Lourie Nolan's Blog - Posts Tagged "the-deep-end"
Writing in "The Deep End"
Writing is something I've always enjoyed. Even when I was a child, I loved stringing words together and making them rhyme or play together. As a teen, I attempted to write short stories but if one of my brothers found them and read them before they were complete... I'd destroy them. Because of that, all of them were destroyed before completion.
The first story I ever completed was a very short version of the story of Dakota and Nicole. I wrote it as a blog post on a different blog I used to have. The character names, location, etc. were different and the title was "Seventeen".
In April of 2014 I began writing a book called "Dakota Bound" with the subtitle "The Deep End." It was the retelling of "Seventeen" with lots of changes to characters, situations, and circumstances but the basic premise was the same; Young, naïve, innocent girl from a small town in Missouri moves to a big city to live with her favorite aunt and uncle... and meets what will eventually become her first love.
Initially it was to be one novel, but eventually was split into three and given the title "The Deep End" with the subtitles "Dakota Bound, "Bound Together", and "Unbound".
While the characters in the series were originally modeled after people in my own life; through the telling of the story, they managed to develop their own unique personalities and their lives went in a direction I had not originally intended... so the series continued.
By the time the 4th novella, "Reclaimed", was almost complete... there was no doubt in my mind that this collection, "The Deep End" would continue. Dave and Shelly became larger than life characters and needed to tell their story, as did Justin and Kirsten (Whose first novella, "Dominating", is now available), Seth and Brianna, and Mike and Kathy.
Dakota and Nicole's story ended up being 5 novellas. Dave and Shelly's story is 4 novellas (Crashing In To You, Abandoned By You, Giving All To You, and Becoming Yours), and chances are Kirsten and Justin's story will be four novellas, unless they decide to tell more than I already know...
As I write, I notice that the characters become more and more complex, and the issues they face become deeper and more challenging and I become more comfortable with the notion of putting my characters and their issues 'out there' for the world to see. Because of this, more and more of myself, my life, and the lives of others I know finds it's way into the pages of the stories... and THE END... gets DEEPER.
When I say I hope you enjoy reading these stories as much as I enjoy writing them... I mean it. I really do enjoy writing this collection and I know, even if I'd never sold a copy... I'd still be sitting at my computer, playing in "The Deep End.
The first story I ever completed was a very short version of the story of Dakota and Nicole. I wrote it as a blog post on a different blog I used to have. The character names, location, etc. were different and the title was "Seventeen".
In April of 2014 I began writing a book called "Dakota Bound" with the subtitle "The Deep End." It was the retelling of "Seventeen" with lots of changes to characters, situations, and circumstances but the basic premise was the same; Young, naïve, innocent girl from a small town in Missouri moves to a big city to live with her favorite aunt and uncle... and meets what will eventually become her first love.
Initially it was to be one novel, but eventually was split into three and given the title "The Deep End" with the subtitles "Dakota Bound, "Bound Together", and "Unbound".
While the characters in the series were originally modeled after people in my own life; through the telling of the story, they managed to develop their own unique personalities and their lives went in a direction I had not originally intended... so the series continued.
By the time the 4th novella, "Reclaimed", was almost complete... there was no doubt in my mind that this collection, "The Deep End" would continue. Dave and Shelly became larger than life characters and needed to tell their story, as did Justin and Kirsten (Whose first novella, "Dominating", is now available), Seth and Brianna, and Mike and Kathy.
Dakota and Nicole's story ended up being 5 novellas. Dave and Shelly's story is 4 novellas (Crashing In To You, Abandoned By You, Giving All To You, and Becoming Yours), and chances are Kirsten and Justin's story will be four novellas, unless they decide to tell more than I already know...
As I write, I notice that the characters become more and more complex, and the issues they face become deeper and more challenging and I become more comfortable with the notion of putting my characters and their issues 'out there' for the world to see. Because of this, more and more of myself, my life, and the lives of others I know finds it's way into the pages of the stories... and THE END... gets DEEPER.
