WAIT! Don’t change that URL. You haven’t made a mistake, this really is the Good Girls Kill For Money Blog. Your normal Tuesday hostess, the beautiful and talented Laura Bradford, is busy trying to meet a deadline. Success comes at a price.
I’m also working against a deadline, so I thought I’d make this a working blog and put the faithful GG readers to work for me. WAIT. It won’t hurt, really. Let me explain. But in order to do so, I’m going to have to break a cardinal rule of writing and lead with a little back story.
For those of you that may be familiar with me, you know I’m a stickler for accuracy and an avid researcher. In my first novel, A Reason For Dying, I took on the daunting task of introducing a female protagonist, FBI Special Agent Laura Daniels. Just in case you’re wondering, I created Laura Daniels before I ever met Laura Bradford, although, our favorite GG will tell you I have confused their names a time or two. But I digress; a little about Laura Daniels. In my mind, she looks a bit like this.
Yes, that’s Evangeline Lilly from Lost. What the heck, if you’re going to dream up a person and live with them for awhile, they might as well be easy on the mental eye. Laura was described by an early reader as an interesting mix of Dirty Harry and Daddy’s Girl. That reader was spot on. Laura’s mother died in child birth and she was raised by her father along with three brothers. She is a man’s woman and most often fits right in with the man’s world of law enforcement. Her biggest fear is failure. She’s strong-willed, smart and things come easy for her, but she gets frustrated quickly when they don’t. Even though she’s tough, she still has tender feelings at times. Her career is so important to her, she hasn’t had time for romance. In A Reason For Dying, Laura begins falling for Spokane Police Detective Jim Harrison. They get off to a rocky start, but manage to find some time to explore a relationship. I don’t want to give up too much information, so I’ll let it go at that. Let’s just say that Jim doesn’t figure prominently in the next book.
In my work in progress, A Reason For Terror, Laura Daniels finds out that her long time buddy and partner, FBI Agent Johnny Campisi may have more than a professional partnership on his mind. Until now, Laura thinks of him as more a big brother. Johnny is described as looking a bit like a mafia thug. Perhaps a little bit like the Soprano’s Bobby “Bacala” Baccalieri played by Steven R. Schirripa. Johnny is perhaps a bit thinner with a more muscular build and a little thinner in the face.
Okay, that’s the back story. So, last Friday I took a day off from work to get some writing done and the scene I’m writing is the first time Laura and Johnny find themselves alone since she learns that Johnny may have romantic feelings for her. While I was struggling to figure out how Laura Daniels would handle the situation, I received an e-mail from Laura Bradford asking me if I’d fill in for her on today’s blog. So, it dawns on me. What an opportunity to get input. After all, I’m a big believer in research and the GG readers are an intelligent and insightful bunch. So, here’s the scene.
Johnny and Laura find themselves alone for the first time since she has been made aware that he may have more than a professional interest in her. They just suffered through a long evening with their only witness in a terrorist’s plot being killed, Laura almost dying in a burning inferno along with the destruction of evidence that may have cracked the case. Rough night by most standards. Laura was saved by… None other than Johnny. So, while he, rather comically, inhales a huge breakfast, Laura finds herself picking at her oatmeal while checking him out in a way she never expected; the definition of his muscled forearms, the tightness of his tee shirt across his broad chest, his thick jawline and brilliant eyes.
At this point I have no preconceived notions about their futures, together or apart. So here’s the question. What happens at this breakfast? Does she confront her partner? Let it slide? Is she blunt? Is she coy? I need help GG readers. This is your chance to have input into what’s shaping up to be a blockbuster novel. (Okay, a novel.) Give it your best.
~Will Bereswill
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Hmmmmm. I think she should be uncomfortable with him having saved her, doubly so as she realizes she’s noticing him. I’d say reserved, maybe a little coy at times.
thanks for standing in, Will.
by Laura
on September 23rd, 2008 at 6:03 am
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Let it slide. Give her time to really think about this. She’s probably thinking that she got it wrong anyway. She doesn’t want to mess up the partnership by blurting out something she’ll regret later.
And it depends on who she is? Does she jump in the sack frequently? Or is she saving herself for mr. right or somewhere in between.
I would think that their work relationship is pretty deep and the thought of messing that up would be high on her mind.
Interesting question. Personal note: I wrote two days in a row. Let’s hope today is day three.
by Lynn
on September 23rd, 2008 at 6:24 am
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Depends on how much tension you need there to be between them, Wil. Where is this in their story arc? What point in the book is this encounter, and are you in the building of tension stage, or in the releasing of tension stage? Double entendre intended.
And hey, it’s only breakfast. She could be thinking of that, in relation to a different kind of relationship, rather than their partnership. As in, what it would otherwise mean to be having breakfast, an unusual kind of meal to have with the opposite sex, unless one has spent the previous night together.
by Karen in Ohio
on September 23rd, 2008 at 7:28 am
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Laura it’s my pleasure to be part of such a great group.
Reserved and coy? It is a sticky situation getting involved with a co-worker, isn’t it? My gut tells me that she may be upset with herself that, as an FBI Agent, she didn’t figure this out by herself. She was told that Johnny has a romantic interest by a new agent who is working with them. She’s miffed that she didn’t notice it.
Lynn, there definitely could be a humorous scene with her letting it slide while pondering what to do.
What kind of girl is she? Well, she wants a serious relationship, but she doesn’t want it to interfere with her career. And NO, she doesn’t hop into bed with everyone, but she did try to have an intimate evening with Jim Harrison in the first book.
