Finer details make a difference.

My sister went and saw my brother's Aids quilt. Finally they told her where it was displayed.  She was able to see the finer detail of my brother's quilt.  We had both only see photos that my cousin took before, so were unaware of  the finer detail. (or perhaps I had forgotten)
For example, I didn't know that my sister and I were mentioned in the cloud next to the rainbow.  Or that his partner's name is stitched on the flag at the top of the sailboat. Or that the tree had *Uncle Eric* stitched on it. He was close to his partner's niece and nephew, but he was  also very proud of being a proper uncle to my son. He died before I became pregant with my daughter or indeed before my sister married, but he would have adored all his nieces and nephews.
It is the finer detail that makes the quilt. My brother would not have necessarily approved of the fabric choice but he would have approved of the sentiment and in the end, the sentiment is the most important thing.

The same is true for writing. It is the little details that bring a story to life. It helps to create the awe moment. Or the little bit that you remember. Or the bit that brings a character to life.

My editor had given me her thoughts on my latest Viking. Some work needs to be done, but I needed her eye to see it. She is right in her assessment and it goes straight to the finer detail.

Now comes the hard part -- the writing of the full. But I need to remember the detail makes it.

How old is the bra?

A recent find in an Austrian castle is aparently set to rewrite fashion history. Basically they have discovered two bras and a couple of pairs of skimpy string briefs which date from pre 1480 when the castle was extended. Prior to this the earliest date for a bra was the early 18th century, according to the article.

However, if you know your Roman mosiacs, you will know about the bikini mosiacs in Sicily. Roman women were certainly wearing garments which were skimpy!
It does make sense that women wore skimpy briefs, particularly at the TOM when they had a need for padding.  less washing and less potential for mess. As fashion history did not become popular/a serious object for study until the mid 20th century (the main driver was the movie industry), and mostly intimate garments were tossed rather than preserved, it makes sense that we do have a huge gap in our knowledge. People would not be comfortable talking about the subject, particularly in eras when even a glimpse of an ankle was shocking, so why would they keep those types of garments?
With bras, or over the shoulder suport, again it doesn't surprise me. Women are practical. I suspect over the centuries many different forms of suport were used. If you look at the history of undergarments in the late 19th century and early 20 th century (the sample size is large), the sort of undergarment required is dictated by the shape the woman wished to have. If you have a decollete with off the shoulder sleeves, you are going to need under the bust support, for example. The shape of the bust has changed as well. The pigeon breast of the 1890s and Edwardian age gave way to the flatness of the Flapper and eventually you get the pointed bras of the 1950s.
You can see the shape women have today is dictated to a certain extent by spanx and other support clothing.
The bra comes into its own with the advent of elastic. To make a correct fitting and comfortable bra without elastic is a highly technical job. Far easier to push them up sort of thing.
But it is one of those things, we can only have an educated guess about what Viking women or medieval women wore under thier clothes.
I also suspect that if I suddenly have my  Viking heroines wearing bras and skimpy briefs all the time, readers will complain or be drawn out of the story.  But it is something to be aware of certainly.

Hattie Wilkinson Meets her Match blurb

My editor sent through the blurb for my November release:
WHEN OPPOSITES ATTRACT…!


In the eyes of the ton Hattie Wilkinson is a respectable widow, content with her safe, if somewhat modest life.


On the other hand Sir Christopher Foxton prides himself on being regarded as one of London’s most notorious rakes, with a particularly mischievous streak!


Upon their first meeting Kit threatens to shatter Hattie’s well-ordered peace—and her reputation!—if only she’ll allow herself to succumb to his playful advances. This time they’ve both finally met their match…


I also discovered that Richard and Sophie are pencilled in for a April 13 release. The Viking which was accepted in January is being held until the 2nd half of 2013 because it makes more sense  to release it after Richard and Sophie as I shall be doing Vikings here on out for Harlequin.

