Sad

When I was a girl my uncle took, my mother, my sister, and myself to go see Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in theaters. Two weeks later when my father came home from a trip for work, my uncle took us to see it again, this time with my dad.

Shortly thereafter, I wrote a piece of fan fiction. I don't remember what I wrote, but I do remember four important details about it. One, it was based on the movie. Two, I didn't remove the part when Han and Leia kissed even though I was only eight. Three, it was the first thing I ever wrote that I completed. And four, my teacher read it, made a couple of corrections, and gave me extra credit for writing it. It was pretty long for my age, somewhere around ten pages.

This morning my husband told me nothing was really happening in the news. A few minutes later I got on the computer. "What do you mean nothing is happening?" I thought very loudly in my head, "Carrie Fisher died this morning."

RIP Ms. Fisher. You inspired an untold number of girls to strive to be all they can.

The Problem with Writing Good Characters

I have a ton of plans for future books.  The problem is all of my plans involve characters from previous stories.

So it works like this, I wrote Jake and Stephanie's story. I enjoyed it a lot. But each of his brothers now need a story. And that means Jake's friend Paolo needs a story.  Then each member of Jake's youngest brother Dan's SEAL team needs a story.

It snowballs from there.

Another example would be my baseball series which also stemmed from Jake's story. Though that was I planned to make 9 books. One for each position. And then the character I was going to get rid of, I've decided to redeem so it's going to be 10.  Oh but then I decided I needed to redeem another character so it's going to be 11.

That's the issue I'm having right now with Zack and Cassie's story. I love their story. But it's made me think about some other characters and now I want to write their stories too. Cause Cassie's uncle has a story. So does Zack's mother. Zack's friend Josh and of course Zack's teammate Anthony have stories. And if I'm going to do their stories, then I have to do Cassie's friend Suzy.

Yeah, I have a problem.

So if you ever have a chance to read one of my stories, know there's likely going to be another story in the series at some point.

Go write!

And Yet Another NaNo Is Gone

Well November went by entirely too fast for me. I got 50,000 words, but just barely and I'm really glad I made a ton of notes.

I'm still working on The Bear and The Maiden. I'm enjoying it but there is a lot of football to learn about so that some scenes make sense. That's where my husband has been awesome.

He was very excited to be diagramming football plays for me on Sunday. It was adorable.

He played in high school and was a nose tackle. Unfortunately he didn't get to play much and when he did play he'd found out his main goal was to cause chaos so he didn't bother to learn the playbook for his school. They told him where he needed to be and where he needed to go and he happily went about crashing into people.

It was hilarious to hear him talk about it.

So I have a little bit of time before I have to head to a nail appointment, I think I'm going to work on Zack and Cassie's story.

Remember a terrible first draft, is more done than a non-existent draft.

Wait, it's November What?

Okay, so I scrapped the Clueless in Space idea. Well, set it aside for a later date.

My sweet hubby came up with another idea that's more in my usual realm. We've actually been working together on it. It's been really nice to work with him.

So here's the synopsis for my new story, The Bear and the Maiden:

Zack Walters is tired. After a disastrous season in Miami, the NFL guard is seriously thinking about retirement. Not wanting to deal with his family over the Christmas holiday, he calls his best friend, Josh and plans to spend the holidays in Tulsa, OK, hanging out with Josh and his family, his former coach and his family, and talking recruit prospects with the two coaches.

Cassie Smith is excited to be starting a new life in college and away from the pretentiousness of Southern California. Wanting to be at least a little familiar with Tulsa and the college, she arrives at her uncle’s house just before the Christmas holidays, in hopes of settling in and not being so nervous when classes start.

As a favor to her uncle, Cassie heads to the airport to pick up Zack, who is still one of her uncle’s favorite players. Zack was expecting his old coach or his best friend to pick him up, not the little girl who looks at him like he’s a giant. When he discovers how much they have in common, he starts thinking about a new future, one with Cassie.

As you can tell it's back to a romance novel for me. 

That said I am in a bit of a panic since according to NaNo, I have less than 5,000 words written and it's the 14th.

Okay, I gotta go now, I need to get some writing done.

Have a great week and go write something!

All New

I write romance novels. Mostly. But once in a while, I have a crazy idea for a different type of story.

NaNo begins on November 1st and I've been in a bit of a panic, tossing one idea around, then changing my mind and tossing another idea around. But this afternoon, I was having a wonderful lunch with my husband and he told me President Obama had announced we would be sending people to Mars in the next ten years. My husband couldn't remember the exact year announced but knew about when it would happen.

