Sweet Escape - Available Now! (plus some other updates)

My last post was about multitasking, and one would think I already had enough on my plate, but nope! One would be wrong. I decided to add more STUFF to my list. First and foremost, Sweet Escape, my latest short story, is available now. You *could* buy it from Amazon for $0.99, OR! if you subscribe to my monthly-ish newsletter, you can get a copy for free! Let's have a blurb, shall we?

A deadly disease has swept through Leila’s hometown, followed by the soldiers who unleashed it. When she attempts to escape from them, she’s rescued by Wes, a stranger fleeing a similar situation who shows no hesitation when killing her pursuers to save her life. Wes is a man of few words, though the little he shares and the skills he demonstrates make Leila believe joining him is her best chance at survival.

They travel together, evading their enemies and searching for fellow survivors. Their journey leads them to a deserted town, where Wes chooses an abandoned bakery to rest for the night. To Leila’s surprise, he reveals himself to be an accomplished baker, and prepares a chocolate cake for them to share out of the meager supplies he finds. The unexpected treat brings up wistful memories of the past, but as Wes begins to let his guard down around her, she realizes the future may not be as dismal as she expected…especially after he makes his attraction to her known.

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For the newsletter, I'll only pop up in your inbox when I have, well, news. To update part of the last post, I have seen the first draft of the new cover for Disintegration, and it's gonna be AWESOME! That cover reveal (along with other updates and events) will be happening sometime this summer, and newsletter subscribers will get all the good stuff first.

Next addition to my to-do list: To go along with my theme of rebooting older projects, after thinking it over, I've decided to reboot Trope-tastic Thursdays. The last post I did for it was eight years ago (WHAT.), and I've written a lot since then. I'll revisit some of the old posts, see if I used any of those tropes in my newer books and if there are any relevant newer pop culture references, and then discuss some different tropes. To differentiate from the older series and achieve better alliteration, the feature will now be Trope-tastic Tuesdays. I'm not going to commit to doing it every week, since life certainly hasn't gotten any less crazy in the past eight years (EIGHT YEARS. WHAT.), but keep an eye out for those posts to pop up again.

There's still a lot going on here, but it's always better than the alternative. Phew!

Trope-tastic Thursday: Author Avatar

Trope: Author Avatar

Description: Not limited solely to books, the Author Avatar is a version of the creator of a work inserted into the work itself. This can work in a number of different ways. Sometimes the Author Avatar is the narrator, giving opinions on what's going on in the story. Other times, he/she just makes a cameo appearance as a minor character. Every now and then, you get a character who is obviously the creator's favorite and can do no wrong, leading to the dreaded Mary Sue (which yes, can happen in canon works).

Examples: Charlie Brown/Charles Schulz, Dante in the Divine Comedy, Liz Lemon/Tina Fey in 30 Rock

Pros: It's important to have a distinctive voice when writing, so why not use your own? Aspiring writers are frequently told "write what you know", so it makes sense to write it from your own point of view, regardless of whether you're blatant about it or try to camouflage it. I only chose three examples for this post, but there are plenty of others out there. If authors from James Joyce to Stephen King (and everyone in between and on either side) have done it, it can't be a terrible technique, right?

Cons: Make your Author Avatar unrealistic and flawless, and your audience is going to rebel. They'll probably rebel loudly. Somewhere along the way, you're going to have to write a character that isn't a version of yourself. Don't let the Author Avatar become a crutch!

Would/Did I Use It?: No, I have not. When Searching the Skies, my first book, came out, some of my friends wondered if Geneva and I were one and the same. We're not. I promise. Sure, there's probably a little piece of myself in all my characters, and some are more similar to my personality than others, but I have yet to write a character who is just like me or is supposed to be my voice. I wouldn't rule it out completely, but as of right now, I have no plans to put myself in any of my writings.

Trope-tastic Thursday: Audience Surrogate

Trope: Audience Surrogate (#3)

Description: In this type of Audience Surrogate, the character is crafted so audience members can easily picture themselves in his/her place. Obviously, great writing (or film-making, or theater) is supposed to make us feel like we're right there amidst the action, but this is a bit stronger than that. Sometimes it's just a natural effect of how the character is presented in relation to the other characters and the plot, while other times it's an intentional goal of the writer. The Audience Surrogate can be tied into other tropes, such as the "Everyman" or the "Straightman" (aka "one sane person in a room full of crazies").

