Monday, July 15, 2013

I HEART YA: Guest Post: Balancing Action and Romance by Ruth Silver

Author Ruth Silver gives an inside look as to how she approached writing both the romance and action in her dystopian novel, ABERRANT.

When I write a story, I write what I want to read. I want to feel that I can't put the book down, or if I have to because it's late at night, that I will want to pick it up again the next day. Action is an important part of a story. The plot has to constantly move forward, your characters have to be doing something for a reason and every scene must have a purpose. The romance in Aberrant is structured specifically for a purpose.

In the world of Cabal, romance is unheard of and is non-existent. There's no need for it, because the government chooses one's spouse. Since society is unable to conceive children naturally, and the government of Cabal is oppressive, romance has vanished. Taking the element of romance away, and making it something new and forbidden to the characters of Olivia and Joshua, was a unique element to bring to the story. A lot of young adult novels throw in a bad boy or hot companion, and the girl swoons over him, falls immediately in love, and they become romantically involved. Even more novels turn the romance into a love triangle. How often as teenagers do you find yourself in a love triangle? It's fun to read, but it loses a sense of realism.


Aberrant is a different story. The romance is rooted in friendship. Joshua and Olivia have known each other since they were young children. They're best friends and when Olivia finds herself forced on the run, and must escape the only home she's ever known, Joshua goes with her. It makes sense. He doesn't follow her because he just met her, finds her attractive, or she's got him under some spell. He follows her, because he wants to. Deep down he loves her, cares about her, and wants to protect her.


Win a copy of ABERRANT by entering the giveaway on I HEART YA 2013!

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