This simple conversation has sparked an idea for a book for me. I love the idea and I'm looking so forward to writing it.

Here is my short synopsis from NaNo:
Title: Clueless in Space

Synopsis:

A routine trip to supply the newly established Mars colony goes horribly wrong...

These are the crew logs from that fateful trip.

I am so jazzed about this story. New idea, new characters, and new genre. Let's hope I can actually do 1667 words a day for the month of November.

 

To Do Lists

I had the brilliant idea a few months ago that I needed to add update this blog to my daily to do list.  And it has been on my list religiously for several months now. This past Saturday, I set up a new habit to work on, completing my to do list. And while this update is late, it has been on my list every day since Tuesday. Course Tuesday and yesterday I was out of the house most of the day so I couldn't update but I got to it today!

So, good news, I finished Paul and Maddie's book! I won't be complaining about them anymore. Now I'm in prep mode for NaNoWriMo. If  you don't know what that is, go now to their site. It's amazing.

I have participated in NaNo for 4 years in a row now and loved it each year. The first year I did a rewrite of story I had worked on previously. It is called Of His Own Accord. The second year, I did a story about a romance novelist and a SEAL, To Tame a SEAL. It was pretty awesome. The third year, I wrote a story, Not Quite Paradise, that is part of the same series from the first year I participated. It turned out really well, I loved that story. Last year, I went with an entirely new idea, The Taming of the Chauvinist, new series, new characters, it was great but after I hit 50,000 words, I stopped and never finished it. On top of that I wasn't happy with where the story was going and gave up.

The year of NQP, I woke up one morning just before NaNo began and knew the story. The entire story. Basically I just wrote what I had dreamed that morning.

Last year, I had a similar thing happen but it didn't include the entire story and when I was writing it, it took on a life of it's own and went a way I wasn't happy with. I haven't finished it yet as a consequence.

I've had several ideas for this year's NaNo. I'm still not sure which one to write. But I'm thinking about it and will update this with a firm decision hopefully next Tuesday!

New Series Idea

So this afternoon I had a new idea for a series. I'm not ready to share details yet, but I have something new in the works. I'll be sure to post here as I make progress on it.

Paul and Maddie's story is coming along nicely. I feel like I'm making a lot of progress and it will be a really great story when it's done.

I got my invitation to the Night of Writing Dangerously from NaNoWriMo a couple of days ago. That is the earliest I've ever gotten an invitation so I'm pretty excited. And my hubby says he thinks we can find a way to afford to go this year.  Who knows maybe this year I'll be able to stay until the end. I was so tired last time I went that I left early.

I recently read a book written in the first person. Now, that has not always been my favorite voice to read, primarily because writers tend to not use it correctly. They jump from head to head and write in the first person but from multiple perspectives. Which kind of ruins the effect of writing in first person.

Now, a very popular book that I won't name cause it does not need anymore publicity than it has already received but it was a trilogy and then turned into a movie, both of which had everyone in an uproar cause the sex scenes were supposed to be very risque but were more abusive and horribly written, did do the first person part correct. The story was told from one perspective and only one. Hers. That book was very poorly written though and horribly repetitive. Seriously if as a writer I have to tell you something the hero is doing is arousing, then I'm not doing my job as a writer. You should be able to tell it's hot.

This other book I read, while at times repetitive, was much better. The hero was a huge dick but as the story unfolds, you kind of see why. The story is told from her perspective and while her male friend in the story acts more like a girlfriend than a football player, at least the author didn't jump from one head to another. And I didn't get the impression the author heard something about BDSM and this story was her escape from the reality of her own life and the abuse she was suffering from, cause that's how the other story read to me.

Sorry, I really hate that other book.

Anyway, since I don't have the author's permission to plug her book, I will just say if  you message me, I will email you the title. If a first person point of view is the style you like, you'd probably enjoy this one.

Bug I digress. The book I recently read tells the story of a woman who goes to work as a personal assistant for a football player. He's kind of jerk for most of the story and sometimes you will be so mad at him for some of the things he does that you'll want to step into the book and smack him, but again I digress. The book begins after she's been working for him for two years and she's planning to quit. Which she does finally do and is very relieved to no longer have to deal with him.

Then he starts showing up at her home. He asks her to come back. She refuses. He offers more money. She still refuses. She's a graphic designer and finally able to support herself. It's her dream and she isn't willing to give it up.

