My Fantasy Vacation by Lynn Lovegreen

I have been fortunate enough to travel to many wonderful places. Whether it’s taking the ferry to Dutch Harbor, Alaska on the Aleutian Chain, or seeing Shakespeare’s Globe in London, much of my bucket list has already been checked off. But I would like to have a fantasy vacation, too.

I am taking the phrase “fantasy vacation” literally here—why confine ourselves to reality? My fantasy vacation would be with tour guide William Shakespeare.

We’d start in Stratford-Upon-Avon, where he’d show me around his hometown. He’d give an intimate tour of the places he lived in and frequented, and I’d meet Anne Hathaway (and see if they loved each other dearly—I’ve always wondered). And they’d introduce me to their three kids, too!

Then we’d go down to London. Shakespeare would give me a working tour of the Globe Theatre, including at least one rehearsal and a performance of one of his plays.—I have so many favorites that I’d let him pick one. None of them would disappoint me.—I’d sit back to watch and soak up all the gossip from the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (or the King’s Men if that’s the period we were in). Maybe a Renaissance colleague like Kit Marlowe or Ben Jonson would stop by.

Plus, I’d ask Shakespeare all the questions I’ve been pondering for years. What was his favorite play and why? Did he ever think those poems and plays might be preserved and enjoyed after his life? And why did he leave Anne “the second best bed” in his will?  

I know I can’t really go on my fantasy vacation. But it’s fun to imagine, isn’t it?!

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for almost fifty years. She taught for twenty years before retiring to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering at her local library. Her young adult/new adult historical romances are set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest.

Balancing Fantasy and Reality

by M. L. Buchman

So, I'm a participant in a fantasy book bundle that launched just a few days ago. And before I wander off to the "reality" of my thoughts on romance that this triggered, I'll first take a moment to talk about where the thoughts came from.

The Myths and Legends Storybundle (https://storybundle.com/fantasy) is an awesome collection! Monk's Maze is one of my early books, but it's one I'm still very proud of. Frankly,  I'm a little startled to be included in such a lofty crowd of fantasy authors.

And that's what got my thoughts churning (if you're still with me rather than off buying that fantastic, limited time bundle--just 2 more weeks then gone forever). If you didn't jump right over, please go there and just look at the covers, even if you don't read fantasy. Myths and Legends. Fantasy. Gods, dragons, magic carpets...and then scroll down until you see my title. It will leap out at you.

Go ahead,,,I'll wait.

See what I mean?

Why does it stand out so much? Because it's the only one with a realistic cover image--a person rather than a drawing. That is what got me thinking about what I write and how I write. That image is true to the story. It's set at the end of the Second Dark Ages. During the First Dark Ages, the monks were the once who preserved art, music, and literature. In the Second, I had them move off planet to preserve technology. Upon their return, humanity has moved on in several ways. And one piece that the monk brings back is the key to a Druid maze of power. It throws control over the shape of the future into one woman's hands. In this story, she must come to face her own power and find a solution that is uniquely hers. (Even back then I was writing about strong women.)

So, even writing fantasy, I stay very realistic in every way I can...at least every way that fits the story. Yes, there are swords and magic, but there are also politics, romance, and hours of research on things like the view of Edinburgh from the tower's battlements and I even made a trip to the lonely island of Iona from which Christianity swept over the Celts back in the 700s CE in a single decade, converting all of Scotland (as if by magic it happened so fast--an observation which gave me one of the core elements of this story).

I do the same with my romances. I have a number of military fans who tell me they are fans because I got it close enough to right that they can feel it. I even wrote a paranormal romance title (The Sum Is Greater) and managed to make it military romantic suspense in a very, down-and-dirty, realistic world.

Another phrase that comes to mind as I think about this is "The Art of the Possible" from the musical Evita. I want everything in my books to be possible or at least to seem that way. When I wrote about the Devil in my Deities Anonymous series, she's merely the Devil because she got the update and delete privileges on the Universe's computer system, while God was given the create privilege. Of course, if they had gotten along, the Universe would probably be a much neater place than it currently is.

