Guest Blogger: Savannah Foxx

Savannah Foxx is an aspiring paranormal romance writer. She has just completed her first single-title novel TIMELESS and begun work on its sequel. For more on Savannah, stop by her website www.savannahfoxx.com and check her out.

Hi Carol, thanks for having me. I have to tell you that recently my muse has been out for coffee and when I read the scenario for your guest bloggers I was immediately transported to your Tiki Hut and inspired to write. A big thank you for kicking my muse in the behind J

Enjoy!

     Laptop in hand and slathered with SPF fifty, I made my way to my home for the next few hours. My writer buddy was gracious enough to lend me her Tiki Hut so I could wrap up my latest novel. I cast my eyes over the dancing blue water spread out before me and licked my sun-dried lips as I took a seat. Thank heaven for Chapstick. I dug my feet into the hot, white sand and covered my toes with its warm blanket of crystals.

     Shaded by the massive umbrella overhead, I was just about to rest my hands on the keys when a delicious cabana boy sauntered up to me offering a choice of beverages to quench the heat of midday here in Tiki-heaven. My hand hovered over the Corona, light with a hint of citrus, but I chose something sweet, decadent, creamy. The liquid cooled as the milky coconut passed my lips. My choice, a pina colada, complete with pink mini-umbrella.

     My laptop sneered at me. Okay, back to work. My story was set in Chicago, in November. There I was in paradise and I had to write about winter in the windy city. What was I thinking? I blew a puff of air through my puckered lips and got to work. A small breeze brushed against my cheek and carried a wisp of hair that stuck to my Chapstick-colada lips. Damn Carol...couldn’t your Tiki Hut be in a hotel room...with no windows...

     The slight wind beckoned again. Focus Savannah, Focus. I closed my eyes and imagined the breeze was no longer gentle as it whipped my hair and the rain spat in my face. Yes! The warm sand up to my ankles became frigid sleet that nipped at my toes.

     I slid into a groove. The cold November rain surrounded me as the Chicago winds howled. Howl? But it wasn’t the winds in my head that howled. A small dog leapt in and out of the waves yowling at the white foam that raced towards the shore. Not far behind him strolled his dish of an owner. His bronzed skin glistened as tiny droplets of water trickled from his sandy hair onto his well-formed pecs. I bit my lip as my fingers typed. THIS is why I am a pantser. Cold. Rain. Done. I knew what my second love scene would be...Hel-lo shower.

How ‘bout you? Do you continue writing and make your word count, or do you invite the handsome hunk over for a drink? Decisions, decisions...

Comments

Linda G. said…
Well, as we pantsers know, it's easier to make your word count after the "research" is complete. ;)

(Well done!)
LR said…
Yeah and sometimes we pantsers lose our pants. Lol.

Off to get a pina colada (oh wait, it's too early...).
Savannah said…
Good morning! Thanks for stopping by.

Linda, I agree, more research is always a good thing :)

LR, as I read your comment I nearly spit coffee all over my keyboard as I sipped! A pina colada sounds really good right about now, with or without pants ;)
Tori Minard said…
Yep, I agree with Linda and LR. A writer can always use some inspiration. And what better place to be inspired than a tropical beach?
Terry Odell said…
You never know what other wonderful plot points that hunk can provide ...

Terry
Terry's Place
Romance with a Twist--of Mystery
Savannah said…
Hi Tori, you said it, a beach is great inspiration!

Terry, I LOVE the way you think. Oh the things he could inspire...
Isis Rushdan said…
Hi Savannah!

Great post. After living in a beach house for six months, I know all about the allure of the sand and water. Throw in a tropical drink or a glass of wine and I'm set to work on my laptop or relax.
VR Barkowski said…
Another advocate of invite the hunk over. You never know what additional inspiration he can provide. Keeping eyes, ears, and options open is key if one wants to take-off as a pantser (or as LR pointed out, take off one's pants).
Of course you invite the hunk over! One of the most important steps in writing (besides actually writing) is living. When we're out there having adventures and struggles and meeting hunky strangers, the writing ideas grow. Love this post--thanks for sharing!

