Addison Fox: The Fall

I finished up copy edits on my October manuscript this morning, delighted at several spots where my editor had made smiley faces in the manuscript. This book was a toughie and it was especially satisfying to get this one over the finish line.

Some books write hard and some write easy and this one was definitely in the former category. There was something about this hero and heroine. I’ve had them sparring with each other for the past two books and now that it was their turn to find happy ever after, they clammed up on me.

Fortunately, I knew them well. Even more fortunately, my editor had a keen eye to what I was missing. Namely….they needed time to fall. Not down, although since this is a romantic suspense that does happen.

But fall in love.

The problem was, in my mind, they were already there. They’ve known each other for some time, bickering with a smoldering intensity that any right-thinking soul would label as verbal foreplay. Their best friends have gotten together and are already on the way to their own forevers. And, well, it’s the third book in a series - (sorry, spoiler alert) - OF COURSE THEY’RE GETTING TOGETHER!!

So what was taking the two of them so long?

Part of what I love about being a writer is working with an editor. They see the manuscript with both the fresh eyes of the reader and the sharp of eyes of someone who understands what’s needed to make the work better. Sure, I know Max and Violet are destined for each other and my readers likely know it, too.  But now that they’re getting their own story, it’s essential I make that fall fun, exciting and well-paced.

After all, the fall is the reason we keep turning the pages. That slide into love is what keeps us coming back for more and whether the hero and heroine are life-long friends or people who’ve known each other only a short while, we readers want to see each and every moment of their love story.

The reader in me knows that. But the writer in me needs a good reminder every now and again!

Thanks for joining me today.

XOXO,

Addison

Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in Dallas and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her latest book, SECRET AGENT BOYFRIEND, is out now from Harlequin Romantic Suspense. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com