Examples: Bella from Twilight (confirmed by Stephenie Meyer), Arthur Dent from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Jim from The Office

Pros: As stated above, when done well, this is a great way to pull your readers into the story and make them feel like they're really there. It can be a fun way of developing the supporting cast of characters through the eyes of the Audience Surrogate. Most people read fiction as a form of escape - isn't it fun to pretend we're in the middle of all this super-exciting drama?

Cons: If you're making a main character a "blank slate" in the hopes that your audience will self-insert, you run the risk of creating a bland character they might not relate to. As with any point of view issue, there are pros and cons; one potential con here is the limitations of seeing the world through the eyes of the Audience Surrogate. Also, what happens if you're imagining yourself in a character's shoes and he/she reacts to something in a way you don't expect, or disagree with? Does that disconnect remove the label of "Audience Surrogate"? (Now my head's spinning....)

Would/Did I Use It?: I thought about doing this in Disintegration, making Callum a character who could really be anybody. Ultimately, I decided not to focus on that while writing, though I suppose it could be argued that his POV pretty much aligns with anyone who might find themselves in similar situations. This could be a big "mileage varies" trope.

Trope-tastic Thursday: The Watson

Trope: The Watson / Audience Surrogate #2*

(*I was going to make this a three-part series, but I think Point of View has been discussed to death on writing blogs. Two parts it is! Don't forget to pop in next week!)

Description: The Watson serves as the voice of the audience, asking clarifying questions so everyone understands what's going on. Note that the Watson does not merely state the exposition, nor does he/she necessarily have to be the POV character. There are no limits as to who or what the Watson can or cannot be - they can be male or female, have any sort of occupation (or lack thereof), be brilliant minds or just smart enough to ask the obvious, and so on.

Examples: Dr. Watson from the Sherlock Holmes stories (obviously), Hermione in Harry Potter, Ariadne in Inception

Pros: If the audience is lost or confused, they're probably not going to think highly of the work in question. As writers, we're already at a disadvantage since we only have our words to convey what's going on and can't rely on visual cues. While you're never going to please everyone, we should at least try to keep the audience satisfied whenever we can.

Cons: At the same time, we don't want to treat the audience like complete idiots. And you know how writers are often told to "show, don't tell"? Yeah. Watsons kind of fall into the "tell" category. Care should be taken to not delve into a whole bunch of detailed exposition that may or may not be relevant.

Would/Did I Use It?: Tirani from The Edge of the Sphere probably counts. She helps fill in some of the "rules" of the fantasy universe when the narrative first switches to Liora's point of view. She also serves as the voice of the audience when, later on, she all but asks Liora, "Are you f'ing stupid? What's wrong with you?"

Trope-tastic Thursday: Pretty Boy

And we're back!

Trope: Pretty Boy

Description: While usually handsome in his own right, the Pretty Boy isn't your rugged, muscular, lumberjack type. You know, the type that oozes testosterone with his every grunt. Pretty Boys are typically on the slender side (if not shorter than your average male), and have more dainty, delicate facial features. At the risk of stating the obvious, he's just pretty.

(Note: This doesn't mean that Pretty Boys can't be strong or powerful. It's just not as blatant.)

Examples: Legolas from Lord of the Rings, Roger in Rent, many of the male vampires in Interview with the Vampire. And Twilight. And the Anita Blake series....

Pros: Just like women, men come in all different flavors. What's attractive to one audience member can be wildly different to what's attractive to another, and why shouldn't we try to mix things up and cast a wide net? As mentioned above, this comes up a lot in vampire works, which means it can be used as a characterization shortcut. If a newly-introduced character is a Pretty Boy like the other vampires, some safe assumptions can be made.

Cons: That thing about different people being attracted to different types? Yeah, that can work against you with some folks when it comes to Pretty Boys. There is a reason that the typical "hero" is the aforementioned rugged type with the rippling muscles, and they still have a pretty big audience. Also, if a character is a Pretty Boy, he can sometimes expect to take some teasing for his softer appearance. Bullying isn't nice, yo.