OH, Congrats on the writing. Don’t TRY to write a third day in a row, Lynn. Make time to do it.
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Great point, Karen. They ARE away from their homes (Washington D.C.) in New Jersey, so, they did stay in a hotel, not together. Not yet, maybe?
I find that in a Thriller, it is difficult to find breaks in the action to build character. I try not to stray too far from moving the plot forward. We are right in the middle of the story. The tension is at it’s peak and I want the reader to catch his breath during this brief scene.
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I think you’ve probably already got what you needed, Will, but I’ll chime in late. (It’s what comes from waiting until 8 o’clock to check blogs… gee!)
I think everyone’s pretty much right. No, she wouldn’t confront him. She’d be a little uncomfortable (in case she’s right and he does like her), a little unsure (in case she’s wrong and he doesn’t), and she’d probably be quite focused on reading the signs to figure it out one way or the other. Unless she prefers to ignore it, because she doesn’t want him to feel that way, and she has no interest in him, although it doesn’t sound that way from the way you described it. I especially like Karen’s idea of her being so very conscious of it being breakfast, and what that would have meant under different circumstances.
As you say, it’s a thriller, and they’re a lot more action oriented than relationship oriented, so if it were me, I’d do less rather than more. Internalize it all this time; have the conversation later. At the end of the book, maybe? Build the relationship slower rather than faster. No sense in rushing into anything (plus, you’ll have us all buying more books if you drag it out!) I like Johnny already. I’ve always liked the name - I seem to have a thing for J-names - and then there’s the muscled forearms, the tight T-shirt, the broad chest, the brilliant eyes…
by JennieB
on September 23rd, 2008 at 7:58 am
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Just from a practical standpoint, I don’t think any woman in her position would say anything at breakfast - presumably she has to spend the day working with him. If she says anything (at all, ever, even), it is easier to say it at the end of the day so if things get uncomfortable, they can retreat more easily and try to regroup before a new day starts. If things go well, then they would have a better way to get to having breakfast together another morning in the more ‘traditional’ way.
by Kate Hathway
on September 23rd, 2008 at 8:26 am
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Hmmm, I’m seeing a trend here. Research is good.
Jennie, it’s hard to put all the circumstances out there a a little blog, but after a 3rd party made Laura aware of Johnny’s potential interest, she’s been looking for clues for a while.
Kate, great thought about the end of the day allowing for re-grouping. Now, kind of like 24, they are not on a 9 - 5 schedule.
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Hey Will,
This is a fun situation, and there’s a lot here to dabble with.
First, an Evangeline Lilly look-alike is a woman who’s accustomed to having guys fall for her. She has her routine down; she either reaches for the gentle let-down, or the very forceful kiss-off.
In this case, she cares about and has to work with this guy, so she’s going to be gentle when she finally addresses it. She’ll go for the “We’re partners. We can’t be, you know, PARTNERS. We’ve both seen this, and it never works.”
But that’s only when she decides to address it.
Rather than having Laura’s actions dictated by plot, maybe take a deeper look at your character. Based on the person your readers met in the first book, what would she do? What rings true? Run with that.
Or you could spin it:
She frets over what to do for the first two-thirds of the book, figures out her feelings, and decides to tackle it directly. And then Johnny says, “Umm, nope. Your source was off. We’re partners. I can’t let myself think of you as a, you know, potential PARTNER. But if you ever want to grab a beer after work, give me a call.”
Now she’s frustrated and confused. And Johnny is rattled, because she wasn’t supposed to know how he felt. But she seemed…intrigued…so he’s thinking about her even more.
They both know that work/personal relationships are seldom healthy. And if you bring firearms into the mix, it’s even more dicey.
This a great way to shift her focus from one love interest to the next, without it feeling like a plot device.
Life is tough when other people are making it up for you. Make ‘em miserable. And have fun with it.
by Joe
on September 23rd, 2008 at 10:31 am
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Joe makes a good point here, about a woman that looks like Laura. You might want to make her annoyed that yet another guy is thinking of her this way, and not being more appreciative of her mind. That makes the character more complex, too.
I hope you guys are willing to help me when I get to this point! This sort of brainstorming is fascinating.
by Karen in Ohio
on September 23rd, 2008 at 10:36 am
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Joe, you make me proud to be a guy.
I have to say, this is intriguing:
“She frets over what to do for the first two-thirds of the book, figures out her feelings, and decides to tackle it directly. And then Johnny says, “Umm, nope. Your source was off. We’re partners. I can’t let myself think of you as a, you know, potential PARTNER. But if you ever want to grab a beer after work, give me a call.””
Karen, I see your points, only they’ve worked together for a long time. SO, if Johnny is crossing that line from partner to PARTNER, then it’s for more than looks. But yes, I see Laura as taking exception to that with someone else.
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Besides, if you keep them both guessing on what the other is thinking it ramps up the tension. I like the Laura finally addresses it, Johnny blows her off (but secretly still feels that way), then maybe Johnny makes the next move but he’s too late for this book, she’s dating Mr. Perfect who’s really nice and great for her (just not Johnny.)
I know, I’m suppose to be writing. Totally crappy day at work so trying to get into it.
by Lynn
on September 23rd, 2008 at 5:52 pm
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She’s initally awkward, but then she pulls herself together and remembers that she doesn’t want anything interferring with the best partnership she’s ever had. She treats him like she always has…except she can’t help noticing the cute way his hair falls in his eyes…
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Hey, Diana. You’re back. Thanks for adding that.
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