Along the way, we had to pass a few uninterested bystanders. They were a bit white-faced that we had the audacity to invade their territory, but hey, I was a bit white-faced, too.

Ah, the fresh smell of cow patties… Phew!

Much fun was had and tons of blackberries were picked, despite the pricklies! Before an ominous thunderstorm rolled in, I snapped some fun photos. And of course, being the one behind the camera, I never seem to be in any photos. Well, unless they turn out like this.

There really is a writing lesson buried in this text, promise.

Many writer friends and I have talked about the unconscious muse phenom. What we’re talking about is when we’re writing a current work-in-process and down the road we discover that some innocuous item we’d added much earlier in the story–just to give some authenticity or because we wanted to further flesh out a setting–turned out to be pivotal in the storyline later. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN!?! And even though it has happened often enough to lead me to believe my own muse sometimes runs in the background in my subconscious, there is a lesson to be picked up here. One that I can consciously implement into my stories and so can you!

There’s an expression in the screenwriting world called “Laying the Pipe” (er, I believe I have the correct expression, and NO, it’s not that meaning. Git yer minds outta the gutter ). The basic gist behind this idea is that as the story unfolds you want to plant items early in the storyline that will have an impact on your story later, but you do this by integrating those items in such a way that the viewer/reader doesn’t KNOW you’re planting them. It’s done this way so that later on in the storyline when it’s important that your audience “recalls” the small item they missed before and how it relates to the big reveal now, then they’ll nod their heads and say, Oh, yeah, remember in the Supernatural “Time Is On My Side” episode that flash back scene between the young Bella and the demon in the child’s body? When the demon promised Bella she’d take care of Bella’s parents for her and all it would cost Bella was ten years? What color was the demon’s eyes? They were red not white! Which means what exactly? Lilith the demon who wants Sam dead has white eyes and we’re TOLD that Lilith was the same demon who owned Bella’s soul…but is she? Is there really another demon with red eyes who owns Bella’s soul? And how does the red-eyed demon play into the storyline for Dean and Sam? ‘Cause you KNOW there’s a tie-in.

Okay, so what does blackberry picking have to do with this fun writing lesson above? Check out that first photo again. What do you see?

Do you see the praying mantis? If you saw it the first time, good for you! These insects’ bodies are MADE for camouflage. He was there all along, hiding in plain sight. That’s what you’re doing with little items you add to your story along the way that will have a major impact later. Layer them in so that they are a seamless part of the story by giving them more of a reason for being there than just to support the reveal later. Readers love to be surprised! I know I do.

Onward with the contest news…

I’ll be guest blogging over at the Maverick Authors tomorrow (Thursday, Sept 18th). Please stop by and comment. For anyone who hasn’t picked up a copy of Scions:Insurrection, I’ll be giving away a signed copy to one of the participants tomorrow.

Other contests that are currently running…Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Anticipation and Seduction here. And I’m participating in a fall contest here!

AND, last but not least…here’s the blurb for SCIONS: PERCEPTION. This novella releases Nov 1. When I have a cover to share I will post it.

Abby had barely survived the treacherous drive to Kaitlyn’s house through an ice storm. Then, forced to break in when she couldn’t find the key, she was immediately grabbed by someone in the dark. She gave her assailant the fight of his life…until his accusation that she was a burglar told her a mistake had been made. Now, facing her opponent, she was overwhelmed by an electric attraction more intense than any she’d ever felt.

Gabriel was impressed by this fascinating spitfire. He also felt the most intense desire of his life–a relentless need so powerful it tore him apart. He understood immediately that Abby was the one–the female destined as his mate for life. But Abby wasn’t like the other females he’d been with. For one thing, she was human. Gabriel didn’t trust humans one bit. But the realization hit him–if he was to win Abby, he would have to win her trust…and Abby wasn’t going to make it easy.

I guess that’s all for now!