Sensuality

Inspirational Romance Writer's Workshop

Sensuality: Contrasting Inspirational and Regular Romance...

January 18, 2001

HOST WRTR Cynth: Let's get rolling with the WTR

.***Welcome to...Writing the Romance...

HOST WRTR Cynth: ***Tonight's special guest is...

HOST WRTR Cynth: Gail Martin!

HOST WRTR Cynth: ***Welcome Gail!

GailGMartin: Thanks to all of you for coming here tonight. Some of you know me already. I've been very blessed with 8 novel and 5 novella sales since my first sale in Sept 98 . Blessings galore - and recently I sold to Silhouette Romance. All my other sales have been inspirational.

HOST WRTR Cynth: ***Gail has graciously agreed to address...

HOST WRTR Cynth: ***Sensuality: Contrasting Inspirational and Regular Romance...

HOST WRTR Cynth: ***Gail, would you like to begin our topic? ga

GailGMartin: I found it interesting and difficult to find the right balance when working with a new genre

GailGMartin: I thought I'd share a few thoughts with you and then open it up to questions. If that's okay.

GailGMartin: First of all when we say sensuality - it has a variety of meanings. But basically it is that deep attraction, that desire that draws two people together. It is needed in both inspirational and traditional genres

GailGMartin: Romance is obviously the core of all novels. How this sensuality is expressed is the difference and is different even among similar genres.

GailGMartin: The challenge is to make a novel rich in sensuality, while bring a deeper love to the relationship. So how do we do this. I'm sure you all have your own ideas. But here's mine

GailGMartin: In all sweet and inspirational romances - there are some no nos. No explicit sexual content, no explicit violence and no cursing. But other than that, things vary.

GailGMartin: In inspirational romance, the sensuality is not physical. Though the H & H notice each other - unless they're blind - what really draws them together is their qualities and attributes.

GailGMartin: Romance begins first with awareness. This is the H & H's curiosity about each other - This leads to interest - they feel drawn together and finally attraction - fantasies of being together involving the senses This is the same in all genre. But let's look at the different approach.

GailGMartin: In inspirational - the physical attractions usually stays above the shoulders: hair, face, skin - shoulders, skin, eyes, etc.

GailGMartin: The hero and heroine connect with qualities that make them feel they have found a soul mate.

GailGMartin: In traditional romance - the physical goes below the shoulders. In my first Silhouette Romance - we see the first attraction of the Heroine to the hero. Her POV:

Lucas tucked his loosed fingers into his back-pocket tightening the denim across his backside, and meandered through the room, looking up at the high ceilings and crouching to eye the wide molding. Since Kathryn had already noted the woodwork, she eyed his tight jeans, amazed, then shrugged away her criticism. If the man wanted to wear trousers much too small for him, it was his business.

GailGMartin: Later - her POV

GailGMartin: She took a staggered step backward, noting his trim hips and muscular thighs against the denim

GailGMartin: Now - you won't see this description in inspirational.

GailGMartin: Here's the difference.

GailGMartin: Her cheeks on fire, Kate gaped at the two startled faces and lowered the flowered umbrella. "I’m sorry Phyllis," Kate's look darted from her friend to the widened nutmeg brown eyes of her dazed brother, then to her pitiful weapon and back to Phyllis.

GailGMartin: "I had no idea you were expecting anyone. I heard you scream and--" She turned her head to peer good-naturedly at the square, solid male at her side.

GailGMartin: Notice the total difference. No tight jeans - not even broad shoulders.

GailGMartin: It's been quite a challenge to find the right balance between the two types of romance. Can you imagine what Id' do if I wrote a Desire or Temptation!!

GailGMartin: I think that when we talk about sensuality - we need to think further than physical, no matter what genre we are in. Real love is based on so much more than body beautiful - and I think all of us when we think of our own relationships know that.

GailGMartin: When you create characters - no matter what genre - try to find things that make them flawed - but also attributes and qualities that show a side of them that make the man appealing - even if he's a rough tough cowboy maybe he loves dogs - or is good to his horse. We need to find those types of things that draw us to him - other than his broad shoulders. We want our characters to be endearing.