Would/Did I Use It?: When writing Searching the Skies (the sequel to which has been officially confirmed, if you haven't heard the news!), I wanted there to be a big physical distinction between Ash and Marcus. While I don't think I've ever described Marcus as "pretty", he's definitely the, uh, prettier of the two, and has the shorter, slighter build. Whether or not he actually qualifies for this trope...I haven't decided yet. I'll also confess that when it comes to the Pretty Boy vs. the outwardly tough muscle-bound men...I do have a preference for the latter. *blush*

Trope-tastic Thursday: Eerie Pale-Skinned Brunette

Even though it's not part of the main trio, I decided to throw in one more hair-related trope for fun before we move on!

Trope: Eerie Pale-Skinned Brunette

Description: Not to be confused with the Brainy Brunette, the Eerie Pale-Skinned Brunette has very dark (maybe even black) hair and never ever sports a tan. Not only is there a stark contrast in her physical appearance that's jarring to the audience, she's got some characteristics that make her a little...odd. While this is a popular description for villains, the Eerie Pale-Skinned Brunette can also be on the side of good. (But if she's fighting for good, she'll do something other than overpower her foes with physical strength. Eerie Pale-Skinned Brunettes are rarely, if ever, portrayed with rippling muscles.)

Examples: River Tam from Firefly, Severus Snape from Harry Potter, a large portion of the roles played by Helena Bonham Carter

Pros: There's something surreal and ethereal about these characters, and they can be depicted as physically attractive. Since they usually have to do something to fit the "eerie" part of the trope, they're most likely not going to be unintelligent. If your work is in the paranormal genre, this is one way to signify that something's up with this character without having to go into a lot of detail right off the bat.

Cons: Waaaaaay overused when it comes to vampires. Way. (Yes, I know, there are reasons, but still....) Also, as a naturally pale person (though I don't have dark hair), I kind of resent the idea that fair skin is "unnatural". (Hey, I never said this feature was going to be unbiased!)

Would/Did I Use It?: Near the beginning of Disintegration, Ro's described as having dark brown hair and very pale skin, leading Callum to assume she hasn't been out in the sun in a while. (True.) He also remarks on more than one occasion how, despite her outspoken nature, parts of her remain a mystery to him. That said, I don't know if I really feel comfortable labeling her with this trope. Enigmatic? Yes, to a point. Eerie? I'm not sure I agree. I wouldn't write this one off for future characters, though.

Trope-tastic Thursday: Fiery Redhead

You knew it was coming!

Trope: Fiery Redhead

Description: Unlike her softer-haired counterparts, the Fiery Redhead is as bold as her tresses. She's outgoing and outspoken, with a strong personality that won't let her back down from anything. You do not want to make an enemy out of the Fiery Redhead. She's got a bigger chance of being a tomboy than the Dumb Blonde and the Brainy Brunette, but it's not a necessity for this trope.

Examples: Anne from Anne of Green Gables, Ginny Weasley from Harry Potter, Lucy Ricardo from I Love Lucy

Pros: Brash, passionate characters can be a lot of fun. If someone's known for speaking her mind, there's probably not going to be one of those mangled romance plots riddled with silly misunderstandings that could have been resolved by the characters just TALKING to each other. For better or worse, you always know where the Fiery Redhead stands, and that can be refreshing.

Cons: There can be jokes about the hero needing to "tame" the Fiery Redhead, which is a little too misogynistic for my tastes. Outspoken characters can veer towards being obnoxious if not enough care is taken, and there's a risk of the audience finding her off-putting.

Would/Did I Use It?: You know, I don't think I have used this trope. I've written red-haired characters, but I don't think they fit the stereotypes upon which this trope is based. On the flip side, Ro from Disintegration fits a lot of the characterizations...but she's a brunette. Interesting!

Trope-tastic Thursday: Brainy Brunette

Part Two of this series! (I bet you can guess what's coming up next week....)

Trope: Brainy Brunette

Description: If there's a female character who's known for her intelligence (as in, that's her most prominent trait), there's a very high chance she'll be a brunette. Hot Librarians and Hot Scientists often fall into this category. Bonus points if she's also wearing glasses. (Extra bonus points if she's still wearing glasses in a futuristic universe when one would think such bulky corrective frames would be obsolete.)

