I think I’ve climbed in bed with Shelley. Better yet, my muse has gone on mutiny with hers, and the two of them are gallavanting around the globe, shirking their musely duties, and checking in when they bloody well feel like it!
I usually write scene by scene. And once I have my book outline all settled, I rarely deviate or skip around the book. But Mizz Muse has decided she doesn’t care what I usually do. She wants to plug in a bit at the end of the mani. Then jump back up to the middle and rearrange it so it looks nothing like the original outline. Then she takes off on vacation for a few days with Shelley’s muse while I sit and stare at my laptop screen.
What’s up with that?
Well, since my muse is missing in action, I’m going to call on our wonderful blogsters to help me out. Answer the following question for me and I’m going to do the “name in a hat” dealie and send the winner a box of goodies. Winner will be announced next Thursday (since that’s probably how long it’ll take Mizz Muse to put in an appearance).
Then again, maybe I should send my muse a box of goodies and see if I can bribe her into behaving…
So here’s the setup: In the book Jaguar’s Rule, you met Reya, a Jaguar shifter, her human beau, Aaron, and Aaron’s two brothers, Austin and Anthony. In Spirit of the Pryde, you met the Pryde sisters (Neesia, Niah, Kotara and Koreas) who are two sets of shifter twins, and Neesia’s shifter mate, Jason. In my next book, Feline’s Rule, the characters from Jag go to hang out with the characters from Pryde.
Question for dilema 1: My original outline had one of the James brother’s hooking up with a set of twins in the Pryde. But Madam Muse wants both of the unmated James brothers to get a girl, instead of leaving one of them single. What should we do?
Question for dilema 2: Who’s the bad guy? There’s got to be a bad guy, right? But Madam Muse doesn’t want one. How the heck do you write a shifter romance with suspense if there’s no bad guy?
So…whatcha think?
These are tough decisions but okay I will try to help:
by Lisa W February 15th, 2007 at 10:43 am#1 - each of the guys get a girl but of course one guy gets 2 girls (does this make sense) eg. Austin with Kotara and Koreas / Anthony with Niah
#2 - Humm..you don’t need a “bad guy” how about a “bad gal”.
I think whatever you decide to write will be great like all your other books but I will say that I like the idea of a menage.
by Deborah February 15th, 2007 at 10:44 amHey Lisa,
Thanks for your ideas. Bad girl, eh? Hmmm, that would different than anything else I’ve ever written. *tj’s mind whirling with possiblities*
by TJ Michaels February 15th, 2007 at 9:13 pmSo, Deb, you’re a menage girl, eh? Yeah, I think somebody’s got to have menage in this next one.
by TJ Michaels February 15th, 2007 at 9:15 pmTJ go for a menage. I love menages (of course my preference is m/f/m but I am not sure you would be able to do this with 3 women/2men count) Anything you write will turn out great.
by Shuck Ying February 16th, 2007 at 9:11 amAha! That explains everything. Your muse is a female, mine is a male. They’ve gone off together to have a dirty weekend! Huh! They have no consideration for their poor authors.
by Shelley Munro February 16th, 2007 at 2:32 pmHey Shuck Ying,
by TJ Michaels February 16th, 2007 at 10:03 pmThanks so much for the compliment, lady! Made my day :D Yeah, it would be tough to pull off a menage with m/f/m especially since the two m’s are brothers. Might be kinda crunchy. LOL!
Yo Shelley! I think they went to play with Alice and James at Fancy Free!
by TJ Michaels February 16th, 2007 at 10:05 pmNow, see, I don’t have a problem with the brothers together with one girl, just have all their focus on your lady. And since you have, by my count, an extra female, I agree with Lisa. She doesn’t have to be totally bad, just give her lots of issues. That would keep things interesting.
by cathy February 21st, 2007 at 7:01 pmI agree with LisaW…. but instead Anthony should be with the two girls, and Austin with Niah…
Jessy
by Jessy February 21st, 2007 at 7:33 pmI like having both guys with one girl. Maybe they can share.
