The Power of Illusionary Allusion
Published October 29, 2011 | 
Illusionary: of, or pertaining to, illusion; deception.
Allusion: a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication.
Writing: a combination of both.
I was working on a critique for a writing partner and we were talking about how to fill in some plot holes. You know, those glaring, empty spaces where you know something clever should lurk but, instead, are filled with black holes of nothingness. Clearly I’ve experienced this before. Even more clearly, these things terrify me. But working on her manuscript, I started to see things in a new way. It was sort of a literary epiphany of the most basic kind. I felt ridiculous for not having been able to articulate it before that point. I’m writing this post quickly in the hopes of (a) remembering the experience of revelation and (b) saving you the same sense of “duh” that I felt.
As writers, we’re trying to sell a sense of our own mythology, or at least the mythology of our own making. We’re asking the reader to suspend their disbelief in reality for however long it takes them to read the book. We’re hoping the book sticks with them long after the read. One of the ways we do this is by filling in our plots and subplot, layering in details that force the holes to reject the vacancy that they are. How do we do that? How do we weave in substance? Illusionary allusion.
Say it ten times fast: illusionary allusion. What I mean by this is we, as authors, take what we want the reader to believer (the illusion) and we allude to it (allusion). It’s a very subtle dance, more like a planned seduction of the mind and — if the writer’s any good — the senses. We work to take the story and blend in the illusion that our reality is the reality, that our truths are the truths, and we do so by dropping in carefully worded statements, leading conversations, environmental hints and more. We evoke the reader’s senses and focus their eye in one direction, while encouraging the mind to say, “But what if…” That, that, is the power of the written word.
Illusionary allusion is used in all types of art. Look at the picture at the top of this post. What do you see? It is suggestive, though not concrete. It is fluid, but firm. The zebra’s form is alluded to, and the mind fills in the blanks and makes the picture make sense. It’s what we do as we seek to make sense of our world, literal or fictional. It’s why surprise endings in mysteries thrill us — we didn’t see them coming. The clues were there, the illusion of normalcy overlaid. The mind takes that which was alluded to and completes the picture, however false, that the writer wanted us to see. When the illusion is removed, we see the allusion should have been more clear to us.
As writers, we have an obligation to layer things carefully and thoughtfully. As readers, you are entitled to the richness of experience that illusionary allusion creates. It’s a skill that can be used in almost every genre, and one I think doesn’t get enough attention.
I wish you happy reads!
And the Winner is…
Published October 27, 2011 | 
Big congratulations to
Catherine Lemanski
the winner of the autographed copy of Selena Robins’
What a Girl Wants
Good Enough Never Is
Published October 25, 2011 | 
“It’s good enough.”
It’s a common phrase, one we’ve all used at one point or another. But what about when it comes to our writing? Have you looked at a paragraph and thought to yourself, “It’ll have to be good enough”? If you have, you need to print this picture and put it over your computer with the following phrase:
Good enough never is.
It might sounds a little harsh, but truth is more often hard and angular than soft with safety edges. There are thousands upon thousands of writers, published and unpublished, who seek agents, editors and publication every year. They are out there competing with you for the rare vacancies on the most elite agent rosters and for the limited production slots at publishing houses. These writers are devoting time and energy into making their hobby a profitable one, one that (hopefully) turns into a career at some point. They are doing their very best to write better than you, to be more creative, to develop a stronger voice and to create more unforgettable characters who live in extraordinary worlds. It’s all done in the hope that their manuscript is better than yours, and many of them won’t settle for “good enough.” Why should you?
It’s so incredibly important that you commit to doing your very best when there’s no one around to make you do it. I suggest that writers make a pact with themselves. It doesn’t have to be shared, but I’m going to put mine out there for your consideration. Often just putting your commitment in writing helps your brain assign the list value. My five pact points are:
1. I will honor my voice and nurture my creativity.
2. I vow that I will treat each page as if it has the potential to make or break the plot.
3. I swear that I will push myself to create worlds laced with the outrageous and colored with the subtle, weaving them together until they create such a unique backdrop that the reader will never be able to separate them into individual components again.
4. I will do my very best to honor my readers and respect the covenant I create with them when they choose to read my stories.
5. I promise, on all that I am today and all that I may be tomorrow, that I will not settle for mediocre in anything I do.
Keep in mind, these are the things that work for me, in all their many interpretations. What would you add, or take away, from this list when you write your own pact points?
Posted in Agents, Critiques, Editing, Editors, Marketing, Miscellaneous, Publishers, Querying, Random Ramblings, Synopsis, Writing | 
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Leave a commentSelena Robins Chats on Halloween Horror
Published October 21, 2011 | Please join me in welcoming one of my favorite authors, Selena Robins. She’s generously offering an autographed copy of her paranormal romantic comedy, Sabrina’s Destiny, as a prize to one reader. To enter, leave a comment at the end of her blog; include your email so we can contact you and get your mailing address.
