Back in April, I invited Inspy Romance blog followers to come plot with me. Twenty-seven people took me up on my invitation and answered the 7 questions on the Come Plot with Me survey. This month, I thought it would be fun to share the first and second place answers for each question. There were a few ties and some fun “other” suggestions.
1. The setting for my romance novel would be:
The beach 10 (37%)
The mountains 9 (33%)
One participant said: I love the beauty of the mountain scenery. I also like to go for walks, and the clothing suits me better there. Blue jeans/sweatshirts. I also enjoy the different temperatures. It can be hot during the day, so you would be comfortable by a creek or even a pool (if you were staying somewhere) and cool at night so you could also be comfortable by a fire. (Maybe roasting marshmallows.)
Another said: The constant ripples of the water — especially the ocean waves — are melodic and a natural backdrop for romance.
2. I would name my hero:
Jackson 8 (31%)
Max 6 (23%)
One participant (possibly a writer) said: No name jumps out at me for the moment. I need to know more about a character’s personality, before I know his name.
One participant suggested: Dominic but goes by Nic
3. I would name my heroine:
Grace & Zoe 8 (31%)
Belle 6 (31%)
One participant said: Belle sounds like it doesn’t fit as a mountain girl’s name. She is no fluff though. She loves rock climbing and takes tourists on climbs. Max is visiting from the city and lets his older brother talk him into climbing because his older brother likes Belle, who has no interest in him at all. Max…well, Max is another matter. When they get snowed in on the mountain they must survive the worst and find love at 30,000 ft.
4. My hero’s profession would be:
Cowboy & chef 8 (31%)
Pastor 5 (19%)
One participant said: Chef is unique – don’t see that profession often in romance books. There’s a cowboy in every other romance book. Plus, a woman loves a man who can cook for her!
Another participant suggested: Marine biologist or conservationist
5. My heroine’s profession would be:
Artist 10 (38%)
Lawyer 7 (27%)
One participant suggested: mountain climbing guide
Another participant said: Maybe [a mom] whose children are grown or she has always been everyone else’s “mom” and now she is out for a new adventure of her own.
6. The romance would include:
Increasing romantic tension w/ a minimum of 3 kisses 16 (62%)
Other option 3 (12%)
A wedding w/ a gorgeous gown 3 (12%)
One participant said: I’m always a bit disappointed at how quickly romances end as soon as the couple end up together. I’d like to see them enjoy being happy together, just for a bit, or get a glimpse of their happy future together.
7. I would make sure my story included:
A sassy best friend for the heroine 9 (35%)
A fun goofy dog for the hero 7 (27%)
One participant said: What’s not to love about a dog?
And a lot of participants suggested adding all the elements to the story to up the tension.
What are your thoughts on the results of the Come Plot with Me Survey?
Photo credits: Mountain Photo by Rob Vogt (c) 2013/Ocean Photo Beth Vogt (c) 2013/chef photo grigorybruev/123RF.com/potter photo sirikornt/123RF.com
Beth believes God’s best is often behind the doors marked “Never.” She’s a former nonfiction writer and editor who said she’d never write fiction. But then God turned a season of burnout into a bend in the writing road. Now she writes contemporary romance set in the Colorado Rockies, including: Wish You Were Here (2012), Catch a Falling Star (2013), and Somebody Like You (2014). Beth also serves as the Skills Coach for My Book Therapy. Check out Beth’s books at bethvogt.com.
There’s nothing like the beach for relaxation and romance. A great place for a runaway bride or a city girl getting away from it all.
I agree, Angie. It’s a great place for a writers retreat too!
A bit behind on blog-reading this week. Been busy proofreading.
Beth, the results were just as much fun as the survey itself! Thanks for letting us take part. Has your imagination been stirred up by all of this?