Buckfast bees arrive

My youngest's birthday present emitting a continual buzzing and occassional annoyed buzz is currently sitting in my study, wating for the rain to stop. They were in the hallway but I decided, there was less likelihood of accident if they were removed to my study. Accidents at this stage are devotedly to be avoided!
A nucleus of Buckfast bees from Fragile planet.came via the post.
The postman delivered them very gingerly and scurried off after he got my signature. He warned me NOT to open the package inside.
As luck would have it, my youngest is off in the Lakes  so it fall to me to get them settled in their new home. I suspect they have some feed. The Queen is currently caged but by the time I release them, the bees should have eaten through the candy to her.
They need to sit with the entrance untaped for 24 hours (or so) next to the hive which will become thier home. Then provided tomorrow evening is dry, I can move the frames into the hive and feed them with a sugar syrup solution. All perfectly straight forward (provided the rain stops!).
Right now though, I have a buzzing in my ears. I know they can't escape but the possibility is rather unnerving.
UPDATE:
The rain stopped. I carried the bees down to the bee garden, loosened the top of the box so I can get the frames out tomorrow evening. Unblocked the entrance and the bees poured out. Slightly unnerving so I was pleased I had my bee suit on. Still stage one is done. Tomrrow evening (provided it is dry) will be stage 2  -- moving the frames to the brood box, feeding and then closing up.
Fingers crossed here.

Volunteering and the YHA

My daughter left today for a four week stint at the Wastwater Youth Hostel as a volunteer. She has taken advantage of the YHA's student placement scheme. She gets valauble work experience plus room and board in one of the prettier YHA locations. She will be doing a wide variety of jobs (general skivvy I think but there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!) It will get her out of the house this summer. She learnt about the scheme through her university.
The YHA run a wide variety of volunteering programmes. You can read about them here.  Student placments tend to last 4 - 8 weeks, but shorter stints are available.
I hope she has a great time and learns a lot about herself as well as what goes into making a venture like that a success.

Tracy Anderson Method Day 241

Today was the start of C1.2 L7 (day 242 of Meta) or the level affectionately known as shock and ow! Lots of twisting of hips. I can do the exercises but I was bathed in fairy dust. The plank at the end is easier in ways than the kick and rollup to a higher kick plank of the last level.  You have to hand it to Tracy. She keeps coming up new ways to challenge your muscles.
The twisting of the hips will be in part to loosen the hip flexors. Many people have tight hip flexors. This in turn leads to a sway back and a pooch for a stomach. Good posture can make you look far better than you might think. It puts less pressure on your lower back. Even just stretching your hip flexors can help with posture.
I am hoping that that this level will really start attacking the remains of my love handles etc.
Resculpting your body does take time and there are still lumps and bumps that I don't like.
I know this is my persistently critical self talking but at least I feel like I am being proactive in combatting it.


I am over at Cheryl St John's blog today to help her celebrate 7 years of  blogging and 40 years of marriage! Cheryl is a fellow Historical author whose books I loved before I was published. She writes characters who entwined themselves about your heart strings. I am giving away a signed copy of His UNsuitable Viscountess to one person who comments on that blog as part of the celebrations.

The grand prize winner of the HH Summer Beach bag giveaway has been drawn. Kathryn M. She has been notified and all the authors are hoping that she gets in touch soon because they want to send the grand prize out!

Winner for A Taste of Northumbrian Summer Gift box 2012

I drew the winner this morning Susie K -- and she has been notified.
Many thanks to all who entered.

I do need to do a newsletter which will have another giveaway and I will be visiting a number of blogs in the coming weeks, plus there is the Goodreads giveaway so there are more chances to win a signed copy BEFORE  His Unsuitable Viscountess is officially published. If you can't wait, both Harlequin.com and Millsandboon.co.uk will be selling print and ebook copies starting on 1 July. The kindle and Nook versions won't be availabe until 1 August.

In other news:
We had a tremendous thunder storm yesterday afternoon. The Tyne Bridge got hit by lightening. Search -- youtube lightening strike tyne bridge as several people captured the dramatic incident.
The A69 was closed for a time.  Hopefully the rain will stop soon.
My youngest long await Buckfast bee colony will now not be delivered until the 10th as the weather has been too extreme and the colonies are not building the way they want them too.

