a writer, but your information has given me a great insight
into what goes, or should go, into the process of producing the the books I love to
read! Thanks for joining us today!!

Pat Cochran

By: jeannie & Zoey

jeannie & Zoey — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 22:48:54 +0000

Hi Wendy I will have to get a copy of “What Happened in Vegas”

on my way home today.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day tomorrow!

Gee Zoey is 10 months old today and still 3lbs. 4 oz..

My how time flies.

By: Julie Leto

Julie Leto — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:58:38 +0000

You know, Wendy, if I had a “dream” person to do a workshop that I could attend, it would be Joss Whedon. The man is a frickin’ genius in characterization, both male and female. But I think he really gets women in ways other writers (particularly men-in-Hollywood) don’t.

An homage to Indiana Jones? I’m all over it! I have my own homage in my upcoming book. A secondary character named Ben. Loved writing him. Loved. What’s not to love?

By: Wendy Etherington

Wendy Etherington — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:51:17 +0000

Glad to see everybody here! If you read Vegas, let me know what you think. Gideon was my homage to Indiana Jones. (Hey, if he’s good enough for Spielberg…

To Paula R’s question about always being a hero writer…I think I always have been, I just never realized it until one of my editors pointed it out a few years ago. (We writers are character-perceptive, it seems, but not always self-perceptive.)

I like a lot of things guys do–computers, fast cars, sports topping the list. And even though I consider myself a serious girly girl, I was a big tomboy growing up. For whatever reason, I get guys better than girls most of the time.

Which brings up another point–don’t forget to have your hero THINK like a guy. Since guys think about sex 98% of the time, this is pretty easy when you’re writing for Blaze. But you can do it in other series or ST books as well. Example: my guys generally don’t think about all flowery and pretty about their feelings. They may have meaningful or prophetic moments, but they’re really limited. I’m not big on melodrama. And though I know writers who do it very well, I know I don’t. So that probably helps with the guy POV.

I do well with dry humor and sarcasm. Call it the Joss Weadon School of Writing.

Joss Weadon is the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, if you’re not aware of him. Total genius. A guy who really understands what female viewers/readers go for. (For reference see: David Boreanaz, Marc Blucas and James Marsters.) And, yes, we could go on all day analyzing those amazing characters.
–Wendy

By: Estella

Estella — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:08:30 +0000

Great advice!
I am looking forward to reading the Vegas book.

By: Donna M

Donna M — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:44:21 +0000

Wendy, Welcome to the Jungle. Your “Vegas” book is on my TBR shelf & I will be reading it soon! I have no desire to be a writer but I loved the advice you gave here today and it made me realize even more what I like in a hero. Yummy, of course, but yummy is really a personal taste.

Right now I happen to be reading one of Janelle’s Wilde books, the one with Mia & Cameron.

Happy Easter weekend Wendy & all the rest that stop by.

By: limecello

limecello — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:39:38 +0000

Wendy,
Thanks for visiting today - great advice! I just bought “What Happened in Vegas” and I can’t wait to read it