I have friends (a number of whom are in that fantasy bundle) who live out in wild, wacky, fantasy worlds that I love to wander through...those aren't me as a writer. I think that's important to know about yourself. Maybe you're someone who straddles the fence. And sure, sometimes I take a walk on the weird and silly side, but there is still a deep realism to even my more fantastic stories.

Magic Realism is perhaps the best way I've heard to describe it. (Of course, there are a number of variations in how writers interpret that.) For me, Magic Realism means that it could absolutely be happening all around you and you couldn't tell. Not the dangerously overlapping worlds of Harry Potter and us muggles. Rather that I have no way to know if there is one seriously cool computer program running the universe, so maybe it is. Or maybe, St. Columba converted the Celtic hordes to Christianity not with his great piety and political savvy, but rather with the power of a lost Druid's Maze of Power, buried beneath the depths of Iona, Scotland, just waiting to be rediscovered and change the course of history.

...I have mentioned before that I love this job, right?
---

M.L. Buchman started the first of over 50 novels and even more short stories while flying from South Korea to ride across the Australian Outback. All part of a solo around-the-world bicycle trip (a mid-life crisis on wheels) that ultimately launched his writing career.

Booklist has selected his military and firefighter series(es) as 3-time “Top 10 Romance of the Year.” NPR and Barnes & Noble have named other titles “Top 5 Romance of the Year.” In 2016 he was a finalist for RWA's RITA award. He has flown and jumped out of airplanes, can single-hand a fifty-foot sailboat, and has designed and built two houses. In between writing, he also quilts. M.L. is constantly amazed at what can be done with a degree in geophysics. He also writes: contemporary romance, thrillers, and SF. More info at: www.mlbuchman.com.

Romantic Fantasy versus Reality

by Madelle Morgan

How do authors create those romantic fantasies we all enjoy so much?

The advice given to newbie writers is ‘write what you know’. I hear the collective moan from aspiring romance writers out there: Yeah, if that’s the path to success, then I’m doomed. No one would want to read about my life.  

Avid fans of romance certainly don’t want to read about an author’s real love life unless it could be convincingly portrayed on a cover like this:

Today I will let you in on a Trade Secret. Romance authors actually do draw inspiration from their real lives. I’ve created a short day-in-the-life-of-a-romance-author scenario to demonstrate how it works...

 Real life at the checkout:

“Ma’am, is this purchase a gift?” asks the pretty blond cashier with a metal post through one eyebrow.

“No,” Romance Author (RA) responds.

“Ma’am, the chart on the pantyhose package says this product is for women up to 5’6” in height and 150 pounds.”

“I’m 5’4” and it’s the last pair of Gossamer Silk.” But I weigh more than 150 pounds. At least I did the last time I dared step on a scale three years ago, RA admits to herself. Her shoulders slump under a faded sweatshirt. 

“Fine,” RA says through gritted teeth. “I’ll put it back on the shelf. Thank you for noticing.”

Later at the computer, Romance Author taps away on a work-in-progress:

Samantha dipped her head to slip one gossamer silk-sheathed foot into a Manolo Blahnik stiletto pump. Soft natural blond curls concealed cheeks flushed from her date’s heated gaze.

“Joe, can you zip my size 4 little black dress?"

Joe languidly quirked a dark brow. “Sweetheart, if I touch you I guarantee we’ll never make the reservation at Le Ritz,” he drawled in a deep, sexy voice that whetted her appetite. But not for food.

Real Life at the dinner table:

“You know I hate vegetables,” says Hubby, grimacing at the spinach RA tried to hide in a layer of lasagna.

Later at the computer, RA types the following:

The white-gloved waiter hovered, ready to take their order for appetizers. Samantha selected the spring salad. 

Joe dragged his attention to the menu, the first time he’d taken his eyes off her the entire evening. “The Oysters Rockefeller here are made with spinach?” Joe inquired.

“Yes, sir.”

“I’ll have a double portion.” When the waiter moved away, Joe leaned in, his ocean blue eyes locked on lips she’d moistened with champagne. “I’ll need the energy later.”

And so it goes...

Here’s a bonus Trade Secret revealed: No matter how difficult romance authors pretend it is to craft their stories, we enjoy the fantasy escape from real life when writing them as much as you do reading them! 

www.madellemorgan.com