The AIDS quilt and my family

Yesterday my sister went to the Mall in Washington DC to see if she could find my brother's panel.
My brother died of AIDS in 1992 (hard to believe it has been nearly 20 years). He was 30.
AIDS was not a fashionable illness then, anything but. People I knew told me that I would never have to speak of him and that I shouldn't tell my children about him. (I declined to take their advice btw) It was before various celebrities became involved and started championing it. It was before Tom Hanks was in Philadelaphia.Before Freddie Mercury died.  Before many things.
Eric was the first person really to listen to my stories  and always knew that I would become a writer.  He believed in my ability long before I had the courage to write my stories down.
I don't speak about him often as it is an old wound and private. Like any relationship, we had ups and downs but he was my older brother and I loved him.  Besides they don't tattoo things like that on your forehead and I hated seeing pity in people's eyes or having to explain or... Plus I know he would want me to live my life to the full and in order to do that you do have to put your past behind you. You have to live in the moment.
I have not seen the panel as it was done by friends of my brother.   My mother adores sewing. It is something she has always done but she felt these friends needed to make the panel more.She knew that my sister, her and me would carry Eric in our hearts. (My father died shortly before my brother found out he was ill).
My brother's panel is not out on the Mall  but will be displayed somewhere in Washington later this summer. The quilt is way too big to be displayed all in one place any more. The last time was 1996. I know my sister will find it and honour our brother.
My sister was interviewed about the quilt by National Public Radio for All Things Considered. When I listened, I started crying. You can listen here. It takes a couple of minutes. I am very pleased and proud that my sister consented to be interviewed.
It is good that there is a quilt and people can look at it and see the toll and very real human cost of this disease. They can also see that people who died of this terrible disease were more than just names but living beings with interests and families and friends who loved them.
If you happen to see the AIDS quilt panel 3602, that is my brother Eric Phifer's -- just know that he was loved. He had huge potential and it was very much a life cut short. Which is all you can really say about most of the victims of AIDS.

Goodreads giveaway for His Unsuitable Viscountess

Goodreads Book Giveaway

His Unsuitable Viscountess

by Michelle Styles

Giveaway ends July 28, 2012.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

I am also giving away 5 copies of His Unsuitable viscountess through Goodreads.

My authors copies have just arrived!

HH Summer Beachbag Giveaway

Today is my day and the prize is a Taste of Northumbrian Summer 2012. (Will there be a summer this year I have to wonder? All it seems to have done is rain and rain some more. )  The box includes my latest His Unsuitable Viscountess (suitable reading even on rainy days  -- to published in August but I am sending one of my author copies) a tea towel with UK bunting on it (after we have had the Jubilee and there is the Olympics to look forward to!), biscuits, a  Jubilee mug (which my daughter actually approves of!) and some fruit tea. (total retail value £25)
All entries will go forward to the Grand prize draw of a Kindle fire (or top Kindle in your country). The grand prize draw takes place on 29 June and the winner of my Taste of a Northumbrian Summer will be drawn then as well.

To enter send the answer to the following question:
In what year does His Unsuitable Viscountess take place? Hint read the excerpt (if it doesn't load try this as an alternative)
to:
contest@michellestyles.co.uk
Void where prohibited.

Do major secondary characters need character arcs

Laura C asked a question in the comments about what happens when the heroine is the protagonist and hero rather than operating as a co-protagonists operates as a major secondary. Does he have to have a character arc?

I would argue that if two characters are involved in a life changing romance, both of them had best change. If the hero is acting as a major secondary, he might not have as dramatic curve but he will have a character arc. If he can successfully take part in the final climatic scene at the end of the story as the same person he was at the beginning, you don't have a story. Any time you are involved in an emotional relationship, you are changed in some fashion.
Perfection in a character is boring. Imperfection makes more interesting characters. What is your secondary's flaw? What are his fears? Why can't he be with the heroine at the start? What lesson is he going to learn from her?  How are you goign to show that he has learnt the lesson and is worthy of the changed heroine's love?

If you look at Romancing the Stone, Jack does change through out the story. He wants to become a better man. He doesn't steal the map from Joan. He is no longer involved simply for the money. He is not the main POV character but he does change and he does decide to invite Joan onto his yacht or rather to share the adventure of his life. He needs her in his life.
Joan has changed the most but Jack has also changed.

If you look at Casablanca, Rick changes the most but Ilsa also changes.  They both in their own ways put Paris from them and then have been able to recapture that.

The amount of change a character has to go through depends on the character. the protagonist of a story should always go through the most change, but if it is a romance which forms the spine of the story, then both characters should change. Or otherwise what is preventing the non changing character from having his or her HEA?  The change can be small. It may be that the character learns they need the protagonist in their life to be complete bu they should change.

