Denise Williams
  • Home
  • About Denise
    • Media Kit
  • Books
    • How to Fail at Flirting
    • The Fastest Way to Fall
    • Do You Take This Man
    • Love and Other Flight Delays
    • Technically Yours
    • Even If the Sky Is Falling
    • Heat and CWs
    • International Editions
  • Contact Me
  • Events
  • Book Clubs
  • Blog
  • Links
  • Media Kit
Picture

Thoughts & Happenings

Is that a thing?: Too Many Social Issues:

11/19/2018

1 Comment

 
A critique partner told me once I had too many social issues in the draft of my romance novel. At the time, my protagonist was a multiracial woman of color in academia who encountered sexism and racism in the book as well as having experiencing with dating violence. Throughout the book, she made mention of her racial identity when the love interests were getting to know each other. The love interest had his own experiences exploring consent. At the time, I took it as 'too many subplots' and skimmed it back, but in retrospect, I think about that phrase: too many social issues.

My protagonist's views of the world have been shape by the way she's experienced it--racism, sexism, violence and identity all together. At the same time, it's a romance novel, the book isn't about any of those. They've shaped the person falling in love. What is the balance for other #ownvoices authors?

As we strive to write real and complex characters, especially characters of color or who hold marginalized identities, what's the line in fiction about the intersectionality of our characters identities and the nexus of their experiences? I've always written mt characters as close to how they might actually live as possible, but aside from my wonderful beta readers and friends, I haven't yet had to sell my book to anyone. I guess time will tell!

1 Comment

An Ode to Competition

11/14/2018

0 Comments

 

via GIPHY

As it turns out, I like to win.
It doesn't matter if there's a prize or even if there's a direct competitor. If there's a change to beat a record, to come in first or to accomplish a goal, I am all about it.
  • Starbucks sweepstakes were made for me--I will hustle for another chance to win.
  • To-do lists are a fully powerful motivator for me.
  • In writing, NaNoSprints give me LIFE. Sure, I could sit down and write steadily for 30 minutes, but knowing others are doing the same and I'll need to report out in the end?  Fingers don't fail me now.

If only I could apply this principle to other things in my life like exercise, doing the dishes, or cleaning my house.

I've come to appreciate my weird love affairs with competition. Some might say I've come to appreciate it the most of anyone.


​
0 Comments

#SixWordStories

11/13/2018

1 Comment

 
Despite using it for work on and off for years, I've recently discovered that I love Twitter.
Yes, I realize I am late to the party and all the cool kids left for Insta, SnapChat and whatever other social media platform blossomed in the last 30 seconds, but I'll admit it: I'm addicted to hashtag games.

​My favorite lately is #sixwordstory, a wonderful throwback to Six Word Memoirs and the accompanying book.

So, what better way to introduce myself in post #1, then with a few six word stories.
  • Moved often. Love staying home now.   We moved a lot when I was growing up​ and between college and work, I'd been all over. Now, I really enjoy staying home.
  • Read romance, also have a PhD.  Gasp...educated women read dirty books, too? Yep. 
  • Thank God my child sleeps well.  I deeply love my child...and I am so happy when he goes to bed.
  • I'm not bossy, I'm the boss  Ok, that's a straight up Beyoncé quote, but it's fitting
  • I don't know what I'm doing.  I wrote a book and now I'm trying to publish it...and despite all my research, this seems to be how I end most days.


1 Comment

    About Denise

    Denise reads romance novels, writes research papers, can be found humming "Baby Shark" long after her toddler has gone to bed, and loves ruining her character's lives but then giving them happily ever afters. She is a member of ​Romance Writers of America® and a 2019 Golden Heart® Finalist, and her debut novel HOW TO FAIL AT FLIRTING will be out fall 2020 from Berkley.

    Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Archives

    May 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    March 2019
    November 2018

    Categories

    All
    2020 Debut
    2020RomClass
    Book Recommendations
    How To Fail At Flirting
    New Authors
    Romance

    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • About Denise
    • Media Kit
  • Books
    • How to Fail at Flirting
    • The Fastest Way to Fall
    • Do You Take This Man
    • Love and Other Flight Delays
    • Technically Yours
    • Even If the Sky Is Falling
    • Heat and CWs
    • International Editions
  • Contact Me
  • Events
  • Book Clubs
  • Blog
  • Links
  • Media Kit