When I say I hope you enjoy reading these stories as much as I enjoy writing them... I mean it. I really do enjoy writing this collection and I know, even if I'd never sold a copy... I'd still be sitting at my computer, playing in "The Deep End.
Can't Sleep...
I spent most of the day yesterday bleeding Justin and Kirsten into book 11. I saved my progress on "Submitting", closed my laptop, and went to be at 10:00pm last night. By 4:30am I was sitting at my computer again while Justin and Kirsten take turns flowing out of my head and into book 11.
These two characters have so much to teach one another about life and love... It's hard to step away from them. Writing about them is so much fun. They have quickly become my favorite couple so far. Their personalities clash and mesh at the same time.
At one point yesterday I spent about 30 minutes excitedly explaining to my hubby, how the dynamics of these two play out through all of the stories so far, bringing them to where they are now... and how we get to see sides of them no one knew existed in the first two series. (even me!) He's all "Yes Dear" as he glances away from his video game for a few seconds to placate me.
Men just don't get it. :p
These two characters have so much to teach one another about life and love... It's hard to step away from them. Writing about them is so much fun. They have quickly become my favorite couple so far. Their personalities clash and mesh at the same time.
At one point yesterday I spent about 30 minutes excitedly explaining to my hubby, how the dynamics of these two play out through all of the stories so far, bringing them to where they are now... and how we get to see sides of them no one knew existed in the first two series. (even me!) He's all "Yes Dear" as he glances away from his video game for a few seconds to placate me.
Men just don't get it. :p
Insanity...
I have begun to wonder if writing requires a certain level of insanity. I'm not sure if it's normal for a person to create fictional characters in the mind... give them childhoods and back stories so that they have 'issues' to overcome, introduce them to other characters you have created... make them fall in love and have wild monkey sex... create hardships and turmoil for them overcome together... and all while developing a real fondness for them.
Then again... wasn't that the whole purpose behind playing with barbie dolls and army men as kids?
Maybe writers are just people who never grow out of that phase...
Whatever the case, I am finding myself feeling a level of sympathy for authors who kill off long-term characters. It never occurred to me before I started writing The Deep End collection... but I can't imagine killing off those people.
I may decide to do that before the entire collection is complete... but I can tell you it will not be an easy story to write.
Then again... wasn't that the whole purpose behind playing with barbie dolls and army men as kids?
Maybe writers are just people who never grow out of that phase...
Whatever the case, I am finding myself feeling a level of sympathy for authors who kill off long-term characters. It never occurred to me before I started writing The Deep End collection... but I can't imagine killing off those people.
I may decide to do that before the entire collection is complete... but I can tell you it will not be an easy story to write.
Submitting
Book 11 of The Deep End series is now in the editing phase. I love writing these books and the characters have become part of my world. Sometimes that's good... and other times that's bad.
In order to make a story interesting, beloved characters must experience hardship and pain at some point and work their way through adversity. I'm finding it more and more difficult to place my characters into troublesome situations and create strife and heartbreak for them. It sounds silly, I know... but it's true.
In book 11 - "Submitting", I have two characters who are very different people... with very different back stories. What they have in common... is they are both control freaks... and they are in love.
As you can imagine... this makes for a lot of conflict... and heartache as they struggle over who will submit symbolically... and who will submit in reality.
In the end... I think the only one who is truly going to have to submit to these two... is ME!
In order to make a story interesting, beloved characters must experience hardship and pain at some point and work their way through adversity. I'm finding it more and more difficult to place my characters into troublesome situations and create strife and heartbreak for them. It sounds silly, I know... but it's true.
In book 11 - "Submitting", I have two characters who are very different people... with very different back stories. What they have in common... is they are both control freaks... and they are in love.
As you can imagine... this makes for a lot of conflict... and heartache as they struggle over who will submit symbolically... and who will submit in reality.