He finally tells her what's going on with him. He is going to be deported at the end of the football season if he doesn't sign with a new football team or re-sign with his current team. He really doesn't want to go back to Canada, and he happens to know that she is $200,000 in debt due to student loans. So he makes her an offer, marry him and help him stay in the country and he'll pay off her student loans and buy her a house. After some negotiating, she doesn't want to be his assistant again, she agrees and they decide on a five year marriage.

It really is a great plot idea and I did really enjoy this book. There a couple of things that I wasn't fond of, namely treating her male friend as a girlfriend and the alternate story line with her best friend. It honestly felt like they were supposed to be the same person for much of the book.

All in all I'd give this book a 4 out of 5. It was well written and I did enjoy it. The missing star is because of the couple of spots that had repetition issues and the odd side stories that while enjoyable left a few unanswered questions. Overall, I would recommend it. So message me and I'll send you a link to the book. 

Making Progress

I need to do some serious goal setting.

Okay, I'm working on Paul and Maddie's story and it's a long one. Well, it's got a lot of chapters. I have been doing about two chapters a week. I think I need to step that up to 3 a week.

I've also been thinking about Jake's story. I love his story. I need to do some revisions on it and then I need to bite the bullet and start sending it out to publishers. That part is tougher for me.

So maybe two chapters for Paul and Maddie. One chapter of revision for Jake and Stephanie.

Then I've spend the day thinking about Andy and Jackie's story. Mentally making notes and thoughts about what might work for their tale.

So, now I'm thinking two chapters in Paul and Maddie's story, one chapter of revisions for Jake and Stephanie, and one chapter of outline and accompanying notes for Andy and Jackie.

Plus all the schoolwork I've got to do. And cooking. I need to be cooking dinner.

And blog updates. I need to update my blogs.

Plus I need to exercise cause I don't want to be anymore couch potato shaped than I already am.

So, we'll see how this week goes!

Off to work on schoolwork. Then writing. And a walk.

I'm tired already.

Chapter 23, Finally

One of the chapters I have really looked forward to writing in Paul and Maddie's story is the one I'm working on now.

In this chapter, Paul goes with Maddie to one of her rehearsals. Due to his concussion and the chaos such an injury can cause, he then proceeds to wreak havoc at her rehearsal. And yes he does drive a Zamboni.

The one issue I am having a problem with right now is finding the time to write. My house has been chaotic and having the chance to write without being interrupted twenty times has been a challenge. To say the least.

My husband asked me last night what would happen if I treated it like a regular job. So that's what I've done today. Treated my day like I would if I left the house. It's been pretty productive. Haven't gotten a lot of writing done, but I have gotten a lot of other work done.

Here's hoping I have a bunch more story done next week!

Go read!

Cory & Shannen

One of my more finished stories, at least the first draft is done, is the simple story of Cory Williams and Shannen Lewis. He is a baseball player and she is a video game designer.

Cory is at the height of his game, successful on and off the field. Until he and a woman he had casually dated broke up. Days later he's been suspended for starting a fight in a gay bar in San Francisco after the woman lied to the world and said he was gay.

Shannen's first video game has been nominated for game of the year. Her second game has been sabotaged at least twice. And the rumor mill has said she's lost her touch. She goes to a E3 contemplating shutting down her company.

A cousin of Cory's calls and invites him to stop moping and attend E3 as part of his gaming company. Cory accepts and meets Shannen. They hit off and quickly become friends. And then Cory gets the idea to fake a relationship with Shannen. It seems the ideal solution to both their problems. Cory gets a girlfriend who assures the world he's straight, and she gets publicity for her both her award winning game and for the game she's about to release.

Shannen agrees to the scheme more to help Cory, who makes her laugh like no one ever has, than to help herself. She's already trying to figure out if she'll be able to release her second game or not.

Everything seems to be going according to plan, people are believing their story. And then Cory introduces her to his grandmother. Shannen can't lie to the sweet old woman and tells Cory the whole thing is over. The only problem is, Cory has finally realized he's in love with Shannen and is pretty sure she's in love with him.

This is one of my favorite stories. And it perfectly sets up the story for Cory's brother, Clark.

I write all this to say, I've decided to put this story up on the site.

Here is the prologue for The Game of Love. Enjoy.

Some Days the Story Won't Come

I have been working on chapter 20 of Paul and Maddie's story for over a week now.