Examples: Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Hermione from the Harry Potter series, Jo from Little Women, nearly every character Tina Fey has ever played (if not Tina Fey herself)

Pros: Regular readers of this feature should know by now that I do enjoy smart women, regardless of their occupation. The more portrayals of intelligent, capable female characters in all forms of fiction, the better! I especially like said portrayals when the characters have multiple dimensions and are, say, passionate love interests or brave action heroes.

Cons: Sometimes (not always, but sometimes), there's a downside to being defined as the "brainy" character. Maybe she's socially awkward, and/or prefers her books to people. Maybe the romantic hero overlooks her for a less intelligent, but sweeter, more charming woman. (Though he usually sees the error of his ways.) Like it or not, there still is a certain stigma associated with being "too" smart, and that can come up with this trope.

Would/Did I Use It?: I suppose I can stick Geneva from Searching the Skies in here. As I've said many times, I like writing smart women, but I see no reason to limit their choices of hair color!

Trope-tastic Thursday: Dumb Blonde

This week's TTT is the first of a three-part series about one of the most basic descriptors writers use (and its implications).

Trope: Dumb Blonde

Description: Need a ditzy character? Making her a blonde is one way to solidify that characterization, thanks to some old stereotypes. "Dumb" can cover a lot here - she can be overly naive, a hopeless romantic, oblivious to all that's going on around her, or she really just might be unintelligent. This can lead to a number of roles in a romance setting - Did her lack of smarts land her in trouble, and now she's a damsel in distress who needs rescuing? Does her blind optimism make her appealing? (Note: Male Dumb Blonds pop up every now and then.)

Examples: Goldilocks, Buttercup from The Princess Bride, a large chunk of the movie roles played by Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield, and Owen Wilson

Pros: This can be a quick 'n' dirty way to help establish a character, thanks to the aforementioned stereotype. There's nothing inherently bad about being "dumb", especially when dealing with sweeter, more innocent Dumb Blondes. Not everyone in the world is a rocket scientist or a brain surgeon, right?

Cons: There are plenty of intelligent blondes in the world to counteract this stereotype. As blonde hair is often considered to be attractive or even desirable, this trope seems to suggest that one can't be pretty AND smart. Though it's noted above that men are not exempt from this trope, it does tend to swing female, and I can't help but detect tinges of sexism.

Would/Did I Use It?: In all fairness, the golden-haired Liora in The Edge of the Sphere does start off as a bit innocent and trusting. (She wises up as the plot progresses, though.) That said, the cons outweigh the pros for me regarding this trope. I don't think I'll set out to intentionally use this one any time soon.

Trope-tastic Thursday: I Have Your Wife

Trope: I Have Your Wife

Description: In this plot trope, the villain does something especially dastardly - he/she kidnaps someone very close to the hero in an effort to manipulate him to follow their orders. As the trope name indicates, wives are usually the victims here, but everyone from children to very close friends can get snatched and held hostage. The hero is then faced with multiple problems: not only does he have to save his wife(/child/best buddy/dog), but he must deal with the moral dilemma of doing questionable things in order to save her.

Examples: Air Force One, the original Saw, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Pros: Drama abounds with this trope, and there's guaranteed to be at least one badass action sequence. After all, the hero must eventually exact revenge on the bastard who Has His Wife, right? This trope also demonstrates the power of love - the hero will do anything to get his beloved back.

Cons: This can skate into "Damsel in Distress" territory, which has its own list of pros and cons. The kidnapped loved one is at risk of being nothing more than a poorly-developed plot device, rather than a three-dimensional character. Same with the villain, actually. If not enough attention is paid to the details, then you're left with a mustache-twirling caricature who does little else than force the hero into action. While I guess this could be said for most plot tropes, it does seem like I Have Your Wife requires a lot of work to be populated with something other than stock characters and cliches.

Would/Did I Use It?: I've never used this one myself, but I am not opposed to it. I could even flip it around and not limit it to husbands saving wives, of course. I do also like the added aspect of giving the antagonist leverage to dictate the protagonist's actions. I don't mind sharing my puppetmaster duties every now and then!