Without further delay, here’s Selena review of a handful of Halloween classics and a delish bonus recipe for a fall casserole:
I’m an avid Audrey Hepburn fan, so I have seen all of her movies. Her movies have made me laugh, cry, daydream and sigh with contentment. There are no monsters, zombies or evil vampires in this movie, but Wait Until Dark had me literally jumping out of my seat in fear. The movie slowly builds tension, increases it throughout the movie and holds on to it until the very end. The brilliant performances make you care about the characters and connect with them all (both the good guys and bad guys). It’s Audrey Hepburn who is the shining star of this movie, with her realistic portrayal of a blind woman who needs to rely on her senses and brains to keep herself alive. Wait Until Dark is a thriller masterpiece, and I recommend it to anyone who appreciates an intelligent plot and wants to be scared at the same time.
Time Enough At Last (Twilight Zone Episode)
This isn’t a movie, but it is one of the scariest shows I remember watching. For those who haven’t seen this episode, warning: I’ll be posting a spoiler. What scared me the most about this movie was the ending. Again, there were no characters that go bump in the night, it’s a story about a bookworm who wanted one thing—to be left alone to read as much as he wanted . He was unhappy at his job, had a nagging wife so he kept wishing they would all go away so he could just read the books he loved. He took a lunch break in the bank’s vault one day, and a nuclear war destroyed the world, fortunately he was saved. He leaves the vault and goes to the public library and finds all the books are intact and readable. Finally, he can read all he wants without being interrupted. He accidentally breaks his thick glasses, he’s virtually blind without them. He can’t put his glasses together because he can’t see a thing. He got what he wished for, he was left alone. Burgess Meredith’s performance and the intensity of his passion for books along with the ending, was a frigtening to watch.
Jaws
Great white hungry shark. Beach resort. I love the beach, I love to swim. The sound effects still reverberate in my head, any time I go to the ocean, and those warning flags, brings the whole movie back to life for me.
Carrie
I actually found this movie more sad than scary—up until the end. I felt so bad for Carrie, the way she was mocked, teased and bullied, even by her own mother. The story itself didn’t scare me, as I thought the gory scenes were a bit over the top. However, the last scene with her hand coming up from the grave—yeah, that made me jump out of my seat.
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Author of genre-defying, witty, sexy romances, Selena is a dragon slayer and a chocolate guru. In love with her husband, family, friends, reading, writing & red wine, Selena dances with her dog, sings into her hairbrush & writes in her PJ’s. Her recent release, WHAT A GIRL WANTS is a contemporary romance filled with humor, mystery and sensuality.
Website: http://selenarobins.com/
Blog: http://selenarobinsmusings.wordpress.com/
Don’t forget to comment for a chance to win an autographed copy of Selena’s novel, Sabrina’s Destiny!
(Winner will be chosen October 27th.)
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Pumpkin, Potato, Zucchini Casserole
1 pound potatoes, thinly sliced
1 1/2 pounds pumpkin
2 yellow (or green) zucchini, thinly sliced
1/2 cup apple juice (unsweetened)
10 ounces vegetable broth
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
6 plum tomatoes, thickly sliced
2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup bread crumbs
Salt and pepper
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In boiling water, cook potatoes until tender. Drain.
In large saucepan, add pumpkin, apple juice, broth and rosemary, and bring to a boil, then cover the pan and simmer for 15 minutes.
Add onion, salt and pepper and continue to simmer for 10 minutes.
In an ovenproof casserole dish, arrange layers as follows:
Potatoes, zucchini slices, tomato slices, parmesan cheese, add a bit of salt and pepper to taste.
Keep layering like this until you have no more potatoes.
On top spoon the cooked pumpkin along with all the liquid.
Top with tomato slices, cheese and bread crumbs.
Bake for 34 – 40 minutes, or until topping is a golden brown and crispy.
Serve hot.
Posted in Guest Posts, Miscellaneous, Random Ramblings | 
giveaway, paranormal, recipe, romance, Selena Robins | 57 Comments
giveaway, paranormal, recipe, romance, Selena Robins | 57 CommentsGratitude, Tears and Tomorrows
Published October 18, 2011 | 
Readers are an amazing group of people. They are the stuff of legends in my mind. Yes, I’m a reader and I hope my favorite authors feel similarly about me. But for now–this moment–I’m writing to you as a debut author. A very humble, grateful and moved author.
Legacy was live for less than twenty minutes before the first comments came in. Four of them, to be exact. One in particular struck me mute. “Legacy’s in my Kindle and I’m already hooked!” What was I supposed to say? What was I supposed to do? Not being a typically emotional person, I chose that moment to cry. Go figure.
Then came words I pray are true. “Congratulations, Denise. This is only the beginning…”
Then came the email that said “…you are the reason I’m writing…”
Then came the tweet that said “Honestly, my favorite new author of the year…”
I’m a little choked up writing this even now, hours later. There are some things that not even time can steal, no matter how much of it is shoved between you and That Moment. I remember when my boyfriend got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I remember when the doors to the sanctuary opened and I saw my future husband waiting there to pledge his life to me. I remember the day I put my walker away and took my first steps without it when no one was sure I would. I remember the day I saw my sister-in-law rushed to an emergency c-section and the miracle that was born from that scare. No one can take these from me, and no one can stop me from adding today to my ‘That Moment’ list.