GailGMartin: Now as I said, I've had the opportunity to write for both inspirational and traditional and I have an example of the difference in a kiss between those two genres and I can share that with you later if you're interested. I'd like to see if you have any questions. ga

HOST WRTR Cynth: Sounds good.

HOST WRTR Cynth: Are there question?

M woolwich: I'm interested in the difference of kisses

Ddilcher77: ?

GailGMartin: With inspirational - we have lips touching - but no tongue, no deep fondling or arousal. With sweet traditional - the author has a little more leeway. You can make reference to his desire. By the way, the word desire or passion - is usually avoided in inspirational - so you can see how difficult it is for me to switch from one to the other.

GailGMartin: Let me give you an example from both of them.

GailGMartin: This is an inspirational kissing scene.

GailGMartin: Self-control and good sense rode off on the rhythmic waves of comfortable stillness. Scott lowered his mouth to hers, tenderly, his heart thundering like the ocean tide crashing to shore. A silent gasp moved against her lips, maddening his senses. When he withdrew, her eyes drifted open, glazed with anxious surprise. Kate shifted backward but her gaze remained locked to his. No words, only a soft melody filled the air. Then a delicate pink flush rose to her cheeks, and she evaded him.

GailGMartin: This is a scene in my next Love Inspired - Secrets of the Heart.

GailGMartin: Now - this is a scene from hopefully my second Silhouette

Romance - Fresh Beginnings - it's now sitting on my senior editor’s desk. <g>

M woolwich: ?

GailGMartin: With her sweater tangled beneath her, he gazed down at the knitted clothing pulling against her shapely breasts. Jess saw his eyes linger there, then inched upward to her face. Blood pumped through her veins as heat flooded her torso and across her shoulders. She wasn't alone. As she looked at Derek, he appeared to struggle with the mounting emotion of the moment. She could fight her instincts but from all evidence, she would be the loser in the battle. He turned to her side and slid his arm around her waist and drew her against him. His eyes softened, his gaze caressed her face, then glided down her throat to the neck and breasts as his hand rose in circles up her back.

GailGMartin: His lips moved as if to speak, to ask, but instead, she gave him her answer by raising her mouth, their lips touched like the strike of a match: sparks, fire, and heat. She felt herself drowning in a swirling, liquid blaze of tender lips: moving, undulating, melting. Emotion rippled through her body and her own moan united with his, and tenderly, he released her, their gaze still locked in eager surprise. Neither spoke. Then his hand lowered, gliding along her arm and touching the underside of her forearm, his finger moved against the side of her breast, and she drew in a shuttering sigh.

GailGMartin: OKAY! Can you see the difference.

HOST WRTR Cynth: Yes

GailGMartin: You notice that the sweet traditional in lengthier - more details, and more body parts.

GailGMartin: Okay - questions? ga

HOST WRTR Cynth: ga, Dd

Ddilcher77: How did Silhouette react to your manuscript? Did they request any changes? ga.

GailGMartin: My first SR - I had only a few minor changes - nothing major at all.

GailGMartin: That one was titled Heart Under Construction - but was renamed Her Secret Longing. I like my title better. That was the main change.

GailGMartin: ga

HOST WRTR Cynth: ga, Mwool

GailGMartin: Maybe I could explain something. My direct editor is Patience Smith.

HOST WRTR Cynth: Mwool, can you wait a minute?

M woolwich: I just wanted to comment on the excellence of the examples.

GailGMartin: I submit my MSs to her - she reads them and then sends me her thoughts and sometimes suggestions.

GailGMartin: Maybe she feels a quality is out of character or feels that I might want to stress something about that person. They only see my first 3 chapters and synopsis. Then I write the novel. She reads it and suggests any changes she thinks the senior editor might want - usually they are minor I fix those - send the new pages or whatever - and then it goes to the senior editor - by then the MS is pretty safe. ga

SarahStNy: ?

HOST WRTR Cynth: ga, Sarah

SarahStNy: what is the average # of copies sold for an inspirational vs SR?

GailGMartin: It depends on the line so that's difficult to answer.

Ddilcher77: ?

GailGMartin: When I write for Heartsong presents - they have about 20000 membership.

