Romance Writers Use Music Prompts

I'm so not a Romance writer. It's one genre, I recently told a dear friend of mine, that I just don't read. Not trying to knock it, but it's just not my thing.

However, I get it. Many write and love the Romance genre. As I'm sitting at my computer listening to iTunes as I blog, I heard two songs that even inspired me, a non-Romance guy, to think of possible stories revolving around that age old passion that draws men and women: love.

Now love must be complicated. It must be hard. Obstacles are required to make a good story. Lovers just can't meet and then they live happily ever after. They must face obstacles. They must fight for the love they desire - often against seemingly insurmountable odds. That makes a great story.

To spur any would-be Romance writers, I offer two songs as prompts. Listen to them. Use them as prompts to write a story about lovers fighting against the world. Those are the stories that readers want. Two against the world. Another dear friend I spoke to today used the phrase, "Ride or die."

Rather appropriate. It creates conflict. Drama. Passion. Do you feel it? Yes? Then write it. Here are two songs I believe can inspire you to write a tale of Romance:

"Don't Worry Baby," by The Beach Boys.

"A Thousand Years," by Christina Perri.

One Reason Why It's A Good Day

In the middle of cooking dinner... What else?

I have some of the kids reading, some watching a movie. Earlier it was quite the task to get them to clean the entertainment room and the inevitable spillover of toys and books in the living room, dining room, the halls, the bathrooms...sigh!... OK, every square inch of the house.

That all done, I sat on the couch (I mean, reclined) and read. I found a Tennessee Williams quote about his sister that struck me. So, I grabbed my notebook to jot it down and my thoughts on it. The quote made me think of a scene for my characters. Then I fell asleep.

Only for five minutes, because the kids started fighting about whose turn it was on the video game.

The one reason why it was a good day: I was able to find the inspiration to write. Even if you only get a few minutes, write. If you do today or tomorrow or next week, then consider it a good day.

The 1 Writing Book You Must Read

This post is gonna be simple. I just want to direct you to an awesome book for writers. It's "On Writing," by Stephen King.

If you're a new writer, wannabe writer, wishing-to-be a writer, this book is for you. Check it out. If you have any fave parts, let me know.

Are You Using All Five Layers Of Characterization?

In my freshman college writing classes, I ask my students to understand 10 literary terms and identify them in the readings we go through during the term. 

Those basic terms are theme, protagonist, antagonist, character, characterization, conflict, image, symbol, setting, and dialogue. I ask them to read my Mall Demons Urban Fantasy Series, as well as, The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. 

As a literary element, characterization is a powerful tool for writers. I'm convinced that readers will love your story if they understand and appreciate your characters. Readers can't understand or appreciate your characters if you don't do the work to fully characterize them. 

Here are five layers of characterization to help you flesh out your characters whether they are protagonists, antagonists or supporting characters.

First of all, characterization is how you, the writer, describe or develop your characters. The five layers to do that are to show the character's appearance, describe the character's actions, reveal the character's thoughts, allow the character to speak, and display how other characters react to the said character.

What does all that look like? My next blog will provide examples.

Are You Good Enough To Be A Writer?

Have you ever wondered if you're good enough? Talented enough? And then a relative steps up to say, "No, quit dreaming already. Go get me some more cake."

And just maybe in that moment you cowered. You wanted to shout out: "Yes! I can do it! I am a writer! Shove your cake where the sun don't shine!"

But this isn't your fictional world. You can't manipulate the actions and reactions of the characters in this far too realistic drama. So you freeze.You say nothing. Maybe they're right. Maybe you weren't meant to be a writer.

Now, maybe you agree. Everyone's right. I was delusional. Now what?

I think I'll write about it.

Mall Demons Journal In The Works

How would you react if an angel appeared to you in the middle of the night telling you that the fate of the world depended on you?

That is what my protagonist must face in the Mall Demons Urban Fantasy Series I'm currently writing. Daniel is his name. He's a Mexican-American Teen living in the Washington DC area. Now he is all that stands in the way of a Hell on Earth.

Can you say STRESS!

Fortunately, Daniel is a journaling type of guy. So, all those thoughts, all those fears are what he puts down in his personal journal. That journal will soon be available online. Daniel needs to write down what he goes through as it's happening. It helps him think through situations. Soon, you'll be able to read his thoughts as he fights the demons determined to create a Hell on Earth.

Number One Question for Writers...

Here it is:

Are you a wimp?