In the end... I think the only one who is truly going to have to submit to these two... is ME!
Breaking Erotic
A friend of mine recently asked me why I write erotica. I believe the exact phrase that followed is... "You'll never get taken seriously as a writer that way. You are good. Good actors and directors don't make porn. Good writers shouldn't write erotica."
Why do I write erotica?
Because good writers SHOULD and DO write erotica. Because good writers will force themselves out of their comfort zone and into areas of literature that are 'Taboo'. Because GOOD writers can tell a GOOD, intelligently created and well thought out story... and have it push the limits of sensuality... and have the sexual component ADD to the overall emotional effect of the story rather than distract from it.
Most of all I write erotica because stories are about people... and people are sexual creatures.
Writers don't 'elude' to romance. We don't 'elude' to violence. We don't 'elude' to heartache, betrayal, loyalty, etc. We don't elude to the fact that we are eating, sleeping, talking, etc... The only activities we 'elude' to are using the bathroom. Why should something as beautiful as sex be regarded with the same level of attention that writers give to using the bathroom?
I may not always write erotica... but it wont be because the genre is off putting to me. It will be because I want a new venture outside of my comfort zone.
Why do I write erotica?
Because good writers SHOULD and DO write erotica. Because good writers will force themselves out of their comfort zone and into areas of literature that are 'Taboo'. Because GOOD writers can tell a GOOD, intelligently created and well thought out story... and have it push the limits of sensuality... and have the sexual component ADD to the overall emotional effect of the story rather than distract from it.
Most of all I write erotica because stories are about people... and people are sexual creatures.
Writers don't 'elude' to romance. We don't 'elude' to violence. We don't 'elude' to heartache, betrayal, loyalty, etc. We don't elude to the fact that we are eating, sleeping, talking, etc... The only activities we 'elude' to are using the bathroom. Why should something as beautiful as sex be regarded with the same level of attention that writers give to using the bathroom?
I may not always write erotica... but it wont be because the genre is off putting to me. It will be because I want a new venture outside of my comfort zone.
Writers gonna write....
I sat down at my laptop this morning and began banging away on book 12 in The Deep End series. The third installment in the story of Justin and Kirsten.
I took a week off after the last book was published... or I tried. I had my trusty cheap spiral notebook with me the whole time so I was always scribbling ideas into it.
Every time I thought I was going to leave it home for the day I would end up grabbing it on my way out the door. I guess there are some things from which you just cant take time off.
For me... Taking time off of writing is like taking time off of thinking or reading or seeing. We can say we aren't going to read for a week... but we read billboards, TV adds, Internet forums, whatever is in front of us. We don't really take time off of reading. We just take time off of reading anything we really WANT to read. What's the purpose in that?
Writing is the same way. I'm always writing something... so why even try to take time off of writing what I enjoy?
So this morning I sat in front of my laptop banging away on book 12, 'Obsessing'... with my spiral notebook and all my notes beside me. I'm almost finished with the first chapter and nothing I have written so far is from the notebook.
I'll get to all that stuff eventually... but for now... just emptying my imagination onto the pages of the book is work enough.
I took a week off after the last book was published... or I tried. I had my trusty cheap spiral notebook with me the whole time so I was always scribbling ideas into it.
Every time I thought I was going to leave it home for the day I would end up grabbing it on my way out the door. I guess there are some things from which you just cant take time off.
For me... Taking time off of writing is like taking time off of thinking or reading or seeing. We can say we aren't going to read for a week... but we read billboards, TV adds, Internet forums, whatever is in front of us. We don't really take time off of reading. We just take time off of reading anything we really WANT to read. What's the purpose in that?
Writing is the same way. I'm always writing something... so why even try to take time off of writing what I enjoy?
So this morning I sat in front of my laptop banging away on book 12, 'Obsessing'... with my spiral notebook and all my notes beside me. I'm almost finished with the first chapter and nothing I have written so far is from the notebook.
