<![CDATA[Harley Brooks, Author - September's Question]]>Thu, 13 Apr 2023 19:13:08 -0600Weebly<![CDATA[September's Question...go steady or play the field?]]>Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:18:15 GMThttp://www.harleybrooks.com/septembers-question/septembers-questiongo-steady-or-play-the-fieldPicture
So you're back in school, settling in to a routine with classes, lunch table territory established, and relationship status? Boyfriend? Girlfriend? Homecoming dance is around the corner. Going alone?

"Back in the olden days" my parents had a rule. No dating the same boy more than twice without dating someone else in between. Yeah, right. From age sixteen I found "the one" at least every couple of months. I'd date "Mr. Right" the alloted two times, then my girlfriend's boyfriend would ask me out and once around the corner and out of sight, the switch would happen. We'd reconnect about five minutes to midnight curfew and switch back. Trouble with that, a couple of times, BFF's beau thought a kiss goodnight on the porch should happen "for appearance sake." Gross! Almost. Warning. Never, ever, kiss your BFF's boyfriend...more than once. Hard lesson. New "Mr. Right" eventually dumped me and I was left with no BFF or boyfriend, and one hurt "Mr. Wrong" who made the last month of my sophmore year sheer hell.

Midway through my junior year I found another "the one" and it lasted the rest of high school. Part of me regrets not playing the field, especially my senior year, not that my boyfried wasn't great, because he really was sweet and good, but because I felt like I missed out getting to know some other great boys. Exclusive relationships keep you isolated and having "friends" of the opposite sex isn't allowed, regardless of how harmless. After high school, we parted on friendly terms and I had a blast dating for two years before I really met "the one."

Life is short. I'd love to say don't get serious with just one person, and for a lot of reasons now that I've grown up, but I think this world has gotten so crazy that teens need security, and being in a monogamous relationship feels "safe." Problem is "safe" can lead to life altering consequences if "safe" isn't practiced. My "old" opinion.

Tell me. Is it easier to just have one boyfriend/girlfriend? Or do things get complicated? What about break-ups? Is there pressure to only be with one person? Would you advise someone to date only one person through high school, or tell them to get to know a lot of people before making any heavy commitments?
]]><![CDATA[July's Question:  Describe your hero/heroine]]>Sat, 07 Jul 2012 04:03:34 GMThttp://www.harleybrooks.com/septembers-question/julys-question-describe-your-heroheroine
What connects you to a character? Looks? Personality?
When I start a story, the character walks into my thoughts as if a person walking into a room. They have distinct looks, as if real people. In "Riley's Pond," Riley is sandy haired, athletic build, but not rockstar gorgeous. He's normal - good looking, of course, but his personality is what "painted" Riley in my head. He's sarcastic, a hopeless romantic beneath a lust-crazed exterior, and the perfect boyfriend. Taylor is blond, essential to the scene that inspired the story (the chapter titled "The Pond") and pretty, but again, her mannerisms and voice molded her. She's guarded, suffered tragedy on a very personal level, but loves Riley with every cell in her body.

Now "Designer Genes" is a different. Marli, my heroine, has chestnut dark hair, long, with bright sapphire blue eyes. She's petite (fits under Jordan's chin), but her self esteem issues put the shades in her description. Jordan and Jesse, however, are melt-your-bones yummy. Their physical descriptions were so vivid in my imagination I think I actually crushed bad on them both. Twins, but not identical, Jordan has thick bronze hair - not blond or brown. His eyes were the inspiration of his character. Hazel - chameleon eyes that change with his surroundings. Jesse, his equally sexy twin brother, has dark blond hair, long, usually tethered back, with eyes the color of rich chocolate. Both tall, muscular, and fill a room with their presence when they walk in. Jordan is controlling, and Marli's stubborn personality drives him nuts. Jesse is carefree, flirty and the essence of forbidden.

"Twilight" the characters were based on physical attraction. In "The Hunger Games" the characters were personality driven.

So, when you become attached to a hero or heroine in a story, how do you describe them? Physically - by their looks, or by their personality?
]]><![CDATA[June's Question:  Favorite paranormal character?]]>Sun, 03 Jun 2012 15:37:29 GMThttp://www.harleybrooks.com/septembers-question/junes-question-favorite-paranormal-character

As an author, I'm curious about what kind of stories you get like to read.
This month's question is about paranormal characters in fiction.
What's your favorite? Vampires? Werewolves? Faeries? Ghosts? Angels?

I love stories about "fallen angels" –the bad boys who've made a mistake and are seeking redemption.
A strong heroine is needed to mend their broken wings and shine their halos.

Now tell me yours.
Yeah, I admit to being a "Twihard" fan. Team Edward, here, although the last movie had me thinking about swaying to the other side. Jacob is looking pretty yummy as he gets older.

"Twilight," or I should say Stephenie Meyers, is what awakened my desire to write. I wrote my own fourth book, finishing it before the release of the special edition of Eclipse with the first chapter glimpse. I wanted to see how close I came. It was titled "Bella & Edward...the other story."

Was I close? You tell me fans. Did "Breaking Dawn" turn out to be what you expected? Didn't matter. I was off and running with Designer Genes at that point, leaving the Twi-kids far behind.
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