To those of you reading Legacy, thank you. That you’d get behind a debut author, an unknown name and voice, blows me away. That you’d reach out to tell me how much you love my characters? I don’t even know how to repay that show of support.
To those of you who intend to read Legacy, thank you too. You are the people who makes it worth the effort to do what I do.
I will keep this short and close with a humble, bowed head and one of the most sincere “thank you’s” you’ll ever receive. You have stolen my breath today. You have given my the most raw hope. You have encouraged me to keep writing. You have brought me to my knees and lifted me up. For all of this, thank you.
Virgin…er…Debut Release! LEGACY is Available!
Published October 18, 2011 | 
Today’s the day!
LEGACY is live!
It feels so strange to pull up Samhain Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more and see my book.
My book.
I’m telling you, it’s the most amazing feeling. I am a totaly mush, weepy and everything, as I look at this labor of love sitting on the virtual shelf. I can’t seem to find the right words, but I’m going to try and share with you a brief glimpse of the journey and the feelings this evokes from one very grateful author.
For those of you who have followed my blog, you know I started writing after moving out of corporate America. It was a hard transition because I went in with one title and came out with a new one: disabled. A back surgery gone wrong left me with a life I’d never have imagined for myself. I took a long time to sulk and close my eyes to my own reality. My beloved husband came home with a laptop one day and said, “Write. It used to make you happy.” I fought the idea for a while, but the seed had been planted. From that nurturing, loving gesture, Legacy was born. Part of Maddy’s sense of loss and inability to fit into her new world is my own, translated. It’s a connection I didn’t make until recently, though I see it clearly now.
From Legacy, the second and third books were born (Wrath and Vengeance, respectively). It was a wild ride, writing like I did. I came to a screeching halt in January when I had an editor request something new from me. I scrambled. I had nothing. From that request, Raising Cain was created. I spent three days brainstorming in my own way and this voice, Heaven help me this voice, said, “You know the story you need to tell, Denise. Stop stalling and get your ass in gear. I don’t have all day.” Cain. I love him so much. I sat and started toying with him on paper and, instead of getting to know him better, his perfect counterpart was born. She’s battered but not broken, street smart but a little naive, and she’s got a seriously lonely heart. Dani. Their story was pulled through my fingertips, sometimes with curses and threats, but it was born. And when it was done, I looked at it and my heart wanted to explode. I just started their second book, The Ruin of Souls, and it’s started with the introduction of a wicked character that defies stereotypes. I have high hopes for this series too.
I write, I blog, I participate in social networks and I maintain friendships formed from my writing. I have met some of the most amazing people, formed lasting friendships with people I’ve never met, and been blessed beyond measure. I’ve had a local cheerleader in my friend, Sharon, and a quiet source of strength and support in my husband. All of these people help make up the person I am. They influence me more than they know. I suppose the secret’s out now, though. 
When Legacy was accepted by my publisher, Samhain, I literally screamed and cried. Today was no different, watching my book go live and starting to hear from the readers who felt compelled to reach out and tell me they’re already loving the first book of the series. My very first reader, Carrie Ann Ryan, fell for the hero hard and her words of encouragement are some I carry with me daily. I hope to have many more readers follow in her path and love my characters as much as I do.
On an emotional close, I want to wish you nothing but joy in reading. If you choose to take a chance on Legacy and an unknown debut author, my thanks are accompanied by my gratitude. Regardless, thanks for starting out on the roller coaster by my side. It promises to be a wild ride.
Posted in My Books, Random Ramblings, Writing | Bahlin, dragons, Legacy, Maddy, Niteclif, series | 4 Comments
Bahlin, dragons, Legacy, Maddy, Niteclif, series | 4 CommentsThe Evolution of the Writer’s Craft
Published October 11, 2011 | 
From the moment we’re born, we begin to grow. First, it’s all physical–leaps and bounds that are visible and easy to see. These changes are undeniable because they’re so concrete. Hair grows from a bald head, first steps are taken and first words are spoken. The changes seem to happen at an alarming pace, day to day and even hour to hour.
Then we begin to slow down. Our changes become more confined to the cementing of our personality, we make choices that affect who we’ll be when we mature and we begin to focus on the bigger picture–college, career, marriage, family. It happens gradually as we begin to think over our decisions, weigh and calculate our steps, and use more caution before we step out on unfamiliar terra firma.
Finally, the physical seems to slow. Grey hair may creep in and laugh lines may deepen but, on the whole, our changes become more intellectual. We thrive on memories, consider our words more carefully, learn there are more ways to do things than only our way and we long for simpler times with fewer responsibilities and a bit more flexibility…physical and otherwise.
While it sounds like I’ve just described the course of the human life, what I’ve taken on is, in fact, the writer’s life cycle. Allow me to reword the paragraphs for clarity. Continue reading
Now Available
Coming 04/03/12