Are you afraid of what your friends will say about your story? Maybe you're worried that your mother, father, children, cousins will recognize a character or situation in your story. Here's my response:

Who cares!?!

You can't free yourself as a writer if you're constantly thinking about how your words might offend someone. Here's what you must do: Accept the fact that your writing will offend people. Then, write anyway. 

Is The Shopping Mall An Instrument of Evil?

Setting is very important in a story. When you're writing, consider setting as a character in your story.

In my Mall Demons stories, setting is crucial. Most of my action takes place in a shopping mall. My story deals with the classic battle between good and evil.

As I thought about setting, I figured demons nowadays would gravitate towards a mall. Why do you think? 

What do shopping malls have that demons might find attractive?

Death: Good or Bad as a Character?

Is Death good or bad?

As a fictional character, which is it? The Grim Reaper seems evil. But, could Death be a good character? Could it be that the kiss of Death is God's way of welcoming you to Heaven?

Which way would you write Death in your story?

How Often Do You Revise Your WIP?

Funny how random things are.

I was formatting a booklet of one of my Mall Demons chapters for my students. I was having problems formatting the pages. I ended up having a space in the text box needing to be filled. It was a paragraph-sized hole. In other words, an extra paragraph of dialogue, narration, something would make the document ready for printing.

So... I added a paragraph. But after printing, I couldn't stop there. I scrutinized the chapter, grabbed my favorite red pen and began marking up the print out.

I was still adding red marks on my 45-minute subway ride home. On the couch - once I'd changed into comfy night clothes - I pulled out a clipboard, and marked some more. 

I put the chapter down because I had to ask myself, "Was I changing it needlessly?"

I don't have an answer, but I wonder if anyone can relate?

Mall Demons Book Cover In Progress

I'm excited to report that my book cover for "The Chosen Must Fall" is moving along nicely. I just saw three sketches, and they looked pretty good.

"The Chosen Must Fall" is Book One in the Mall Demons series. It has taken longer to get the book finished than I had expected. But it's all been a great learning experience. 

Many who have read the prelude, which is available for Kindle users, are eager to read more of the Mall Demons story. That has been very encouraging. Thanks to all who have read it and liked it.

Fiction: Mall Demons - In The Den Of Lions

Here is the third part of the Mall Demons story. Over the past several months, I have posted these versions on Wattpad. The novelized versions will be released soon. Until then, here they are in case you missed them.

Part Three of the Mall Demon Series

By Pedro Ramirez III

"To the ancients the air itself was a spiritual substance - a medium that could be felt, but not seen."

A little girl with dark, braided hair stood crying in front of the shopping mall entrance. Men and women brushed past her briskly making their way in and out of the mall.

A man in a suit ran out the door, knocking her down without looking back. He stepped onto a Metro bus. The girl sat where she fell. With her face in her hands, she continued crying.

"Sweetie...Are you OK?" A concerned woman approached the girl, set down her bags. With both hands on her walking cane, the woman knelt next to the girl.

The girl kept crying, her face hidden behind her hands.

"Where's your mommy?"

The girl's crying intensified. The woman shifted closer and tried soothing her.

"It's OK. Is your mommy inside?"

The crying quieted. The girl shook her head and spoke, but her voice was muffled behind her hands. The woman inched closer, strained to hear.

"It's OK. I'll help you find your parents."

The woman reached out to move the girl's hands from her face.

"Don't be scared. I'm here to help..."

The girl's sobs returned suddenly, louder as if several children were crying. The girl's outburst startled the woman. She searched the crowd hoping to find a parent. All she knew to do was to keep repeating the same words.

"Don't be scared. Don't be scared."

The sobs changed in tone and character. They sounded more like a laugh. The woman looked closely at the girl's face still hidden behind cupped hands. With preternatural speed, the girl removed her hands from her face.

The woman gasped. She fell back, dropping her cane.

"I'm not scared," the girl said. "Are you?"

The woman scrambled backwards like a crab. The girl launched forward. The woman screamed. She instinctively shielded her face. The girl's grotesquely large head was inches from the woman's. The girl's red eyes bulged, her wide, sharp-toothed smile stretched like a caricature from ear to ear. She laughed.

The woman was nearly lying prostrate on the sidewalk. The girl was straddled above her, chanting in a voice that sounded like a legion of girls speaking at once.

"Don't be scared…Don't be scared."

The woman was frozen with fear. The girl's hair in a braided tail rose into the air. The chanting continued. Her braided hair writhed higher. The end rose to its fullest length. As it did, the braid transformed into a hideous snake with slanted red eyes inside a pulsating black head. Its fangs dripped black venom.

