Booklist
In our writing TBR pile:
How to write a Damn Good Thriller (Status: Reading)
Creating Characters (Status: TBR)
Creating Characters: How to Build Story People (Status: TBR)
Author Offerings
Three women haunted by horrors from their pasts. Four men who want to show them there's Nothing to Fear by Lacey Savage
Dragon Slayer now available at Noble Romance Publishing
About Us
Award winning author Lacey Savage (AKA Hunter Raines) pens erotic tales of true love and mythical destiny, peopled with strong alpha heroes and feisty heroines.
Fiona Jayde is an author of kickass, action packed romances and when not plotting murder and mayhem enjoys steamy romance novels, sexy spy thrillers, murky mysteries and movies where things blow up.
We love to talk about writing! Here, we share the "nuggets" we've culled from our huge collections of writing books, and chat about what makes us want to roll our eyes or raise our eyebrows.
Interested in guest blogging on Tips and WIPs? Contact us!
Pet Peeve
One of my pet peeves is a story where the Hero and Heroine knew each other in the past, yet neither of them realizes their connection until halfway into the story.
Of course there’s always circumstances which can make this situation believable – darkness, amnesia, change of visual identity, mistaken identity, state of mind, etc, etc. Anything is possible. Maybe they were both in complete darkness, young and foolish and drunk. But if its an experience they carry with them, wouldn’t they recognize each other in the beginning of a story?
In a story I was recently reading, both hero and heroine have been lusting after each other for weeks, stealing heated glances, experiencing the delicious first sparks of attraction. (I love that part in a romance!)
Then all of a sudden, the hero – after making sure it’s “really her” – reveals that he has been thinking about the heroine for eight years and now won’t let her get away… Whoa!
And the heroine suddenly remembers a shared kiss from long ago… To be fair, she has a much better reason for her forgetfulness then the hero, but wouldn’t she have some sort of niggling feeling about him? Something that she just can’t put her finger on, something that bothers her?
I’m sad to say it killed the story for me. I imagine the author intended it to be a great twist, but after loving the beginning, the story fizzled for me…
What do you guys think about this recognition business? Is it possible to really not recognize someone who at one point you weren’t able to get out of your mind?
I think you’re right, Fiona. That sort of ploy can gnaw at the credibility of a story and the characters. To be truly enjoyed a story must be easy to believe. I strive to achieve that in the stories I write. I expect to find it in the stories I read.
Hi Fiona!
I’m right there with you. That would have fizzled it for me. LOL I had a lot of crushes growing up. And I’d be able to pick those old heart-throbs out of a line-up anyday. What can I say, I was a goofy FFA nerd who liked the boys who liked Cheerleaders. LOL I had a lot of angst! ;o)
Sorry that book was a dud. Better reading next time! And I love this site! Great job!
While that isn’t a pet peeve of mine, that particular scenario does rankle a bit. But really, anything can pull you out of a story if its handled incorrectly. And in the proper hands, a tired, worn-out plot device can soar.
I take it you are talking about they knew each other in their own life past, not a past life? I agree with you on that. Now, I have know a lot of men, and I mean a LOT of men, and I remember every one of them, even the ones that I’d really like to forget! I might not remember someone’s name, but if he was someone who I had a stolen kiss, or other brief encounter, I doubt I could forget him. So why would characters in a story be any different, aside from ailments as you mentioned?
Anyway, nice little rant!
Rie McGaha…fantasy that keeps you up
http://www.riemcgaha.com
I love when the H & H already know each other. I can see a premise where one might not remember but both? Without knowing anymore it seems weird. When did they clik in? When Tab A went into Tab B?
Hey Fiona!
Great post. To me that is an inconsistency in the plot of the story and characterization for that matter. I would find it very confusing and definitely reduce the overall enjoyment of the story.
My favorite themes in romance are friends to lovers and reacquainted lovers and it would seem logical that the hero and heroine would recognize they knew each other.
I can certainly understand why it would be a pet peeve!
Thanks for sharing!
Best
Wow. Good point. Because if you really ‘fell’ for this person at one point–no matter where you were in your life–how could you NOT remember them when you were in a complete different place?
Rie–I agree. I’m in a monogoumous relationship, and you couldn’t DRAG me out of it, it’s so good. But I remember old relationships. I don’t dwell on them, but yeah, if XYZ boyfriend appeared in front of me in a dream, I’d KNOW him.
If it was signifcant enough that later I’d fall in love with him anyway. Which I think is Fi’s point…
Whew! Thank God! When I read the description of the blog I panicked. There’s nothing worse than hearing Fiona Jayde say: My biggest pet peeve is: and then have to wait to find out if you do it yourself.
Thank you fate. I don’t .
I’m trying to remember of a book that I’ve seen this in and I’m coming up blank but I know I’ve had to have read some. I guess it would be a bit almost too coincidental.
Definitely an interesting topic, but pleeeeeeease don’t scare me like that anymore.
=)
Frankly, this scenario has actually happened to me two times. But neither were worthy of devoting an entire plot to. First instance was because I hadn’t seen, spoken, or made out with the person in question since we were both pre-teens. Second time, the other person had put on so much weight, not only did her facial features appear completely different, but also her voice had changed. It had only been about five years since we’d last seen each other, and only after she’d told me her name and I studied the way she held her mouth as she spoke, the way she moved her hands, etc, did I believe her.
In reality, though, one or the other surely recognizes first, and at that point, something is said or blurted out…in reality. Like you, Fi, I like my reading on the believable side.
~Bryl
Hey GR – I totally agree about credibility gnawing you “out of the story”. Reality and believability are two different things, right? Vampires may not be real, but can be believable in the right hands
(This is where I squeal about how I love JR Ward)
Sarah – same here! I would be able to pick out any of my crushes – even if not at first, then by some clue while talking, etc. I just couldn’t get past that point in the book… Thanks for the compliment on the site! Lace and I had fun building it:)
Belinda – Great seeing you! Completely agree with your comment – even an old “tired” plot can be new again in skilled hands..
Rie – thanks for commenting! LOL If it were an actual past-life then that could be an interesting twist:) Sadly – in this case it was a past experience in the “current life”. I just couldn’t see how either HH could “forget” someone they had a crush on..
Mary – I also enjoy a scenario where HH know each other, but yes, in this case they “recognized” each other a few minutes before starting on the deed. (and LOL on the tabs)
Hey Lea! I love Reunited Lovers and Friends to Lovers theme! I agree with you about the inconsistency of plot – I think in this case it could have been easily fixed by a few niggling “where have I seen him other then my fantasies” thoughts or something along those lines.
HI Beth!! You’re totally right – how can one NOT remember someone they fell for at one time?? And same here about remembering/recognizing past crushes regardless of my current situation.
LOL Nicole – got you to come here and check it out, didn’t it?? Thanks for commenting!!
Hey Bryl! Same here about reading on the “reality” side. Regardless of genre, we want it to be in the realm of “believability”, right?