I hope this makes sense.

Foxes and ducks

The fox had two more ducks when I was away. This has meant a frenzy of activity in the garden. We are trying to make the fox wary.
The ducks have stopped their Late Night Party activities and are being sensible ducks. They are now going to bed before the hens. Amazing.
2 ducks are now sitting on nests. Unfortunately not in the duck houses...they have chosen spots close to the house where their scent should be confused with dog and people. I am hopeful. It all depends if they are good sitters or not. The one who has been sitting the longest has a good track record. But will she outwit the fox?
It would be good to get yellow ducklings as all of our white ducks have now been fox food.

The other plus side is the garden is looking much tidier.

Unfortunately it means I have not been doing as much work on my current ms as I would like. It will get there. It is hard to totally redo a manuscript and kill your darlings (ie phrases you really like but are no longer working)
I have also been thinking about my next Viking. I think I know what I want to write. I am beginning to get a handle on the motiviations and theme. Always good.

The Harlequin Historical Summer Beachbag giveaway continues. It is Terri Brisbin's day today.

The Gladiator's Honor is an ebook

It totally went under my radar until now  but Harlequin released The Gladiator's Honor as an ebook awhile ago. It is not available in the UK as an ebook, but in the US, it is. Anyway, it made me happy.

You can get it from Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Harlequin.com or any ebook supplier.

I am at the Pink Heart Society talking about Berlin (with more pictures) today.

More Berlin

Here are a couple more photos that readers took. It was after the signing.

I forgot to say that the lovely ladies from Realm on Our Bookshelves brought me a really sweet present -- a little delft figurine and some chocolate. The figurine now sits on the mantelpiece in my study. And another lady gave me a stuffed alligator or maybe it was a crocodile.  Anyway, it was the people who made this conference and the readers had such big hearts. There was just such a great atmosphere that I am still in awe of it.
I am planning on going next year and have asked if I can do a workshop -- maybe something to do with Vikings. Fingers crossed.

I have finished reading the The Hunger Games trilogy and now need to see the movie. I started reading it to relax from the conference and couldn't stop! I simply inhaled all three books. I do like those sorts of books. It was just really fun.  And of course because I was reading on a kindle, I couldn't flip to the end and see. I did cry during Mockingjay. I love the whole real or not real and always. Luckily my eldest has arrived home and he has read them all. I can discuss them with him. I shall get my daughter to read the books as well...

However, reading about Katniss and Peeta is not getting my book written. I need to get it done so I can start the Viking on 1 July. I know the characters for the Viking btw. The hero is very determined about his name as is the heroine. Two strong willed characters are good in theory. In practice, the writing can get tough.  But I am starting to play around with the theme. Dara Marks made some interesting observations and I think it makes sense to me now why Shackled went through with so few revisions. It has to do with getting the theme right and making the conflict wedded to the theme. But this one is going to be an experiment to see if I am right.

Love Letter Conference recap

When I went to Berlin and the Loveletter magazin conference, I am not sure what I expected. What  I hand not realised was how warm, generous and open hearted the mainly German readers were.
It was crazy but oh so much fun.

My experience started with a botched manicure. A trainee asked me in the departure lounge if I wanted one. I chose scarlet. It look beautiful. Unfortunately she told me her mother was a M&B fanatic and I dove into my bag for a book, forgetting I had wet nails. Smudging resulted. No time to repair. I tried to remove it. My nails were lightly stained scarlet for the rest of the journey.
Spandau where the conference was held is lovely. It escaped bombing during WW2 and traces of the medieval city remain. My hotel was clean, functional and ideally placed -- right between the conference centre and where the gala dinner was held on Saturday night.
I walked about on Friday evening, soaking in the atmosphere.

