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Honored to be a finalist. Good luck to all.

@anita and Terri. Just goes to show what a small world it is.

Good material Terri....Thanks......Denise

@TOM......That is so sweet.....And I totally believe it is chemistry. My husband and I are very different. I read about two books a week and I don't think he has ever even considered reading anything for pleasure. We have been in business together for years and even tho our approach is different we get the job done. You can't explain it, but after 38 years I'm still excited to hear the garage door go up and know he will be walking thru the door.

@dagnee.....Very interesting what your psychiatrist friend said....I do think tho that there isn't that much difference between men and woman when it comes to emotions. We all want to be needed and loved. Some because of past experiences or damaged childhoods might be more needy, but in the end we all want to be loved. Over the years I have come across some rough edged people, and when you wear away all their armor sometimes they are the neediest.....

When writing my characters I try to take all these things into consideration.

I am going to use the movie Titanic. I recently watched it on TV and is the clearest one of the list in my mind.

The inciting incident....................
I would say the inciting incident in this movie would be Jack winning passage on the Titanic in a card game and then saving Rose from a possible suicide. Without these two chance situations we would have no story or tension. Their meeting introduces him to a way of life he has never known, but perhaps dreams about, and her to his simple way of life. A life without so much structure and rules and a life that she might also dream about.

The conflict (both external and internal) and what category they belong to (character versus society, character versus self, etc.)..............
The conflict for both Rose and Jack are both external and internal. The external is the obvious difference in their stations in life, at a time when class mattered, and was measured quite strictly.
Also the reactions from their peers. Jack's warn him to be careful, that she will never give up what she has for him. While Rose's family's reaction is more volitile and foreboding. Her mother forbids this union as she wants Rose to marry her rich fiance to bring the family out of financial ruin. And Rose's fiance is physically violent and threatening.
So these characters are battling both character versus society, and character versus self, as they are both subject to introspection about their choices. Rose is willing to give up money and security, and even her prudent modesty (when she poses nude for him, and indulges in pe-marital sex) for his love. Jack also struggles inwardly worrying that he is not good enough for Rose, knowing that he cannot support her in the fashion she has become accustom.

An explanation of the tension in a particular scene (why do we feel tension and what techniques does the author or film-maker use to create it?)........
Of course the obvious answer is the Titanic hitting the iceberg, but the tension for these characters has started way before the climax of the iceberg. Jack has already been accused of theft by Rose's jealous fiance, and Rose's faith in Jack is temporarily shattered. This causing tension for the characters until it is revealed that the fiance set Jack up. Rose then helps Jack try to escape the authorities and that is when the ship hits the iceberg. But the tension for these two characters was created way before the iceberg or what follows. So the tension for these characters was created by causing doubt in their feelings for each other.

Anita......Hope this is what you are looking for in this lesson....Will be posting my second chapter after work tonight......Denise

As others mentioned, I also get up early. Like to write before I start my day. But for me, I would rather write than do anything else. I force myself away from the computer to go to work, or to get things done around the house.

My three children are grown and out of the house, so it is much easier now, than when they were home and younger. Then many times I would stay up till after midnight. I'm one of those lucky ppl that don't need alot of sleep (kinda find it a waste of time...lol) Also as I've mentioned before, for many years my husband and I owned restaurants and clubs, so being up after midnight comes with the territory....Now, life is much quieter, as we own liquor stores, with regular hours, and much less headache.

But writing is my first love, something I need to do. Like Janet mentioned, I too will think of things in bed or while doing something else and either jot them down, or make notes in my phone. I write or revise almost every day.....

Also totally agree with Allen. You don't need a lot of free time to write, you just need the drive. Sometimes too much time is a deficit. Altho living in the NYC area, I am looking forward to a forecasted snowstorm this week and some time at home writing....

I just enrolled yesterday and am looking forward to learning and improving my opening pages....

Tom.....So agree with this....
"I've inserted scenes in almost all of my Romance novels depicting intense love and sex between consenting adults.  I see nothing wrong with that, and I try my best to make it tasteful and certainly nothing more than what I've read what some of the more popular authors of the day put in their bestsellers.  I also see no need for gratuitous sex just for the heck of it, or to enhance a chapter I feel is lagging. Violent or illegal sex might be alluded to, but will not detail it and only use it if it is a critical turning point in the story."

Haven't read your story, but will def check it out...Mine is also romance with suspense.....romantic/suspense called Beyond Paradise....Check it out....Would love to hear your thoughts.....Denise

Welcome Michael.....This is a wonderful site with very helpful people. I am always looking for new reading and would be interested in reading your work when you post it. Would also love you to take a look at my work "Beyond Paradise" Love to hear fresh reviews and ideas on my story...Denise

Great question....I also enjoy Lori Foster and Lora Leigh, plus Sandra Brown and Nora Roberts...Nora Roberts was the first romance novel I ever read. I also love the Tea Rose collection by Jennifer Donnelly...It is a great series that starts in turn of the last century London and ends in America....Very well written with believeable characters and great storylines.....