-Miss GOP
That guy approaches me, he's in trouble!
Savannah said…
Isis, sooo jealous you got to live at a beach house for 6 months! My dream is to sit by some sort of body of water and write the day away, alas, right now, my only option is the tub :)

VR Barkowski, in the original not-for-post version there is definitely loss of pants!
Savannah said…
Thanx Miss GOP! Living is one of the best tools in writing, I think that's where I get my best stuff. Oh, and when I nap of course :)

Alex, I think with you and this group of no-pantsers he doesn't stand a chance!
Donna said…
Good job lil 'cuz! What kind of dog was it anyway? Tee hee
Unknown said…
Funny! It's difficult to describe conflict and other situations when you're sitting in paradise.
Savannah said…
Donna, I was too busy looking at his owner's pecs to notice the breed :)

Very true Clarissa, maybe it's for the better that I don't have a real beach house. I'm wondering if I would ever get any work done!
Lydia Kang said…
I try to make my word count, but if I don't, I'm not too hard on myself. Great to have you stop by Savannah!
Anonymous said…
Um, I'll stick with the word count.
Carol Kilgore said…
Great conversations! Thanks to all of you for stopping by. And welcome to those of you who are new visitors. You're welcome here anytime.

Savannah, I'm thrilled to have re-booted your muse :)

Now all this talk of hunky strangers with or without pants has caused me to take action, I'm off on a mini-roadtrip to the land of real Texas cowboys.

Keep them in line, Savannah. I'll return late this afternoon.
Anonymous said…
You had me a cabana boy. ;-) I try to maintain a daily word count, cabana boys notwithstanding.
Savannah said…
Thanx for stopping by Lydia, sounds like you've got great self-discipline!

Stephen, are you sure? I'll order you a cold, frosty beverage as well ;)
Savannah said…
Carol, please come back and tell us if you've found any pants-less cowboys ;)

Liz, a girl after my own heart!

Thank you to everyone who has stopped by and commented. It has been a delight!
Talli Roland said…
Haha! What a great post!

Must say, I'm boring. I make the word count. And I love Chapstick, too.
Anonymous said…
Savannah Foxx sounds like one foxy lady, and writer. What a fun post! Savannah: I'm now heading to your website to "check you out."

Carol: re your comment on my blog about using an outline this time around. I think it's the only way to go! Good luck!!
Ann Best, Author of In the Memoir, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets
Joan Leacott said…
You MUST invite the hunk over and tell him to bring his "paints". Words count can be done later...much later...and with bonus inspiration!
Carol Kilgore said…
I'm sad to report all the cowboys wore jeans. On the bright side, Wranglers do have a really snug fit :)
Savannah said…
Talli, not boring just more productive!

Ann, thanx for stopping by AND checking me out. So glad you liked it :)

I'm right there with yah Joan! Word count be damned!

Too bad Carol, but snug wranglers can be just as nice! I just came back from the pool, I must say, there was a bit of inspiration there today as well ;)
Carol Kilgore said…
Thanks so much to Savannah Foxx for being our guest blogger this week. Savannah, you've done a bang-up job hosting, and I know everyone enjoyed your Tiki Hut experience - they all want to meet that cute little dog :)
Savannah said…
One last thanks for having me Carol. I loved being your guest here at the Tiki hut and thanks to everyone who stopped by, you all made it a lot of fun!
AnnaClayton said…
Love hearing other "pantsers" talk about their process...um, challenges- they are one in the same sometimes, huh???
Great blogging- fun and thought provoking stuff! I love it!
Kelly
Anonymous said…
I just went to the beach (last week!) and I didn't get any work done at all! Brought my own "cabana boy" so no chance at the locals, darn it! So, you all know my answer, research first!

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