SarahStNy: thanks /

HOST WRTR Cynth: ga, Dd

GailGMartin: Love Inspired sells anywhere from 10 to 30K I'm thinking. Some go to Canada - and some go to foreign countries.

GailGMartin: I hope I've giving you the right info here.

SarahStNy: thank you.I was curious

GailGMartin: For the LIs, it's probably closer to 10K. For the Silhouette Romance and up it's much more. ga

Ddilcher77: Some publishers want the synopsis and the first three chapters. Do you suggest having most of your manuscript completed before you sent this to a publisher in case they want the entire book? ga.

GailGMartin: For someone unpublished or new to a line, a full MS is usually always required for a sale, so I would say yes have a completed or nearly completed MS before sending out a query. For an unpublished I'd say do a query first.

GailGMartin: Send a letter giving an idea of your story and any publishing experience you have.

GailGMartin: Small things that's been published whatever.

GailGMartin: Then they will say if they're interested - usually the next step is a proposal.

GailGMartin: 3 chapters and a full synopsis which cover motivation, goals, and conflict and resolves all issues in the novel. Finally they will ask for a full MS if they're interested. I had that happen at LI - and then was rejected.

GailGMartin: This happened twice before I sold. Talk about frustrated! ga

Ddilcher77: Thank you Gail. This is very helpful. ga.

GailGMartin: You're welcome!

HOST WRTR Cynth: More questions?

Ddilcher77: ?

HOST WRTR Cynth: ga, Dd

Ddilcher77: What if the small works have not appeared in a major

publication. Is it still all right to mention that as a background to your writing? ga.

GailGMartin: When I first started, I listed my church newsletter as a publication! I listed everything that I could think of <gg> Never be bashful about saying you had something in a writer's newsletter. Anything like that is fine. ga

GailGMartin: BTW - before I forget

Joyfulbee8: ?

GailGMartin: I noticed the discussion on novellas - and I wanted to mention that my novella is in an anthology called Christmas Thread and it is now #8 on the CBA Best seller list. I'm thrilled.

HOST WRTR Cynth: ga, Joy

Joyfulbee8: I can put the college magazine, but what about the school newspaper, would that help at all?

Aliso999: !

GailGMartin: Yes - college magazines, professional newsletter, all kinds of things like that show that you can write. Use everything that makes sense. ga

HOST WRTR Cynth: ga, Aliso

Aliso999: I saw that book today... wow.. I'm sorry I didn't buy it.

GailGMartin: Run right back!

Aliso999: lol, I will/

GailGMartin: It was 9th last month and 8th this month. Isn't that neat! ga

MThomp1595: ?

GailGMartin: That novella was picked up by Doubleday too for their book club. ga

HOST WRTR Cynth: ga, MThomp

MThomp1595: Did you already list a web site, Gail?

GailGMartin: No I didn't My web site is www.gailmartin.com - and I have logs from all the workshops that I do -so you can go back and check them out.

MThomp1595: thanks so much - I've missed much of the session tonight

GailGMartin: Also excerpts from my novels and the lovely covers. ga

HOST WRTR Cynth: ***Well, its that time once again...

HOST WRTR Cynth: ***Gail, do you have some parting advice for us? ga

GailGMartin: Just remember that physical attraction is wonderful but work toward adding loving qualities to your characters such as kindness, concern, support, thoughtfulness, etc. Those are elements of a lasting love -whether you're writing Desires SR or LI!

GailGMartin: Blessings to you all.

HOST WRTR Cynth: ***Thanks, Gail Martin!!!

GailGMartin: Oh, and shoulders and above for inspirational.

HOST WRTR Cynth: ***Wonderful information...

HOST WRTR Cynth: ***Thanks again...

GailGMartin: You're welcome.

HOST WRTR Cynth: ***A special thank you goes out to Gail, Alice, Kim and EVERYONE for coming!

HOST WRTR Cynth: ***This has been...

HOST WRTR Cynth: ***Writing the Romance...

GailGMartin: Thanks for the log - Kim! Bye

HOST WRTR Cynth: ***And if anyone would like to be added to the announcement

Ddilcher77: Congratulations Gail on your anthology. I bought It Came Upon A Midnight Clear and I'm reading it even though Christmas is over.

HOST WRTR Cynth: ***Thanks for coming....protocol has ended.