At Saturday morning breakfast, I encountered a very lovely German translator. She does the translations for Sherry Thomas, Courtney Milan and a number of other historical authors. It was really interesting to hear how she tries to get the word play right  etc.
I then walked to the conference centre and encountered my friends from realms on Our Booksheleves. they have done reviews of my books in the past and I was so pleased to finally meet all of them in person. They are so much fun. After chatting with them, I went straight to work. First up a historical panel with Maya Banks and Lara Adrian. Sandy Schwab whom I've known online for years did the moderating as she speaks both German and English. We spoke about how we individually approach doing research. Both Maya and Lara only write medieval whereas I write in a number of time periods. The hall was packed. I also met a Cora editor (Bettina) whom I seen at breakfast who was very nice.
Unfortunately Cora editorial director was ill and so was not at the conference. She was supposed to do the next panel with Maya, Nalini Singh and me on series romance. Luckily I have done enough talks on HMB for libraries that talking about series and the HMB history did not bother me.  Bettina joined in from the audience and helped out. It was interesting to learn about the differences between some of the markets. Some things I already knew -- for example cowboys are not popular heroes in Europe. They are hugely popular in the US. Harlequin buys with a worldwide audience in mind and some books are more suitable to one market than another but there is always a broad range of books.
After that it was time for my first blind date. I had worried about these beforehand but should have saved my energy. The women were so totally lovely. I passed out some of my books and we just chatted. Several were real Downton Abbey fans and are totally excited about the upcoming continuity from HMB.

After that, it got crazy for awhile as people wanted me to sign their catalogues and kept coming up to talk to me about my shoes. Books and shoes were two recurring themes of my conference.
There was a v formal presentation from the Cora marketing people and it was amusing
I did a reading late in the day and again the small group was utterly charming.
Dinner was at the Zitadelle Cellars. The food was fantastic and company divine.
Sunday started with a panel on trends. I think the published authors were all of the same mind -- the only true trend is to write a story that engages the reader. If you hook thoroughly hook your reader and create a page turning read, you will find an audience. It is best to write with your heart.
Again a blind date where I met some lovely ladies. Later I played a favourite German word game -- City, Country, River where I met more wonderful readers.
My last duty was to sign books and my goodness did I sign. 140 books in little over an hour, plus bags, photographs, laminated covers including a cover of The Perfect Concubine.
After it was all over, I walked back to the hotel with another author. I thought I'd call home and have a bit of a rest before supper. I spoke to my husband and son, put the phone down, closed my eyes and woke up at 2 am  so no supper for me.
The thing which will linger long in my memory is the warmth and friendliness of the attendees. It was just so inspiring to see all these women (and a few men!) who love romance books.
I can't wait to go again next year. Kris Alice Hohls has promised another conference and I am so there. It was just a wonderful experience and I am so glad I went.

Harlequin Historical Summer Beach Bag Giveaway

It's vacation season and excitement mounts as that long-awaited time at the beach approaches. To add to your anticipation, some Harlequin Historical authors are offering a bevy of prizes to fill your beach bag with fun items (and BOOKS of course!) for that relaxation time. Each participating author will have an activity planned on their website for their special day. You may be asked to comment on a blog, do a scavenger hunt, or visit a Facebook page. For each day you participate, your name will be entered into the Grand Prize drawing.

Foxes and bees

The trouble with late night party ducks is that unlike sensible chickens, they like to stay out late. They also quack, alerting any fox in the neighbourhood who then decides to drop into the party...unvited. We unfortunately had a visit from arather large dog fox the other day. The upshot was the very pretty white duck who had unwisely decided to make a nest in the bee garden was eaten, along with her eggs.
We are now down to 11 ducks. The little brown duck who has successfully reared ducklings in the past and is a Good Mother has started a nest close to the greenhouse. Given how often the dogs and people walk along that path, I would be surprised if the fox bothered her.