For a bad guy how about turning a secondary character bad? Would add to the climax of the book.
by Zoe Knighton February 21st, 2007 at 7:34 pm1. is easy 2 girls 2 boys simple lol
by Pamk February 21st, 2007 at 7:49 pm2. If no bad guy what about something like an act of nature. No bad guy but still have something to fight against.
1. Two guys, one girl
by Amy S. February 21st, 2007 at 10:35 pm2. how about a jealous ex
Hi TJ!!!
Ok here goes:
Question for dilema 1:
First I was thinking ‘Menage’ til James decides which to be with. Yes they could be together but two could really feel the chemistry and the other who backs out (woman) doesn’t feel it either with him. (Yeah it could be him having two separates relationships but would the book fit for all that?
Then she’d be in another book for her story.
You’ll be writing and find out who connects with each other :)
Question for dilema 2:
by Cathie February 21st, 2007 at 10:50 pmThere could be a bad guy that people misunderstood that he’s really not as bad as we thought, just more tortured? I hate to see one of them become a bad guy, rather bring someone else in to be the bad guy.
Question for dilema 1: My original outline had one of the James brother’s hooking up with a set of twins in the Pryde. But Madam Muse wants both of the unmated James brothers to get a girl, instead of leaving one of them single. What should we do? Hmmm give them both a twin… an the James brothers’ best friends too!
Question for dilema 2: Who’s the bad guy? There’s got to be a bad guy, right? But Madam Muse doesn’t want one. How the heck do you write a shifter romance with suspense if there’s no bad guy? Got to have a bad guy.. or guys..
So…whatcha think?
by Tehya February 22nd, 2007 at 12:39 pmMaybe Miz Muse is out playing with Mr Muse!
Getting the Muses mussed up!!!
it won’t post my comment so not fair
by sonya February 22nd, 2007 at 12:43 pmI’m sure by now your Muse has come home dragging her butt behind her after all the galivanting around! I know that whatever decision you make or made about the lineup of lovers will be the perfect one! It always is.
I discovered your blog while participating in the Raven Vampire Bash by the way. You said to mention that.
Thanks for all the wonderful books you write! I’ve never been disappointed. Keep up the great work - even if you must tie your muse to a chair and withhold her “friendly” visits with Shelley’s muse.
Hugs,
by Robin Snodgrass February 22nd, 2007 at 12:45 pmRobin S.
having a blast at raven vampire bash.
by sonya February 22nd, 2007 at 12:50 pmboth brothers get a girl
how about a bad boy looking for his one true mate and she is involved with one of the brothers for a bad guy
Hey TJ, great seeing your posts on at Raven’s Bash. Your muse sounds like a difficuilt decision, lol.
by Deborah February 22nd, 2007 at 1:37 pmAlready comment on your muse earlier. Having fun at Raven’s Bash!
by Lisa W February 22nd, 2007 at 1:38 pmRaven’s Vampire Bash is going strong, I already let you know my thoughts about your muse.
by Shuck Ying February 22nd, 2007 at 1:39 pmFor Dilema 1: I think that the twins should share one girl (at first separate and then together - just not get kinky with each other).
I am a big fan of yours 
Thank you for participating in it today. Sharon Bryan
by Sharon Bryan February 22nd, 2007 at 2:45 pmFor Dilema 2 I think that the girl should be the kick ass bad character but the twin bt them get her to turn into someone better.
I have been reading your exerpts at the Raven Bash Contest and they rock!
I sort of agree with Lisa!!
by Kim February 22nd, 2007 at 3:01 pm1. Leave two guys with one girl…..another girl will come along for the single guy!
2. Instead of a bad guy………have a BAD girl!
BTW…………Raven Bash has been soooo much fun. And your excerpts……….WOW!
by Kim February 22nd, 2007 at 3:03 pmalready posted earlier just thought I’d tell I had a blast reading all your excerpts at the Raven’s Bash
by Pamk February 22nd, 2007 at 6:36 pm