WRITING HOLIDAY ROMANCES
by
Karen Rose Smith
The Christmas holidays give the plot a structure. When I'm plotting a book, I fill in emotional conflict points first. But then I look to other events that can impact conflict and propel the storyline forward. Using the Christmas holidays gives such a selection of scenes to choose from—from trimming the tree to wrapping presents, from readying a Christmas crèche to hanging pine boughs in the local church, from watching kids perform in a Christmas pageant in the local church to kissing a new love under the mistletoe. Each one of these events can complicate or consummate a relationship.
Holidays provide sensory wealth when I'm writing descriptions. Any holiday elicits descriptions of decorations, scenery, ethnic traditions and scents of the season. Warmth is automatically established with a wreath on the door and cinnamon scent emanating from the kitchen. A cornucopia of Christmas balls on the dining room table to snowflakes dangling in a ball room give the reader an immediate sense of time and recognition of the calendar date. For me, descriptions just seem to write themselves because I have a history of holidays from which to draw colors and icons and fanciful imaginings.
During the holidays, memories especially provoke emotion. I think our hearts are attached to Christmas. The memories of both happy and sad ones tug at us year after year and seem to grow larger rather than diminish. Do you remember the first time you watched HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS or attended a holiday dance? Do you recall a loved one who you didn't expect to see share the holiday with you? Because of all the emotions I've experienced, my characters share my feelings and heartfelt sentiments. That imbues my writing. Love for significant others and family seems huger, wider and more encompassing around holidays. Emotions run high and conflict as well as connection lurk around every corner, propelling the plot and urging personal growth.
One of my favorite aspects of the season is the sparkle of delight in children's eyes. Children appear in many of my romances. They are so much fun to write about during holidays--their wide-eyed wonder, their questions about holidays past, their yearning for closeness with the people who matter most to them. When I write about them, I travel back into my childhood, putting out cookies and waiting for Santa, welcoming cousins to celebrate with me, reading the Christmas story, receiving a special gift from a friend and in later years from that special someone.
Most of all I write about holidays because readers identify with them. Holidays have universal appeal. Each year, I hope for the perfect holiday. I believe readers do, too. In a romance I can give that perfect holiday to them.
Holidays can provide an extra spark to a story. That's why I use them often. In ABIGAIL AND MISTLETOE, the storyline revolves around the holidays when hearts soften and love can grow. My heroine travels to a Colorado lodge to help someone in need. She's a trauma makeup artist who knows first-hand the feelings of rejection because of the port wine stain on her face. Abigail doesn't share her secret with any but her closet friends. A boyfriend once rejected her because of it. When she meets the lodge owner, a former stuntman with wounds of his own, she yearns for unconditional love.
Christmas is about forgiveness, kindness, giving and a search for those miracle moments the season is known for. I hope I give all of those to you in ABIGAIL AND MISTLETOE.
Excerpt from ABIGAIL AND MISTLETOE:
"Brady, I need to tell you something. I—"
He brought her tighter against him on the small dance floor. "You feel so good in my arms."
His voice floated around her, caressing her as his green eyes had. A voice whispered, Tell him, but a louder voice said, A little more time won't matter. Take this moment and hold on to it.
He brought her hand to his chest and smoothed his thumb over her knuckles. "What did you want to tell me?"
His hand on her back scorched through her sweater. His thumb on her hand created a rippling pleasure throughout her body. His shirt under her fingers, the scent of clean soap, his beard almost brushing her chin intoxicated her. "Nothing. Not now."
His nose grazed hers as he murmured, "Good thinking." He dropped the lightest of kisses on her lips, locked his hands at her back waist, and pulled her flush against him. All the air whooshed from her lungs as she laid her cheek against his shoulder and let his thighs guide their movement.
His lips brushed her ear and a shiver zipped up her spine. He must have felt it because he whispered into her ear, "You're a very sensual woman, Abigail Fox."
She lifted her head. "Are you trying to seduce me?"
Amusement mixed with passion in his deep green eyes. "Here? In the midst of this crowd?"
Several other couples had joined them on the dance floor, and most of the tables were filled. She wrinkled her nose at him. "I think I accepted a date with a wolf in sheep's clothing."
His amusement faded away. "My intentions are obvious. I want you. I'm not pretending differently."
Most of all I write about holidays because readers identify with them. Holidays have universal appeal. Each year, I hope for the perfect holiday. I believe readers do, too. In a romance I can give that perfect holiday to them.
Holidays can provide an extra spark to a story. That's why I use them often. In ABIGAIL AND MISTLETOE, the storyline revolves around the holidays when hearts soften and love can grow. My heroine travels to a Colorado lodge to help someone in need. She's a trauma makeup artist who knows first-hand the feelings of rejection because of the port wine stain on her face. Abigail doesn't share her secret with any but her closet friends. A boyfriend once rejected her because of it. When she meets the lodge owner, a former stuntman with wounds of his own, she yearns for unconditional love.
Christmas is about forgiveness, kindness, giving and a search for those miracle moments the season is known for. I hope I give all of those to you in ABIGAIL AND MISTLETOE.
Excerpt from ABIGAIL AND MISTLETOE:
"Brady, I need to tell you something. I—"
He brought her tighter against him on the small dance floor. "You feel so good in my arms."
His voice floated around her, caressing her as his green eyes had. A voice whispered, Tell him, but a louder voice said, A little more time won't matter. Take this moment and hold on to it.
He brought her hand to his chest and smoothed his thumb over her knuckles. "What did you want to tell me?"
His hand on her back scorched through her sweater. His thumb on her hand created a rippling pleasure throughout her body. His shirt under her fingers, the scent of clean soap, his beard almost brushing her chin intoxicated her. "Nothing. Not now."