"Don't be scared."

The woman screamed. She reached out for the legs of passersby. Nobody would stop.

"Please! Help!" The woman stopped. Everyone around her possessed the same grotesque red-eyes and sharptoothed grin.

They all were chanting now. And then, the snake struck. Its fangs punctured deeply into the woman's neck. Her head fell with a dull thud onto the sidewalk. The host of demons laughed. The little girl fed on her kill as if she had not fed in days.

"Enough!" The Watcher waved a hand in the viscous air as if he was running his fingers through water. The air rippled at his touch. A brightness radiated from the spot.

"Away!"

The Watcher pressed the spot with his palm as if pushing a button. A blinding light flashed. The demons turned to face him. The brightness reached them, and they froze. Their forms lost their shadows, turned two dimensional. The next second rain fell, and an orange streak of light sliced down from Heaven.

"Evangeline!" The Watcher called out.

The orange streak slammed down at the spot where the demons had killed the woman. The streak appeared as a sword, cutting off the snake's head. Reality split like a canvas curtain shred in half. The curtain halves fell, dissolving in the steady rain.

Evangeline took human form. Covered in a hooded, orange cloak, she was kneeling on the sidewalk in front of the Watcher. She lifted her head and removed her hood as he approached.

"That was completely unnecessary, Evangeline!"

His angry shadow covered her form. The rain had washed away all vestiges of the demon host. The mall was once again alive with men, women and children going about their daily activities blissfully unaware of the spiritual presence.

"Unnecessary, but absolutely satisfying," Evangeline said. She rose to her feet slowly - her head reaching his broad shoulders.

"Too much hubris," he said.

Evangeline walked past him.

"Ironic isn't it?" she said. "A Watcher talking of too much hubris?"

He turned to follow Evangeline. Her back was to him. She turned with a flourish causing her cloak to flare like a skirt.

"Isn't it?" she repeated.

The Watcher stepped forward and knelt before her.

"I forgot my place," he said. "Forgive me…I am at your service."

She looked down her nose at him like a school teacher scolding a pupil. Her mouth betrayed a sly smile. She playfully slapped him upside the head.

"Oh, please, Watcher!" she said sitting down on one of the newspaper boxes lining the curb in front of the shopping mall. "Can't you tell by now when I'm teasing?"

He looked up at her, but remained kneeling.

"For Heaven's sake get up, Watcher!"

He rose slowly. She motioned for him to sit next to her. She was now focused on the mall.

"Sit here. Watch with me," she said. "Like old times."

"Yes…old times," he said.

People were moving in and out of the mall. Some sat at the outdoor tables of the eateries that lined the sidewalk. A man wearing earphones approached the box Evangeline was sitting on. His hand went through her cloak and her thigh as he opened the door to pull out a newspaper.

"No matter how many millennia go by, that's always weird," she said.

Watcher nodded. The man with the newspaper walked toward one of the outdoor tables. He placed his backpack down. Evangeline noticed the name scrawled on the backpack.

"Lighten up. We're fighting this one together," she said. "Now, tell me. Is that him?"

"Yes," Watcher said. "Daniel is his name."

Daniel looked up from the newspaper. He looked past them. Not finding anything to focus on, he went back to reading.

"Interesting," Evangeline said. "As if he heard you say his name."

"We have seen behind the curtain to what will happen if he fails," the Watcher said, ignoring her comment. "The end will begin here."

"If I know you, you won't let that happen."

"I will fight the host of them alone if I must," he said.

"We are facing Sargas Vak," she said. "He destroyed his apprentice before I could exact retribution."

Watcher stood at the sound of Sargas Vak's name.

"He is here?!" Watcher scanned the mall roof and the tops of the lightposts.

"The one and only, she said. "Our generals will want to meet with him next."

"Sargas has walked with Death," Watcher said still scanning the area.

Evangeline hopped off the newspaper box. She glided as much as walked towards Daniel who was still reading.

"Back in the den of lions, Daniel," she said - not much louder than a whisper.

Evangeline felt a sudden chill behind her and didn't notice Daniel glance up from his paper.

The blow hit her in the chest. She collapsed. The master demon had appeared suddenly.

"Did you call on me, angel?" Sargas Vak, his dark, leathery wings outstretched, stood menacingly above Evangeline. "I hope you do not expect me to kneel."

