I am an easy sell when it comes to books, but that’s another blog. I’m guilty of this, believe me, I am far from reproach. Readers can also be guilty of phoning it in from time to time. Are readers willing to go along with a story because the genre dictates what will and always happens next? Wrong side of the tracks hero pulls high society maiden from her society column and deflowers amid the wilds of her wealthy fathers estate? It’s been done and will be done again and again, and why not? The idea of phoning it in comes in to play when a write just rehashes the story with little deviation from a story told repeatedly from the beginning of romance. Perhaps I am being difficult and asking more of myself as a writer than necessary.

I found certain elements of the romance to be typical of the genre and so tired I ached to relieve the words of their decade’s long slavery. I realized it is easy as a writer to “phone in” details. Not every story has to be Gone with the Wind and over 1000 pages but I felt this writer’s style was lush and beautiful enough but was not matching the pace of the story they were hoping to tell. If you are going to write a grand, epic romance then be generous with details and slow the pace down. My advice to this writer week after week was to be more “generous” with the story and character. Great sweeping things reminiscent of Gone with the Wind, if not a bit dramatic, definitely well written for someone of tender college age. I remember one writer who wrote beautiful corset ripping romances. Hmm, I immediately began to wonder how this can relate to writers and kept mulling the concept of “calling it in” over and over in my head until I was reminded of a writers group I led during the past summer. The zest is gone but you are so good at doing what you do you can offer 5% and get away with it. Upon further discussion, it was explained as someone who is doing just enough to get by, or performing on autopilot. While discussing a popular television show and the work that goes into the production of the show my friend said, “You can tell the actress is phoning it in.”

I came across a concept recently I thought I would share. Today I welcome back the alluring Xavier Axelson so grab some coffee or tea and a piece of pie and enjoy…. 1 Comment Guest Blogger: Xavier Axelson Filed under: book recommendation, guest blogger, m/m, writing

The Story of Us by Barbara Elsborg