Trope-tastic Thursday: The Lost Lenore

(Don't forget to leave a comment on the Spring is in the Air Blog Hop for some prizes and to check out the rest of my VBT schedule! Also, this is my 100th post! Woo hoo!)

Trope: The Lost Lenore

Description: The Lost Lenore is a dead love interest of one of the main characters. Not only is she dead, her absence has a profound effect on the character for the rest of the work, to the point where it can even influence the plot. Lost Lenores can either be dead at the beginning of the story, or die early on; either way, it's the reaction to her death that determines whether or not she qualifies for this trope. (While they're frequently female, every now and then a male Lost Lenore pops up.)

Examples: Lenore from The Raven (duh), Mal from Inception, Laura Palmer from Twin Peaks

Pros: Love is powerful and can even transcend death. A Lost Lenore can also kick off all sorts of plots for the lover she left behind, from some soul-searching and self-discovery to kick-ass vengeance (depending on the circumstances). In romance, the audience is touched if the hero is able to work through his grief and learn to love again.

Cons: There's a fine line to straddle here, for if the hero doesn't grieve long enough for the audience's liking, it can feel like he's cheating on the Lost Lenore if he finds himself with another woman too quickly. Tone is important to keep in mind here, as anything overly cheery will feel incongruous right after her death. Also, considering they're dead (or die quickly), Lost Lenores can be difficult to develop and make into three-dimensional characters.

Would/Did I Use It?: I'd say Meyta from Disintegration definitely qualifies. (That's not a spoiler, it's in the blurb of the book.) She's dead by the second chapter, but don't think for a moment that she'll be easily forgotten. (And that's all I'll say about that, as I don't want to reveal true spoilers!) I did keep the concerns on the "cons" list in mind, and I hope I struck that proper balance between grieving and moving on to the actual love interest of the book.

Trope-tastic Thursday (Friday): Hot Scientist

Sorry for the late Trope-tastic Thursday! If you're looking to participate in the Spring is in the Air Blog Hop, make sure you leave a comment on this post.

Trope: Hot Scientist

Description: Who says women can't be smart AND sexy? The Hot Scientist is always dressed to impress (with or without white lab coat) with her hair perfectly styled and make-up expertly applied. If the main character hasn't previously met Dr. Hottie, he'll be surprised that she's 1) a woman and 2) so very attractive. Even though she could be strutting her stuff down a runway, she is very capable at her job and will never steer our hero in the wrong direction with whatever information she provides.

Examples: Dr. Brennan from Bones, Dr. Christmas Jones from The World is Not Enough, a number of characters from Doctor Who

Pros: I'll never argue against smart, capable women. This trope sort of counteracts the "geeky/nerdy scientist" or even the "dowdy librarian" stereotype in that a woman can be good at her job while still caring about her physical appearance. Even if she's not actively fighting alongside the hero, whatever assistance she supplies is invaluable in bringing about a victorious ending.

Cons: Realism doesn't get a lot of emphasis here. You're not going to find a lot of women working in laboratories wearing stiletto heels and letting their long hair float in the breeze in the real world. (In fact, many such places explicitly ban such things.) I'm also not crazy about the default assumption being that the scientist is either going to be male or unattractive. Why are smart sexy women still considered to be so shocking or out of the ordinary?

Would/Did I Use It?: I don't think I've used this one; not in any major works, anyway. As the pros and cons lists indicate, I have mixed feelings about this trope. On the one hand, I'm all for beautiful women with a brain inside their pretty little heads, and I don't consider it unrealistic that such women can achieve high levels of education and succeed in science-based careers. On the other hand, there are still some whiffs of misogyny lingering around this trope, and I'm not completely comfortable with that. It could be argued that this trope is not so much about the character herself, but the reaction to her. If that's the case, then I think I'll pass.

Trope-tastic Thursday: Childhood Friend Romance

I have a feature and giveaway going on over at Sensuous Promotions today - be sure to go check it out!

