Happy Friday and Happy February everyone! It’s hard to believe that Valentine’s Day is just a week away. I’m not overly fond of the commercialized holiday. I just don’t believe in showering your significant other with cheesy gifts one day out of the year. I prefer spontaneity. But my husband and I do celebrate Valentine’s Day by spending time together and doing something low-key.

Since February is the month of love, today I’m going to talk about the things I love. From the romantic tropes that influenced my writing, to my favorite types of characters, and things I love to do in my free time. So, let’s grab those drinks and get started.

Romantic Tropes

Power Couples. This is my absolute favorite romantic trope to read and write. I love seeing couples who work together as a team. They’re independently strong on their own, but when they get together, they’re a force to be reckoned with. They enhance each other’s strengths and balance out each other’s flaws. With these couples, it’s all about the yin and yang.

Enemies to Lovers. Falling from hate and into love. Give me all the angst and spite. Give me the punchy one-liners and snark. And then hit me with the feels. These are the couples that can’t stand each other at first. But, as they spend time together, they realize they have more in common than they thought. They try to fight their feelings, but eventually fall down the romantic rabbit hole. They’re fun to write, fun to read, and fun to watch.

Fated Soulmates. They’re kindred spirits with an unbreakable bond, who are inexplicably drawn together – well, except for the whole fate part. They have undeniable chemistry and share a powerful connection. Their emotions and feelings run deeper than most. Sparks tend to fly and the world fades away when these two are in a room together. Not only do they have an intense physical connection, but an emotional and otherworldly one as well. They’re the ultimate power couple; the definition of stronger together than apart. What I love most about soulmates in the Luna Cove world is the connection to their past lives.

You can expect to see all of the above tropes in The Witches of Luna Cove series, plus more.

Character Tropes

The Anti-Hero. They’re the ones I love to hate and hate to love. They’re the morally grey main character who’s lacking most of the typical heroic qualities. They don’t give a damn about the rules; they make their own – at least in my world. I love reading and writing morally grey characters. They’re fun and unpredictable. I’m never quite sure what they’ll do. My favorite thing about anti-heroes is that they’re willing to do what’s necessary for the greater good – even if it means committing murder or doing other shady shit. Their intentions are good, but their actions can be immoral at times. They keep the pages turning and keep me typing.

The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing. This baddie is all good looks and charisma. They’re powerful, cunning, mysterious, and diabolical as fuck. Their outward appearances and charm have most people fooled, but underneath that pretty exterior lies some dark and twisted shit. These villains are skilled in the art of deception and manipulation. And when it comes to matchups, they’re gonna give the protagonist one hell of a fight. They never disappoint, always surprise, and keep everyone on their proverbial toes – including me.

The Nurturing Hard-Ass. This trope is all about the men. It’s not that women can’t fit this trope, because they can and do. With all the toxic alpha males we see in fiction these days, I want to focus on the ones we don’t see enough of. That’s why this hard-ass with his iron exterior and warm heart makes for one of my favorite tropes. He’s a leader, a fighter, and sometimes a killer. But when it comes to his loved ones, those steel walls come down and that hardened heart softens. Need advice? He’ll listen and share. Need help with something? No problem. Need comfort? He’ll soothe your wounds and wipe away the tears. He might be the overprotective type, but his heart and intentions are in the right place. He might be a father, husband, significant other, older brother, or guardian. Whatever the case, he enjoys taking care of his own and does a pretty good job.

Free Time

Reading. As you all know, I love to read when I have some downtime. It’s my favorite way to unwind at the end of my writing night. Pour me a glass of wine, get me a comfy blanket and a good book, and I’m set. Reading helps me decompress and gives me a bit of a break from the people living in my head. It allows me to switch gears and relax – which often results in a decent night’s sleep.

Binge-Watching My Favorite Shows. Whether it’s Netflix, HBO, or another channel, I love decompressing by bingeing one of my favorite shows. I make some popcorn, pour some wine, sit back, and relax. Some of my favorite shows are: Supernatural, The Originals, The Vampire Diaries, Lucifer, True Blood, Game of Thrones, The Office, Nurse Jackie, and Big Little Lies.

The Sims. I love playing The Sims. It’s my reward when I hit my weekly goals. I can’t control the people living in my head, but I can control my Sims.  And yes, I’m one of those people who base my Sims off the characters from my own books. Don’t judge me.

Music. I love listening to music. Sometimes there’s no better way to relax than to put on some of my favorite songs and soak in a hot tub – or just dance around the house when no one’s around.

Things I Love

Snow. I love watching the snowfall. There’s something peaceful about it. Some of my most productive writing sessions happen during snowstorms.

Rain. I love listening to the rain patter against my window. It soothes and relaxes me. Not only is rain the perfect sleeping weather, but it’s also the perfect reading and writing weather.

Bonfires. Give me some s’mores, some beer, and a nice fire and I’m set. I’m not a big nature person, but something about sitting around a fire eases my mind.

Scented Candles. I think I might be addicted to scented candles, and I think my clutter of candles might be driving my husband a bit crazy. They’re all over the house. The scents inspire me, and I often light them when I write. Too bad I go through them like water and constantly need to replace them.

People.  Last but not least, I love my family, friends, and dog. They’re the fuel behind all this fire. I wouldn’t be here without them. No words can express how grateful I am for them and their continued support.

Update

If you’ve been following me on social media, then you know that I’m neck deep in edits. The pace has been slow and steady, but I’m making decent progress. I’m giving myself more time than usual to complete this next round of edits, revisions, and rewrites. I want to make less work for myself for the next pass – which I’m hoping will be the final round before querying.

That’s all for this month. The next blog will be on March 6th.  The first character blog, featuring Nick, will be in April. I haven’t decided on the exact date, but will have it posted on next month’s blog, so stay tuned. Happy Valentine’s Day to all those who celebrate. Until next time.

Cheers,

Amelia