I cleaned out my office last weekend after discovering there wasn’t enough room in my filing cabinet for even one more set of notes, one more receipt or one more measly bookmark. My drawers were full to bursting with paperwork I might need one day.
But since I usually only go to my file drawers when I want to put something away rather to actually retrieve something, I decided I’m keeping too much.
Office cleaning can, by turns, be fun and amusing or sad and nostalgic. Going through those paper piles of my professional life was like a mini “Joanne’s Life in Review,” calling to mind the best of times and crappiest of times.
Take for instance the contest critique of my unpublished manuscript calling my heroine stupid. I saved that one since I sold the book in question within weeks of the critique and it gave me an evil thrill to think I’d triumphed over the naysayer. Then there are the abundance of synopses for connected stories I’d penned in my effort to conquer synopsis format and sell a series. I love those stories—each and everyone that’s still unsold. They are real books to me and I haven’t gotten the chance to make them real books for readers yet. I hope I get the chance to do that one day.
Some of the more interesting finds were the notebooks I kept for earlier books—sold and unsold alike. There are pages and pages of research on a variety of story aspects, notes on hairstyles for historicals, notes on the hero’s profession for a contemporary. When did I stop keeping such great cheat sheets? The older the book, the better the research
Now, I’d like to think that it’s not because I’ve gotten lazy that I don’t investigate as many plot points these days. I choose a lot of familiar settings to me so that I can draw the written picture quickly. And because I write so much every day, I like doing research now by calling experts in the field and having a conversation instead of having to write more words, a practice that doesn’t leave much of a paper trail.
But I rediscovered something interesting among all those old notes. There was a joy in making lists that I’d forgotten. A delight in bullet statements about my characters I’d gotten away from. My cleaning project made me put pen to paper again—instead of fingers to keyboard—to scribble an old fashioned list. I’m labeling this first one “Unusual Settings for Love Scenes” just to see what kinds of cool ideas I can generate for future Blazes. It’s not really research… more like brainstorming. But it’s a fun facet of writing that calls on different parts of my creativity than stringing words together.
So what do you say? Any great ideas for a good love scene? Enjoy the process of throwing out anything and everything and I’ll just go grab my pen…
Prize One random poster will receive their choice of any Blaze on Joanne’s backlist. Winner chosen Monday, July 17th.
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Exotic or different locales would be interesting (jungles, beaches, snowed-in cabin, a boat etc.) Hmm…maybe under a waterfall somewhere.
by Jennifer Y.
on July 15th, 2006 at 9:04 am
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I’ve always liked scenes set at work, in an office, not because of the thrill of getting caught, but more because it’s kinda wicked to think of doing something you’re not supposed to and not getting caught LOL. And what a good memory to think about when you’re at work ;)
I remember seeing a soap opera years ago where 2 characters who didn’t like each other but who really really attracted together were trapped in a steam room - very hot. Literally. And very sexy.
I also think outside is sexy, maybe during a rainstorm or even on a balmy evening, with only the sounds of nature as your soundtrack. There’s just something about wide, open spaces that’s very romantic.
by Stacy ~
on July 15th, 2006 at 9:22 am
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Any locale outside…ponds, lakes, gardens, fields, forests, swings/hammocks, pools, ect. And it is always interesting when it’s raining or a thunderstorm:D
by Kathleen
on July 15th, 2006 at 9:48 am
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See, who said cleaning house isn’t a rewardable experience. 
Glad you got some good ideas. I can’t write for beans and have no imagination; so sorry I can’t help you out. I once read about a love scene on a motorcycle and on a horse.
by Pat
on July 15th, 2006 at 9:57 am
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Stow away in a furniture store after hours (bedroom furniture).
Roof top of a building (flat top), maybe one that has plants & other items for viewing.
by Tammy G.
on July 15th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
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Some great scenes would be on a beach, a secluded waterfall spot, under the stars (camping), a cabin in the mountains….not too original!
by Sandra M.
on July 15th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
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I am in the middle of watching a baseball game…so that is my inspiration. A love scene at a sporting event! Before, during, after the game…they all of possibilities!!
by Patricia J
on July 15th, 2006 at 2:34 pm
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in a staduim or locker rroom is always fun. a sports theme love is always good.
by kim h
on July 15th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
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A lonely cabin by the lake, surrounded by forest.
by Minna
on July 15th, 2006 at 3:21 pm
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I would like a love scene that takes place while the hero and heroine are battling a blizzard.
by Estella Kissell
on July 15th, 2006 at 3:47 pm
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Trapped in a cave, cabin, storm celler…b/c of severe weather conditions.
by Maureen A
on July 15th, 2006 at 4:19 pm
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Any exotic location and then add the beach, a pool, a hammock, or just a jacuzzi.
by Maureen
on July 15th, 2006 at 6:12 pm
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I started six different answers here, then said “oh - oh - how about” and erased the first one (eventually all six) because I couldn’t pick just one.
But you write pretty kick ass love scenes without my suggestions, so I guess you’ll do just fine without them :P
by Karen
on July 15th, 2006 at 7:23 pm
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I don’t think you need my help either. Maybe in a museum?
by Karen T.
on July 15th, 2006 at 7:29 pm
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Female doing workout at local gym with her personal trainer. They work out
for a short while and then feelings take over both of them whilst the trainer is
helping female work out. They try out all the different machines with both
on them at the same time.
by Robyn
on July 16th, 2006 at 1:53 am
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I love a cabin read, I know, I’m thinking of a cabin up on the mountains with snow and being stuck proably because its been so hot and humid here! But truely, I love those cabin reads where there is making love in front of the fireplace, so romantic, but too when its warmer out and at a cabin, doing it under the moonlight knowing no one is around. So a cabin read can go any time of the year.
by Cathie
on July 16th, 2006 at 5:10 am
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I don’t know why but I’ve always loved elevator scenes. :)
by Cheryl S.
on July 16th, 2006 at 8:08 am
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I love being stranded in cabin together also. The closeness really make for the sparks to fly.
by Helen Mac
on July 16th, 2006 at 8:30 am
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Yea! One with me in it ’cause I’m not gettin’ any.
Hi Joanne! :D
by Melissa
on July 16th, 2006 at 10:30 am
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During a rain storm in a secluded area.
by Susan
on July 16th, 2006 at 11:25 am
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I love sports related stories, particularly baseball. SEP, Deirdre Martin write wonderful football and hockey stories.
by Helen L.
on July 16th, 2006 at 2:24 pm
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In a room at a church while at a wedding or baptisimal is taking place, in a store room at a hospital, or place of business, in a attic while searching for something, on a island in the middle of a lake, in a house’s basement or possibly parent’s house while a party is going on, on a swing, on a boat, in a tent, under the stars…………..
by Laurie G
on July 16th, 2006 at 8:07 pm
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In a closet during a big party - charity event given by the rich and famous.
by Joanne V.
on July 16th, 2006 at 8:46 pm
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Will you look at this list??? :D I love it! Great ideas! Makes me think it would be fun to let a whole story be inspired by one fantastic love scene I want to write. I often come up with a character or both characters first, and sometimes I come up with the plot first. But what if the love scene came first and dictated all the rest? Could be tons of fun!!
My pen’s been busy this weekend. Thanks for the help :-).
by Joanne Rock
on July 17th, 2006 at 11:15 am
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The winner of any Blaze from my backlist is Helen Mac. Congratulations, Helen and thanks everyone for the great ideas!!
by Joanne Rock
on July 17th, 2006 at 11:17 am
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wtg helen
by KIM H
on July 17th, 2006 at 11:29 am
