{"id":6171,"date":"2016-05-21T01:05:38","date_gmt":"2016-05-21T05:05:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kate-hill.com\/blog\/?p=6171"},"modified":"2016-05-20T10:03:35","modified_gmt":"2016-05-20T14:03:35","slug":"guest-blogger-lisabet-sarai-a-character-driven-random-walk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kate-hill.com\/blog\/?p=6171","title":{"rendered":"Guest Blogger: Lisabet Sarai – A Character-Driven Random Walk"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"lsTheGazillionaireAndTheVirgin_400\"<\/a>A Character-Driven Random Walk<\/strong><\/p>\n

By Lisabet Sarai<\/p>\n

In January I published my ninth novel, The Gazillionaire and the Virgin.<\/em> This book marked a major departure for me, in terms of my writing process. It was the first time I? followed what I call the Character-driven Random Walk Method<\/a>. In this method, you don\u2019t have an overall plan for the book. Instead, you allow the story to evolve dynamically from the characters.<\/p>\n

From conversations with my fellow authors, I know many of them use this method all the time. Not me. Though I\u2019m not as extreme as some writers, who create detailed outlines and character sketches, my past books have tended to be more under my conscious control. I usually have a clear plot arc in mind, as well as a tentative list of scenes. I know where the action will reach a crisis and how the book will end. My writing process has undoubtedly been influenced by my education as a scientist and my profession as a software engineer. I\u2019m definitely in the plotter as opposed to the pantser camp. Or, at least I have been until now.<\/p>\n

When I began writing The Gazillionaire and the Virgin<\/em>,\u00a0 all I had was a title and the two main characters (reflected in the title), Rachel and Theo. I really had no idea what they\u2019d do, other than falling in love.<\/p>\n

I did know this was going to be an erotic romance. In fact, although the book deliberately shreds romance stereotypes, it preserves the essential core of romance, namely, the characters\u2019 journey toward a loving relationship. So I understood there had to be obstacles or conflicts that would stand in the way of the happy ending. At the start, though, I couldn\u2019t have told you the nature of those obstacles. I didn\u2019t plan. I didn\u2019t outline. That\u2019s not like me at all! I simply sat down at my computer, invoked Rachel and Theo, and let them interact. I can\u2019t say I heard voices in my head, the way some other authors claim, but at each point in the plot, the focus character in some sense decided what would happen next.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d expected the book would be a novella, 20K words at most. As I let Rachel and Theo lead me deeper into their story, I discovered I was wrong. They did not want to be rushed. It took four chapters for them to get to their first erotic encounter. The revelation that they shared kinky interests took another four. By the time I reached the book\u2019s climax, the events that tear them apart, I had more or less figured out how they\u2019d reconcile, but I couldn\u2019t make them follow my script. Theo turned out to be far more stubborn than I would have guessed. Fortunately, Rachel\u2019s imagination came to the rescue. Still, every time I sat down to write what I thought would be the final chapter, I\u2019d come to realize there was yet another one needed.<\/p>\n

When I finally wrote \u201cThe End\u201d, I was seriously relieved. I wasn\u2019t sure Rachel and Theo would ever let me finish their story!<\/p>\n

I found it was more difficult to make progress using this method. As I\u2019ve mentioned, my plans didn\u2019t always match those dictated by the characters. I\u2019d often come away from a writing session frustrated that I hadn\u2019t moved further along in my quest toward an ending.<\/p>\n

At the same time, I\u2019m very pleased with the result, and my readers seem to be, too, based on the rave reviews<\/a> the book has received. Despite the lack of an outline, the book feels very \u201ctight\u201d to me. I managed to tie up a lot of the early details into the ending in a rather elegant fashion, I think. (These were suggestions from the characters.) And I feel that I accomplished my objective, writing a book that was both classic romance and anti-romance\u00a0 (in the sense that it breaks a lot of rules).<\/p>\n

I do believe that we authors can grow through experimenting with new techniques, as well as new genres. The last thing I want is for all my books to feel and sound the same. People who\u2019ve read my other novels will find The Gazillionaire and the Virgin<\/em> a significant change. I hope they view that as positive.<\/p>\n

