NaNo Day 1:
SS-2—0 words

“Why do you write?”

I think that’s a question some writers struggle with answering in their own minds as much as they do answering it when someone else poses it.

The responses run the gamut from a shrug and an “I don’t know, I just do,” to, “I’m a writer; I have to write” to, “the characters won’t let me sleep.” I’m not making fun, here. I believe those are all honest answers. I know writers who get fidgety if they can’t let the words flow. I know others who say it’s a job, and has to be treated as such – but still feel over the moon after writing a tight scene or solving the crime or reuniting lost lovers.

My reasons for writing are entirely selfish. Well, not entirely – I’m more than happy to let readers in on the game, too.

It’s the vicarious thrill.

There, I’ve said it. And you know it’s true.

Who hasn’t imagined themselves as one character or another? Wanted to be Harry Potter, one day a normal kid, the next a magical defender against the ultimate evil. Or Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum, who gets to eat junk all day, try to chase bad guys, and be faced with the tough decision of cuddling up with Ranger or Morelli. (Forget choosing, I say – go with both!) Or be Linda Howard’s Cate Nightingale from Cover of Night, a widowed mother of two who makes the sexy town handyman stutter with lust and love.

That’s the whole point of reading a great book – the escapism of imaging yourself as someone else, somewhere else, doing something else.

I write because it puts me in charge of the fantasy.

I’m not supermom, but I can write a character who manages to start a business, attend soccer practice, make home-cooked meals and win the love of a rock star.

I’ve never been a dancer – think more Elaine’s weird dance from Seinfeld – but one of my characters can seduce the pants off the man in her life, and take to the wild side while she’s doing it.

And no way am I a soldier on a world far, far away, but my heroine can kick asses, take names and win the love of not one good man, but two.

Now there’s living vicariously.

* * * * *

Available now from Samhain Publishing: Three Wicked Wishes

“What is your deepest, most secret, most treasured desire?”

Cassie Parker doesn’t know either when the exotic woman who materialized in her living room asks. One minute, she’s enjoying wine – a lot of wine – over reruns of I Dream of Jeannie, the next – poof! When she wakes the next morning, hung over and late for work, Cassie is convinced it was all a dream.

Until the real dreams begin. Involving David Michalek, her boss, so sexy in his Clark Kent-Superman kind of way.

David, as triumphant knight to her fair lady.

David, but two of him, as the sensual twin club owners who ask her to judge a most intimate contest.

David, this time in triplicate, the consorts of a galactic princess.

David, the man she’s fallen deeply, passionately, impossibly in love with.

And he doesn’t have a clue.

What’s a girl to do?

Too bad it’s just a dream. Or is it?

Find me at:
Website: RainaJames.com
On Twitter: @RainaJames
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/raina.james.77