Trope: Childhood Friend Romance

Description: Our lovestruck protagonists have known each other for nearly their entire lives. Over the years, the innocent games of childhood have evolved into mature feelings of passion and love. This trope has a number of variations - it can end with Happily Ever After, it can lead up to Happily Ever After until tragedy strikes, or it can be portrayed as one-sided unrequited love where the HEA is never achieved.

Examples: Heathcliff and Catherine from Wuthering Heights, Christine and Raoul from Phantom of the Opera, Forrest and Jenny from Forrest Gump, Cory and Topanga from my secret favorite show Boy Meets World

Pros: There's something sweet about this trope (assuming it ends well). While there's something to be said for torrid love affairs, when it comes to choosing a life partner, don't we want to be with someone we can consider a best friend? Even when there's no happy ending with this trope, the drama feels real, not contrived, and pulls us into the story. (I'm sure we all have that person from childhood about whom we occasionally wonder "what might have been?")

Cons: The transition from friends to lovers can be difficult to make, both in real life and in fiction. Also, characterization has to be spot-on accurate here: If you're starting with your characters as adults, you need to find a way to establish their friendship without a big infodump. If you're starting all the way from childhood...well, that's a long road and it better be interesting and well-paced. Also, if this trope takes a turn into unrequited love territory, there's a good chance of a love triangle developing, and we all know how many pros and cons there are to those.

Would/Did I Use It?: It's stated in Searching the Skies that Geneva and Marcus were childhood friends, but nothing romantic ever happened until after almost ten years of separation. As I said, there's a sweet, wholesome quality to this trope...but there aren't any laws prohibiting sweet and wholesome from going to naughty and scintillating! On my long list of potential story ideas, this trope comes up at least one more time, so I'm going to give it the thumbs up.

Trope-tastic Thursday: Amnesiac Lover

Trope: Amnesiac Lover

Description: In this trope, our love interests have already found each other and have started on the path to "happily ever after". But then...tragedy strikes! One partner suffers some injury or other experience that results in the loss of memory and can't remember his/her true love. (In some cases, both partners have amnesia.) Throughout the story, they set out to rediscover their love. The Amnesiac Lover learns why his/her partner was so awesome to begin with and they resume skipping down that HEA road.

Examples: Sarah from Chuck (yes, again!), Paige from The Vow, Joel and Clementine from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Pros: If you're a fan of the idea that "love conquers all", this is a pretty good trope. Nothing will ever keep our heroes apart, as even amnesia is powerless in the face of true love. This trope also offers up a good change of pace in the romance genre - in a way, we already know the end result for the couple (as they've already wound up together), but we're able to relive the journey with a different sort of tension.

Cons: Most stories that use this trope do not portray amnesia with any sense of medical accuracy. (Most, not all.) If this comes up in a series of books, TV shows, or films, the audience can feel cheated by having the couple they've been rooting for all along be torn apart by yet another dramatic twist. Even if the Amnesiac Lover recovers and the couple falls in love all over again, we're left wondering - are they really going to be the same?

Would/Did I Use It?: While I have included an amnesiac character in a book, she (Liora from EotS) doesn't fall under this category, as she fell in love after the amnesia kicked in. However, I'm not opposed to this trope. Sometimes it's interesting to see a romance from the other end, after the couple has already gotten together. In real-life situations, even without any sort of trauma, I think it's important every now and then to remember the things that attracted you to your partner in the first place. Stories like these can be a needed reminder not to take them for granted.

Trope-tastic Thursday: Violently Protective Girlfriend

(Finished the first Mass Effect! Now I'm trying to get back into good writing habits and complete some projects before ordering ME2.)

Trope: Violently Protective Girlfriend

Description: Do not mess with the boyfriend of the Violently Protective Girlfriend. It will not end well for you. Just as mothers instinctively protect their children, the Violently Protective Girlfriend does not want any harm to come to her chosen partner under her watch (and if something does happen, she'll feel really really bad about it). She's usually adept when it comes to self-defense or physical fighting, whether she has powerful weapons of doom at her disposal or nothing but her bare fists.

Examples: Sarah from [one of my favorite shows] Chuck, Katniss from The Hunger Games, Zoe from Firefly

Pros: It should be no secret by now that I loves me some badass women. I think women can (and should!) be heroes just as easily and often as men. Having the knight in shining armor protect his damsel in distress is a much more common plot; there's nothing wrong with turning things upside down every now and then. (Note that this trope differs from the Badass Damsel.)