His nose grazed hers as he murmured, "Good thinking." He dropped the lightest of kisses on her lips, locked his hands at her back waist, and pulled her flush against him. All the air whooshed from her lungs as she laid her cheek against his shoulder and let his thighs guide their movement.
His lips brushed her ear and a shiver zipped up her spine. He must have felt it because he whispered into her ear, "You're a very sensual woman, Abigail Fox."
She lifted her head. "Are you trying to seduce me?"
Amusement mixed with passion in his deep green eyes. "Here? In the midst of this crowd?"
Several other couples had joined them on the dance floor, and most of the tables were filled. She wrinkled her nose at him. "I think I accepted a date with a wolf in sheep's clothing."
His amusement faded away. "My intentions are obvious. I want you. I'm not pretending differently."
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IN TOUCH with KAREN ROSE SMITH e-zine
Mahalo, Karen, for bringing the holiday spirit to SOS Aloha! I am thisclose to finishing ABIGAIL AND MISTLETOE. I appreciate her putting me in the holiday spirit! Karen is giving away a copy of ABIGAIL AND MISTLETOE to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment of what puts you in the holiday spirit - snow? carols? mistletoe?
2. Comments are open through Saturday, October 20, 10 pm in Hawaii.
3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 21.
Mele Kalikimaka!
Kim in Hawaii
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| Hubby's barbershop quartet can sing carols for you ... ... and act like reindeer! |
Hearing the Christmas Carols being piped through the shopping centre gets me in the mood. I do love Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI love to decorate the tree. Turning on the lights puts me in the Christmas spirit
ReplyDeleteChristmas carol and carolers, as early as September or October there are already carolers singing outside our neighborhood and in different places. Some sound heavenly, some don't ;>.
ReplyDeleteChristmas Carols and sales ads!!! HA HA HA!!!! I have to admit that these last few years I do not get excited about the holidays! But I love listening to Christmas Carols.
ReplyDeleteBaking cinnamon cookies and watching romantic christmas movies awlways puts me in the mood for christmas.
ReplyDeleteAt some point each Christmas season, I have to find White Christmas on some channel. It definitely puts me in the mood. I've always done a lot of baking, mostly to give away as gifts, and I love the smell of cinnamon in the house.
Deletegift :D
ReplyDeleteno snow here :(
We haven't had snow for a while at Christmas. But decorations make up for that.
DeleteMary, Danielle and Lory Lee--The one time of year I particularly like being in the mall is when Christmas decorations are up and carols are playing. Something about that joint experience of hearing the carol is uplifting.
ReplyDeleteDebby--I love the twinkle lights. We don't decorate as much as we used to, but a wreath on the door with blinking lights and tree lights turned on in the evening brighten up the whole season.
ReplyDeleteWhat definitely puts me in the holiday spirit is wrapping Christmas presents. I usually start in October so I don't have to rush and I can enjoy the process. I have three cats. Tissue paper and wrappings are some of their favorite things. With Christmas carols playing, this always reminds me that the season is about giving.
ReplyDeleteThanks for having me on your blog. I wanted to share with you the book trailer for ABIGAIL AND MISTLETOE. Here's the link: http://youtu.be/AiH7pI9UdWo>http://youtu.be/AiH7pI9UdWo
ReplyDeleteIt's the Christmas Tree's for me. I love seeing Christmas tree's. All types, the big freshly cut real ones and even the fake ones that have been decorated nicely.
ReplyDeleteMary--When our son was small, we would go to a Christmas tree farm and we would ride on a flatbed wagon to pick out the tree. Memories and good times!
DeleteI like songs... It always make me happy.
ReplyDeleteMay--Each year I try to buy a new Christmas CD. This year it might be Blake Shelton.
DeleteI do like some snow for Christmas. We have a tree trimming party that is always fun. And I love seeing all the houses lit up. And every year we watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation as a family.
ReplyDeleteCatslady--We still enjoy driving around and seeing all the house lit up. I like going back to my home town and driving through the neighborhoods.
DeleteChristmas songs (especially White Christmas), snow, and the movies of Miracle on 34th St. and A Wonderful life put me in a Christmas mood.
ReplyDeleteCathy--I love all versions of The Miracle on 34th Street. I forgot about that one!
DeleteI think it's the lights and decorations that do it for me. In fact, this year we are going to San Antonio right after Thanksgiving to see the lights and decorations along the River Walk (check that off the bucket list!). I have gone into the city to see the decorations & lights in the 'rich' section of town! ;o)
ReplyDeleteKaren--I've written about the River Walk in a couple of my books, but I've never been there. The lights all along the way sound fantastic.
DeleteThe Christmas songs
ReplyDeletebn100--Well our discussion today made me press the button! I ordered Lady Antebellum's Christmas CD and Blake's!
DeleteChristmas Carols always put me in the mood. I also love to see all the Christmas decorations out in the stores. Christmas is my most favorite time of year.
ReplyDeleteDiane--Does anybody remember the high-ceilinged department stores with the elegant decorations? We had a couple in our town that had the mechanized Christmas scenes in the display windows. It was always fun to go downtown the weekend after Thanksgiving to see it all.
DeleteChristmas carols and seeing all the decorated christmas trees in stores.
ReplyDeleteLinda--Seems like Christmas carols and decorations are the winning mood-setters!!
DeleteDecorating puts me in the mood. This year I'm starting right after Thanksgiving - it's so much work to get everything put out that I want to enjoy it as long as possible.
ReplyDeleteDi--I like the decorations out early and I keep up the twinkle lights and wreath on the door until Valentine's Day.
DeleteThis is one that I am adding to my TBR. :)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, Christmas music puts me in the holiday spirit, but I cannot start listening to it until December.
I love baking during the holidays too, though then I want to eat it all. ;)