Evangeline sat up, steadying herself with one arm firmly planted on the sidewalk. Watcher rushed to her. He squared his shoulders. Like two giant wrestlers, Watcher and Sargas Vak circled each other looking for a weakness to exploit.

"Try that on me Sargas!" Watcher shouted.

Sargas Vak roared and lunged.

"No!"

The angelic cry shattered the air with the full force of heavenly power. Sargas and Watcher crumpled to the sidewalk where they stood. Both of them tried in vain to shield their eyes and ears from the blinding, deafening pulse of light pouring from Evangeline's mouth.

"Insolent demon!" Evangeline drew a glowing sword from under her cloak. "I should destroy you here and now!"

The spiritual commotion went unseen by the people moving about in front of the mall. But Daniel looked up. Evangeline thought she saw him look towards her as if he was conscious of the spiritual realm. Then, she noticed Sargas rising.

"You will kneel before the power of the Almighty!"

Evangeline's words forced Sargas down again. Sargas strained to rise, the muscles in his arms and legs quivered.

"Look at me, demon!"

Her words forced Sargas to lift his head. Evangeline pointed her sword at him.

"Tell your master the battlefield is set," she said. "When it begins, you will feel my blade."

With a wave of her sword, Evangeline slashed the air. The cut opened, sucked Sargas in and closed once he was gone.

Evangeline helped Watcher to his feet.

"Come, my friend," she said.

"I see your love for theatrics has not diminished," Watcher said.

He noticed the large dent in Evangeline's breast plate as he rose. The tunic underneath was wet with blood. His tone changed.

"You're hurt."

Evangeline leaned on him. The sword slipped. Watcher grabbed it, wincing as smoke rose from his hand. With a grimace, he placed the sword in its scabbard. Daniel, only a few feet away, shook off the weird feeling he had just had and went back to his newspaper. Evangeline noticed.

"I must heal," she said, "but we must not be gone long. He will need our help."

This section has some significant changes from the version that made it into Book One: The Chosen Must Fall. I decided to post these so that readers can see how the story progressed from one edit to the next.

Fiction: Swift To Sin, Swift To Shed Blood

If you have missed the Mall Demons stories on Wattpad up until now, here you go. They will be a part of this blog for all to see. Yesterday I posted the story that started it all. Here is the second one. Enjoy.

Story Two in the Mall Demon Series

By Pedro Ramirez III

The young girl scanned the crowd, but could not find her older sister. She sighed.

"I've been waiting 20 minutes for her, mom!" the girl said into the cell phone.

As if prompted by her mother, Angel placed her shopping bags on the table in front of her.

"OK… Yes, the food court...next to Subway."

She sat - a look of concern and frustration on her 15-year-old face. A small bird flitted above catching her eye. The girl tracked its flight, looking through two demons perched on the scaffolding above the food court.

The master demon watched the bird fly towards the ceiling lights where he lost sight of it.

"Hmmmm. Be warned. Control your appetite," the master demon said, sniffing at the air. "Do not allow yourself to get drunk with desire."

The smaller demon was perched next to his master. The apprentice watched with his narrow, red eyes three teen girls moving down the escalator. The master noticed and growled.

"Be warned!"

The outburst startled the apprentice who jerked his gaze away from the girls.

"You are spending too much time with Lust!" the master demon said. "You have been warned... That path will lead to destruction."

Below the demons, another girl was approaching the sandwich shop. She saw her younger sister, Angel, sitting at a table.

"Where have you been?" Lily asked. "I've been looking for you."

Angel looked up at her older sister.

"No you haven't. I've been waiting right here for 20 minutes."

"What? No way!"

The demons drawn by the smell of deceit watched the sisters.

"Opportunity," the master demon said.

"We said we'd meet here. I was here," Angel said. "You're lying."

Lily sat across from Angel showing no signs of being affected by her sister's accusation.

"What did you buy?" Lily asked, changing the subject. She had the bag in hand examining the contents before Angel could react.

"Give it back!"

The blouse was from Hollister. Lily instantly fell in love with it.

"Cute!" Lily said. "Can I wear it tomorrow?"

The master demon smiled.

"A perfect opportunity," he said.

"I'm ready, master," the apprentice said.

"We shall see."

The apprentice took his cue and swooped down. He landed next to Lily and Angel.

With his master watching overhead, the apprentice went to work on Lily. He was so close to her now. His nose inches from her cheek. She was intoxicating.

"The party is tomorrow," Lily asked again. "Can I wear it?"

Lily liked nice things. She deserved nice things. The apprentice demon formed the thought in her mind.