I'll get to all that stuff eventually... but for now... just emptying my imagination onto the pages of the book is work enough.
Jackassery
I'm currently working on book 13 in my "The Deep End" series; "Possessing". It will be the final installment in the story of Justin Troy and Kirsten Hayes. I've really had fun writing about these two.. especially Kirsten. She's a very complex character with nuances that draw me in to her emotionally. I don't know if it's the same for the reader. I certainly hope it is.
The next book in The Deep End series will be "Jackass". It will be told from Jake's point of view. I expect that one to be my greatest challenge so far.
For Dave's sport-bike hobby, I was able to access the psyche of a friend who is a sport bike enthusiast and raced AMA in the past. For Justin and Kirsten's fishing trip... my brother Donnie was a wealth of information.
Jake will be harder... as I have no real-world frame of reference for a sociopathic, misogynistic, serial-rapist. It will be every bit based on research and my own training and dealings with offenders in my work. It will be interesting to see how I take all of that and form it into a believable, if not somewhat sympathetic, character and actually have the reader give a shit what happens to him.
I can tell you this much... it will not be sexually graphic... at least not the rape scenarios, so if that's the reason someone wants to read it... they will be disappointed. It will have some consensual sex as well and that will be written as any other sexual encounter, however, I can't stomach the notion of profiting from graphic depictions of rape. Too many women, men, and children have suffered it. It's not for mass entertainment purposes.
Oh well... back to "Possessing". Games are afoot!
The next book in The Deep End series will be "Jackass". It will be told from Jake's point of view. I expect that one to be my greatest challenge so far.
For Dave's sport-bike hobby, I was able to access the psyche of a friend who is a sport bike enthusiast and raced AMA in the past. For Justin and Kirsten's fishing trip... my brother Donnie was a wealth of information.
Jake will be harder... as I have no real-world frame of reference for a sociopathic, misogynistic, serial-rapist. It will be every bit based on research and my own training and dealings with offenders in my work. It will be interesting to see how I take all of that and form it into a believable, if not somewhat sympathetic, character and actually have the reader give a shit what happens to him.
I can tell you this much... it will not be sexually graphic... at least not the rape scenarios, so if that's the reason someone wants to read it... they will be disappointed. It will have some consensual sex as well and that will be written as any other sexual encounter, however, I can't stomach the notion of profiting from graphic depictions of rape. Too many women, men, and children have suffered it. It's not for mass entertainment purposes.
Oh well... back to "Possessing". Games are afoot!
The Jackass Factor...
As I wrap up Justin and Kirsten's story; as usual, I'm thinking ahead to the next book. "Jackass"... Jake's story.
If all you know of Jake is what you've read in the story of Dakota and Nicole... or even Dave and Shelly... you don't really know him. You know his bad side. You know the worst things he's ever done in his life. Just like all people, however, he is not completely defined by the worst things he's ever done.
Jake is a whole person and you get to know a more humane side of him in Justin and Kirsten's story. Justin is, after all, his twin brother. They live together. They've grown up together. Like many twins, they share things with one another that they never share with anyone else. They know one another better than anyone else knows them.
Justin doesn't know Jake completely... but do we ever really know anyone completely? Even ourselves?
Keeping in mind that Jake is the villain in these stories, I still have to make him realistic. The worst of villains have good people who love them. They must be, on some level, worth loving. They have motivators and priorities and pasts and hopes and desires just like everyone else.
"Jackass" will be a unique point of view of a broken man who, whether most people know it or not... laughs, cries, falls in love, hates, feels fierce loyalty and at the same time, an inescapable burning rage that drives him to do things he doesn't understand, but manages to justify to himself. It will be a story in which the hero and the villain are one in the same, in an internal and eternal death match.
It won't be short and quick. It will take some time to write and when I release it, it will be the complete story... beginning to end, in one book. It will be as long as it needs to be to do the story justice.
I am at once excited to get started, and completely frightened and intimidated by the task of creating this character as a full, rounded multifaceted man, rather than as the dark shadow in the background, as he has been up until now.