Cons: If a man constantly needs his woman to protect him, it can be seen as emasculating. In romance, that might make the male lead less conventionally sexy. There's a reason the aforementioned "man saves woman" plot has been so popular for so long. Overly tough, aggressive women can also be difficult to relate to in the context of traditional romances.

Would/Did I Use It?: As I said up there, it's obvious by now I like strong female characters. Ro from Disintegration could fall into this category, and a case could even be made for Liora from The Edge of the Sphere. I'm not going to give away any spoilers for the in-progress Searching the Skies sequel, but...let's just say this trope might come up eventually....

Trope-tastic Thursday: (Green-Skinned) Space Babe

I'm about a third of the way through the first Mass Effect and I'm enjoying it so far. Might as well make this week's Trope-tastic Thursday somewhat relevant!

Trope: (Green-Skinned) Space Babe

Description: The attractive alien with mostly human features so having sex with her (or sometimes him) isn't too squicky. While the fictional aliens of yore were mostly green, these days the space babes can come in every color of the rainbow. Female space babes are more prevalent than the males, and they will frequently be large-chested and/or scantily clad.

Examples: Liara (and the Asari in general) from Mass Effect, Jabba the Hutt's slave girls in Return of the Jedi, the trio of male aliens in Earth Girls are Easy

Pros: After a certain point, I guess there's only so many sexual adventures you can have with humans. Relationships with fictional species can also add a slew of other compelling issues - an element of danger/the unknown, social repercussions, concerns about reproducing, etc. The flip side of that is the possibility for creating qualities and abilities that can, um, enhance the experience for the human.

Cons: Everyone's got their preferences when it comes to romance, and for many people, interspecies sex is a no-no. If you're not a fan of what can seem like unnecessary drama, pretend I copied and pasted that list of "compelling issues" in this category.  Also, while they're supposed to be similar to humans, I just can't help but think that that green skin would feel a little...reptilian?

Would/Did I Use It?: I've thought about it, actually. In addition to the StS sequel, I've also been working here and there on another project, and I was very tempted to make one of the love interests an alien. I ultimately decided, however, to keep them both human. While I can understand why it's appealing for some people, the idea of sex with aliens, no matter how attractive they may be, just doesn't do anything for me.

Trope-tastic Thursday: Star-Crossed Lovers

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you're snuggling up with something (or someone) steamy and dreamy!

Trope: Star-Crossed Lovers

Description: Our heroes are madly, passionately, unbelievably in love...but fate is keeping them apart. There are any number of contributing factors to why they just can't be together and live happily ever after. Some have a basis in reality, like a long-distance relationship or a meddling parent. Others involve concepts such as destiny and luck (and mileage varies as to whether you believe in that sort of stuff).

Examples: Romeo and Juliet, Guinevere and Lancelot, Catherine and Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights

Pros: Oh, the drama! We root so hard for the couple to be together and cheer on their love! When they're forced apart, we cry with them. Shaking our collective fist at the universe for being so cruel can be cathartic, after all.

Cons: If they're truly star-crossed lovers, there's not going to be a happy ending. Done well, the audience enjoys being taken along for the emotional ride. Otherwise, there's a high possibility for disappointment.

Would/Did I Use It?: Again, as this trope is technically defined by the story's ending...well, I'm not going to give away spoilers to my writings. That would just be wrong. (Hey, it's Valentine's Day, I'm allowed to be coy and have a little fun of my own, right?)

Trope-tastic Thursdays: Hot Chick in a Badass Suit

Trope: Hot Chick in a Badass Suit

Description: The Hot Chick in a Badass Suit means business - don't mess with her, or you will probably regret it. She's successful and she's confident in both her profession and the way she carries herself. While short skirts are a possibility, she can look just as good in a long-sleeved pantsuit that covers her chest, because her tailor is just that talented.