"No, I'm wearing it," Angel said. "Besides, it's mine."

The demon deepened Lily's desire. Lily was determined to stare down her sister.

"You're not even going to the party," Lily said. 

"So, I'm still wearing it."

The demon caressed Lily's cheek. With a hungry grin, he seeded more thoughts.

"What a waste, you're just gonna wear it at home," Lily said.

For a second, Angel hesitated. A quivering frown formed. This universe, her universe, was one where Lily always got what she wanted. It was a fact Angel had resigned herself to time and time again.

Angel noticed the small bird perched high above. She looked at Lily who was staring intently at her. Angel usually averted her eyes when Lily stared, but she suddenly felt bolstered. This time, Angel held her gaze.

"C'mon, Angel. You can wear it the day after tomorrow."

"No, give it back." Angel stood up, extending her arm. "Give it back, please."

Lily realized Angel was not budging. The demon prodded her again. Lily replaced the blouse in the bag, but gave a quick tug as she did, popping a seam.

"Fine," Lily said. "Actually, I think I'd rather wear a dress."

She tossed the bag onto the table, then stood.

"I'm going to the restroom," Lily said.

Angel sat, placing the bag on her lap. She watched Lily vanish into the hall leading to the restrooms. She could not see the apprentice demon gliding behind her older sister.

Lily was in front of the restroom mirror fidgeting with her hair and mumbling.

"Don't know what the big deal is...Why she won't let me borrow the blouse."

A thought entered her mind.

"I hate her," she said into the mirror.

A sudden chill filled the air. Lily shivered. A shadow in the mirror's reflection caught her attention. She turned to the stall behind her.

"Hello?" Lily called out.

She heard a low growl that made her hold her breath. It was coming from the stall in front of her. She knew she should run, but she couldn't move.

She wanted to call out to her sister. "Angel!" She wanted to call out to anyone. But her voice was dead.

"So nice," the apprentice demon said.

Lily could hear him. He was calling to her: "So, nice. Come. Come here. You deserve nice things."

She couldn't stop her hand from reaching out. She couldn't stop it from opening the stall door. A look of horror overcame her face. The growl. The voice in her head. It was a monster.

"Hello, darling," the demon said through a sinister smile. "I am the worst of monsters."

Lily looked down to the restroom floor in front of her. She dropped her purse. She saw her feet stepping into the stall.

"No! Stop!" The words formed in her mind, but no sound came from her mouth.

"Come, my little darling."

"No! Help! Angel! Mom!"

She saw her hand close the stall door behind her. The monster was laughing a terrifying laugh. Before her world went black, Lily saw the monster lunge at her and then felt a heavy weight crush her body.

He had devoured all of her except her head when he heard the roar. The apprentice demon quickly swallowed it whole, sucking in strands of hair like they were spaghetti. The demon heard a large winged creature land in front of the restroom stall. A large black hand ripped the stall door from its hinges.

"Fool!" the master demon said.

"Forgive me master," the apprentice pleaded. "I couldn't help myself."

"Forgiveness is not for our kind," the master said. "I warned you."

Before the apprentice could utter another word, the master was upon him.

Moments later, the master demon was back on his perch on the scaffolding. Below him Angel and her mother were sitting at the table waiting for Lily. The little bird landed in front of the demon.

"Tell your master that I have executed the punishment," the master demon said.

A blinding light pulsed from the bird as it spoke.

"You know the rules, demon. They are not to be physically harmed, especially the children!"

The words caused the master demon to cringe with pain, angering him. The foes were locked in a stare down for several seconds until the demon could no longer endure the light.

"I know the rules!" the demon said. "My apprentice has paid the price for his foolish lust."

"There will not be a next time demon." With those final words, the bird flew away. The pain subsided. The demon straightened his back and stretched his leathery wings.

"Oh, you can be sure angel. There will indeed be a next time."

Chapter 5 in the Mall Demons Urban Fantasy Serial is Online

My first attempt at a teaser for Chapter 5 in the Mall Demons Urban Fantasy Serial. 


What happens now that the terms of battle have been set? Demons plan their attacks on the chosen one while Evangeline and Watcher visit Daniel to break the news. Can they prepare him for the coming war before it's too late?


Read the latest in the Mall Demons Urban Fantasy Serial. The forces of good and evil battle again. This time the fate of humanity will be decided at the mall.


OK... Let me know what you think.


Read Chapter One
Read Chapter Two
Read Chapter Three
Read Chapter Four