Wish me luck!!!
If all you know of Jake is what you've read in the story of Dakota and Nicole... or even Dave and Shelly... you don't really know him. You know his bad side. You know the worst things he's ever done in his life. Just like all people, however, he is not completely defined by the worst things he's ever done.
Jake is a whole person and you get to know a more humane side of him in Justin and Kirsten's story. Justin is, after all, his twin brother. They live together. They've grown up together. Like many twins, they share things with one another that they never share with anyone else. They know one another better than anyone else knows them.
Justin doesn't know Jake completely... but do we ever really know anyone completely? Even ourselves?
Keeping in mind that Jake is the villain in these stories, I still have to make him realistic. The worst of villains have good people who love them. They must be, on some level, worth loving. They have motivators and priorities and pasts and hopes and desires just like everyone else.
"Jackass" will be a unique point of view of a broken man who, whether most people know it or not... laughs, cries, falls in love, hates, feels fierce loyalty and at the same time, an inescapable burning rage that drives him to do things he doesn't understand, but manages to justify to himself. It will be a story in which the hero and the villain are one in the same, in an internal and eternal death match.
It won't be short and quick. It will take some time to write and when I release it, it will be the complete story... beginning to end, in one book. It will be as long as it needs to be to do the story justice.
I am at once excited to get started, and completely frightened and intimidated by the task of creating this character as a full, rounded multifaceted man, rather than as the dark shadow in the background, as he has been up until now.
Wish me luck!!!
The Jackass Cometh
Jackass is finally finished and published.
This was the most difficult book I have ever written. Jake wasn't easy to get to know. He fought me every step of the way.
He wouldn't allow me to take the easy route and just write prison therapy sessions. For that, he would have needed to be honest with his psychiatrist... and that wasn't something in which he was interested.
He wouldn't even let me create a sympathetic 'friend' character for him to confide in. He doesn't trust.
In the end... I had to just have an honest, one on one conversation with him. Yeah... just Jackass Jake... and me.
I do think he and I were able to tell his life story in a way that honored his wishes and will make for an interesting read. It got far more graphic than I originally intended, but he insisted that his story be told his way... so there you have it.
I do hope you... enjoy... the book. I'm eager to hear what everyone thinks of it.
Happy Reading!
This was the most difficult book I have ever written. Jake wasn't easy to get to know. He fought me every step of the way.
He wouldn't allow me to take the easy route and just write prison therapy sessions. For that, he would have needed to be honest with his psychiatrist... and that wasn't something in which he was interested.
He wouldn't even let me create a sympathetic 'friend' character for him to confide in. He doesn't trust.
In the end... I had to just have an honest, one on one conversation with him. Yeah... just Jackass Jake... and me.
I do think he and I were able to tell his life story in a way that honored his wishes and will make for an interesting read. It got far more graphic than I originally intended, but he insisted that his story be told his way... so there you have it.
I do hope you... enjoy... the book. I'm eager to hear what everyone thinks of it.
Happy Reading!
"Sacrificed"
Now that Jackass is done and out there... it's time for me to get started on the first book in Mike and Kathy's story; "Sacrificed". If you read Jackass then you already have an idea of some of the issues that will face these two... or; should I say... three?
That being said, I'm going to do my best to write this story so that it flows in with the rest of the stories, even if you haven't read Jackass... because I know some won't want to read a book as dark as Jake's story. I think I can cover Jake's part in Sacrificed without being as graphic as I was in Jackass.
I'm giving myself 3 months maximum to get Sacrificed out. Wish me luck!
That being said, I'm going to do my best to write this story so that it flows in with the rest of the stories, even if you haven't read Jackass... because I know some won't want to read a book as dark as Jake's story. I think I can cover Jake's part in Sacrificed without being as graphic as I was in Jackass.
I'm giving myself 3 months maximum to get Sacrificed out. Wish me luck!