This chapter is particularly difficult because in 19 Paul did something that the repercussions of will be felt in chapter 20.

It's not horrible. Someone took advantage of his being out of it which will result in the team threatening to move him out of Maddie's apartment.

The hard part for me is that someone took advantage of his being out of it and then Maddie winds up having to argue with the team. Yeah, I know, I'm not making much sense. Trust me, it is frustrating.

Because Paul is an adult, he's still technically capable of making his own decisions, and they are not married, it makes it more challenging. She's not his conservator, she can't legally sign for him, she's not even his emergency contact, but she's the one who's taking care of him.

So, yeah, this chapter is a difficult one to write.

I think I can do it though. I just have to sit down and get it done.

Go hug your spouse, significant other, sibling, parent, dog, child, stranger on the street. Just go show someone out there, you care.

Paul & Maddie

So I'm still working on the hockey player/former figure skater story.

I really like this one. It's a difficult story at times cause Paul is dealing with the aftereffects of a concussion.

My husband suffered a mild-moderate concussion more than 10 years ago and I have to tell you, he was a pain in the butt. 

On the plus side, it gave me a ton of material for this book. I talked to my husband because some of the stuff that's going into this hits kind of hard. He agreed that I should write it anyway. That it might help me deal with it and the story might help someone else going through similar stuff.

There is a great scene though where he takes a nap on the kitchen counter. Cause it looked like a good place to nap. Seriously, my husband did that.

I've made quite a bit of progress on the story. Now I just have to keep plugging away at it. Good thing I've got a great outline and planned for short chapters.

Now, in honor of love, and because it's my blog and I can be bossy, go find some simple task your significant other hasn't had a chance to do. Whether it's picking up something they keep meaning to get to, a chore they don't particularly like doing, or even just getting them something you know they like to drink. It will mean the world to them to have a little help.

Wow, It's April!

I  have had one of those years. And it's only April. Okay Mid-April. My point is the same.

I've been busy learning networks for school (yuck, not my cup of tea), helping my husband who hurt his knee last year and is still not better, and trying to write.

So far, I'm successful about 3 days a week on the writing part. Not nearly enough in my opinion.

Tomorrow, I get the (joy?) of taking a relative to do their grocery shopping. This particular relative and I have had a strained relationship for the past couple of years. Possibly my inspiration for some of my stories. So, I'm both looking forward to and dreading the experience. We'll see how it goes.

Enough about my non-writing life.

Music. I really prefer to have music playing when I write. Usually I find a song that seems to "fit" the situation I have put my characters into. At least, when I do, I usually finish the story instead of setting it aside while I work on something else.

Right now I'm working on a story about a hockey player named Paul and the woman who steals his heart, Madison. Inspired by...I'm not going to say.

In any event, I've been listening to a very popular album from a studio that was made famous for a mouse.

Here's hoping I don't drive my husband and daughter away with my music before I finish my book.

If anyone knows of someone who does book covers, message me!

Have a great week!

Introduction

Welcome to my page!

My name is Hannah and I'm a wife, mother, student, and planner of mischief and sexual encounters between the people in my head.

I'll warn you now, my stories are like my children so be nice!

Anyway, I went back to school a few years ago and am getting close to done with my bachelor's degree. Though if people don't leave me alone so I can study, it's going to take at least another ten years.

I have a college-age daughter and I hope that if I keep calling her that she'll actually go to college now while her brain is young instead of waiting until she's old and can't remember if she ate breakfast, like I did.

I married an incredibly patient man who has had enough concussions now that patience is really more a memory than a day-to-day thing. At least with most people. He's still pretty patient with me. We've been married for over 17 years and he's still my best friend. Quite a feat since I tend to annoy him. :)

I started writing seriously in 2008 when a friend of my husband's was going through a rough time. He and his wife had split up and it sparked a "what if" question in my brain. I started making notes and an outline. A few months later, I had a rough draft for my first story, Of His Own Accord. I love Jake's story and not just because it was the first one I actually wrote all the way through. I love the growth you see in the characters and I love his family.

That first story has sparked several others, both in that series and for other series as well. You'll find links to them at the top of my blog. Each series has its own page. Feel free to explore and look around.

I love talking to other authors and readers so feel free to comment on any post or email me: hannah.bryint@gmail.com.

My current plan is to update this weekly. However, I have a life that occasionally gets in the way, so sometimes the updates may be delayed. I do hope to update on Tuesdays, if that helps any.

Thanks for looking around and have a great week!