Blurb<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trust can\u2019t be bought\u2014it has to be earned.<\/em><\/p>\n

When Silicon Valley entrepreneur Rachel Zelinsky meets reclusive genius Theo Moore, she finds him strangely compelling. Theo is both arrogant and socially awkward, but he has an aura of power that speaks to Rachel\u2019s carefully-hidden submissive side. Disturbed and aroused, she tries to focus on her original objective\u2014a deal to incorporate his Artificial Intelligence software into her company\u2019s popular virtual world. Rachel\u2019s not a woman who lets pleasure interfere with business, but for some reason, she can\u2019t resist Theo\u2019s geeky appeal.<\/p>\n

Theo Moore can\u2019t be bought. His past battles with poverty make him deeply suspicious of the billionaire CEO. Still, with her voluptuous curves and brilliant mind, Rachel embodies his ultimate sexual fantasy. Too bad his knowledge about sex derives from extensive research and a stash of kinky porn rather than real-world experience.<\/p>\n

That doesn\u2019t bother Rachel, however. In his bed\u2014in his arms\u2014in his bonds\u2014she discovers the bliss of total surrender. Rachel may be Theo\u2019s first lover, but Theo is Rachel\u2019s first true Master\u2014and the first man to truly touch her heart. It seems that love may harmonize their differing goals and values, until Rachel\u2019s unwitting violation of Theo\u2019s trust threatens to tear them apart forever.<\/p>\n

Short Excerpt<\/strong><\/p>\n

I get more annoyed by the second. I am considering honking the horn, which I know will embarrass him, when he appears on the second floor landing. I recognize him by his height and bulk. Otherwise, he\u2019s transformed.<\/p>\n

In the custom tailored tuxedo, he\u2019s distinguished and elegant. The sleek black trousers cling to what are obviously powerful, muscular legs. The jacket highlights his broad shoulders and trim waist. Not fat, oh no! He moves with unexpected grace, as if the formal clothing bestowed a sort of gravitas to subdue his usual gawkiness. With his dark hair slicked back from his forehead, he looks like some international man of mystery. The spectacles just heighten the impression of intelligence and sophistication.<\/p>\n

Holding the rail of the gallery that runs along the second floor, he scans the parking area.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver here, Theo,\u201d I call out of the open window.<\/p>\n

He jumps at the sound of my voice. I think he\u2019s about to bolt, to flee back into his condo and slam the door. I can practically see the struggle going on in his body. I hold my breath, waiting for the outcome. Finally he raises his hand in a feeble wave, and fumbles his way down the stairs. The strong, self-assured man of a few moments earlier has vanished. But I remember him. That\u2019s the Theo Moore I need to cultivate.<\/p>\n

Connect with Lisabet<\/strong><\/p>\n

Website:\u00a0 http:\/\/www.lisabetsarai.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Blog: \u00a0 http:\/\/lisabetsarai.blogspot.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Amazon Author Page: https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/author\/lisabetsarai<\/a><\/p>\n

Goodreads: http:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/author\/show\/83387.Lisabet_Sarai<\/a><\/p>\n

Twitter: https:\/\/www.twitter.com\/lisabetsarai<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy Links<\/strong><\/p>\n

Amazon US<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B01B76B95K\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Amazon UK<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B01B76B95K\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Barnes & Noble<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/w\/the-gazillionaire-and-the-virgin-lisbet-sarai\/1123327821?ean=2940157884932<\/a><\/p>\n

All Romance<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.allromanceebooks.com\/product-thegazillionaireandthevirgin-1974313-354.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Kobo<\/p>\n

https:\/\/store.kobobooks.com\/en-us\/ebook\/the-gazillionaire-and-the-virgin<\/a><\/p>\n

Smashwords<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.smashwords.com\/books\/view\/611337<\/a><\/p>\n

iTunes<\/p>\n

https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/book\/gazillionaire-virgin\/id1079442844?mt=11<\/a><\/p>\n

Google Books<\/p>\n

https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=qCF4CwAAQBAJ<\/a><\/p>\n

Excessica<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.excessica.com\/books\/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=1011<\/a><\/p>\n

Goodreads: https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/28766414-the-gazillionaire-and-the-virgin<\/a><\/p>\n

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