Examples: Agent Scully from The X-Files, most of the female lawyers on Law & Order, with special shoutouts going to Abbie Carmichael and Alex Cabot, because damn, those were some enviable suits

Pros: Want to instantly make the audience think "strong female character"? Put her in a Badass Suit. If she's wearing a Badass Suit, we can assume she must be intelligent and have at least some level of personal skills, as she's advanced in her career enough that the suit is deemed necessary to appear professional. Also, if she cares about her appearance and the way she's perceived in said career, we know she's passionate about something.

Cons: There are some negative connotations that can accompany this trope. For example, if the HCiaBAS holds a position of some importance, some will wonder if she did anything morally questionable to get to that place. She might also get a reputation for being a hardass, and/or be accused of not caring about anything except her job.

Would/Did I Use It?: Specifically, no. (Though I have put some of my "hot chicks" in a uniform.) That said, I like the idea of this trope, and I am not opposed to the idea of using it in the future. I do have a strong love for Law & Order, after all!

Trope-tastic Thursdays: Significant Green Eyed Redhead

(Don't forget to enter the Disintegration release giveaway if you haven't already!)

Trope: Significant Green Eyed Red Head

Description: What it says. ;) Okay, okay, I know this is a pretty minor trope, but it's timely, so bear with me. As red and green are opposite each other on the color wheel, combinations of them are a quick way of calling attention to an important character. There tend to be more women then men fitting this trope, and the combination of red hair and green eyes is frequently thought to be alluring.

Examples: Jessica Rabbit, Poison Ivy, Mary Jane from Spiderman

Pros: As noted above, the bright, complimentary colors are ways to draw attention to a character. Redheads themselves have a slew of associated tropes, and just the simple act of giving a character red hair can have certain connotations and give the audience an idea of what to expect.

Cons: Natural redheads with naturally green eyes don't pop up all that often in nature, despite what creators of art might have you think. Also, as stated in the "pros" list, there are a number of closely-related tropes, and some of them have been done to death. (How many "feisty" redheads are there in books/movies/TV shows/comics/etc.?)

Would/Did I Use It?: Guilty as charged, though I admit I stumbled into this one blindly. Tanith, one of the antagonists in Disintegration (and star of her own mini-prequel), has green eyes and flaming red hair. I honestly didn't know about this trope before I described her in this way; however, I will confess to loosely basing her physical appearance off of Aveline from Dragon Age 2. (Whether or not you consider Aveline significant is another story...I think there are far more significant characters in the game, but mileage varies!)

Trope-tastic Thursdays: The Ingenue

Trope: The Ingenue

Description: The Ingenue is sweet, innocent, and naive to a fault. She's frequently a virgin, and any sort of sexual talk or flirting will go right over her pretty little head. Due to her traits, she's a prime target to become a Damsel in Distress. After all, the hero(es) must save her before anything can damage that delicate flower!

Examples: A fair number of the older Disney princesses, Sandy for a large portion of Grease, Rose from The Golden Girls (oldest ingenue on record?)

Pros: As stated above, they unfortunately make good victims, so there's a way to kickstart a plot. There will always be an audience for "knight in shining armor saves the lovely lass from unspeakable horrors" stories. The ingenue can offer a stark contrast to the hero and highlight his strength and cleverness. In romance, a hero with a tortured past can be "healed" by the ingenue, and who doesn't love a good redemption story?

Or, to put it simply: there are a lot of crappy things in this world. Sometimes it can be heartening to see someone retain their optimism and cheerful nature, despite whatever terrible things may be happening around her.

Cons: If the ingenue is portrayed as too naive, that can translate into stupidity. And if whatever's going around her is really crappy, she can either come across as unbelievable, or you just want to throttle her for not seeming to understand the severity of the situation.

While the ingenue is not necessarily asexual, her "purity" can be quite the hurdle in romantic plots. Some writers like working with that sort of thing. Others don't. (And then that leads to the question - is she still considered an ingenue after the hero deflowers her? Or does her newfound intimate knowledge of intimate matters immediately strip her of that title?)

Would/Did I Use It?: I could be forgetting a minor character somewhere along the way, but no, I don't think I've written any ingenues. Generally, I like my female characters to be strong, smart, successful women. That doesn't mean they're not flawed, but those flaws don't come from a lack of awareness or ignorance of darker matters. Plus, I'm not really a fan of writing sex scenes with virgins.