The bees have been a problem this Spring. At first they seemed to be doing well but were a small colony. Then in the cold April, they appeared to have subcumbed to a bee virus. Small colonies can have this problem. Because of the cold and damp we had not given the usual Spring tonic of apiguard. They were varroa free last autumn when inspected by the Bee Inspector. My son had treated for vrroa just in case in the autumn.
My youngest swore there were no bees left or maybe a small cluster which wasn't viable as he could not find the queen and there was no brood.
I duly ordered a Buckfast queen and her courtiers from Fragile Plant (to arrive early July). My youngest wanted it for his birthday and for a long time both my husband and I have hankered after a Buckfast strain of bees. Buckfast bees were originally bread by Brother Adam, one of the huge star of late 20th century British beekeeping. Besides the garden feels better with bees.
Because of the fox incident, I decided to clean up the bee garden as we no longer had bees. When bees are in reisdence, it is always a very quick in and out as I dislike getting stung.  The first day, I noticed one or two but my son swore they were the last remenants. Indeed a day or so later I was able to weed stright up to the hive and was a bit sad as the garden doesn't seem right.
On Friday, I decided to do a bit more weeding. Two bees flew warningly over my head, coming straight from what I presumed was an empty hive. Scouts Guard bees? I beat a hasty retreat. You can by the sound of the buzz what is happening with the bees.
My son swore that there could not be bees there and perhaps it had been some other colony robbing the hive. Because of his exams, he had not gotten around to cleaning up the hive and taking it away.
I went out on Saturday morning. Many more bees and much activity. I stood and watched for awhile, the bees appeared to be taking pollen in. My son swore I was seeing things and even when robbing bees will sometimes have pollen on their legs. Late that evening a few bees remained, guarding the entrance way.
On Sunday, more bees behaving precisely like bees behave around their hive. The bees are a bit lighter in colour than our old bees and the weather has been perfect for swarming. I suspect we have had a swarm take up residence in the empty hive. Because it is May, it will be a large swarm.
Fingers crossed that the bees don't catch the same virus and that they stay.
I also have the Buckfast queen and her courtiers to look forward to in early July.
It is just good to have bees in the garden but the bee garden will remain half weeded!

One way to tell if you have a successful character arc

There is a very good way to tell if you have a successful character arc for your main character.
Look at the first scene, look at the climatic scene. Did your character possess all the skills to be able to successfully complete the climatic scene in the first scene?  Or would she have failed spectacularly? How did she have to change/transform ? What was it necessary for her to learn? If she doesn't have to transform or change, you don't have a character arc.
In a romance, particularly a series romance that transformation must be directly influenced by the hero. In other words, the main agent for change for the heroine will have been her growing relationship with the hero. If she changes for some other reason, it is probably a story with romantic elements, rather than a romance.

The Tracy Anderson Method Continuity: Day 207

Today is one of those days where I had to force myself to workout. I woke up tired and with a headache. C1.2 is not an easy level. I can do about 25 reps of the collasping arm plank and then take a 2 sec break before getting to 30. There is no way I want to do 40 reps. All the other leg exercises I can do 40 reps with. the last one goes on and on so I do 80. My supporting leg aches at  the end.  I have not added the ankle weights as the thought of doing it with ankle weights makes me want to cry.
I did the workout including hte Dance Cardio for 60 minutes, sweated buckets and then had to go back to bed for a couple of hours. I suspect I might be getting ill. I am currently hoping that I sweated enough so that any illness will be short lived.
I have also had some beet root and pear juice as it is supposed to boast your immune system.
I am still slightly in awe of the fact that I actually like beet root juice.

Backstory and The Ghost

Not all backstory is created equal. It is something I have muttered under my breath many times at a variety of workshops, particularly those which have you quickly create two characters. Simply filling out a generic character worksheet will not necessarily help you get to the heart of the problem for the character. You can risk creating a Frankenstien character. Equally doing character interviews etc, do not always work. Characters can be good at hiding what is important.
What you are trying to find out is not the backstory that gives the character shape but the emotional would which propels the character through the story. Iglesias uses the term -- The Ghost. And that emotional wound is definately the Elephant in the Room which your protagonist is going to use all sort of lengths to avoid. It can take time to tease it out. I have been known to do extensive revisions because I incorrectly identified the emotional wound.
Iglesias use Rick from Casablanca as an example. The ghost from his past which is driving him is Ilse and in particular her abandonment of him at the Paris railway station. It could make you ask -- did he have abandonment issues long before? Why does he leap to the conclusion that she has callously rejected him, rather than going and seeking her out after he gets her note? But I digress here.
The other aspects of Rick's backstory -- American, former gun runner, bar owner etc do not drive the story in the same way that his former relationship with Ilse drives that story.
In order to grow and change, Rick needs to lay that Ghost to rest. Otherwise he is doomed to failure.

The thing you always need to remember is that if your protagonist could successfully accomplish the climatic scene in your story at the very beginning, you do not have a character arc and therefore you don't have a character driven story.
You also need to make sure it is the correct emotional wound. Pick the wrong emotional wound and your story goes off in a totally unexpected direction. The emotional wound must be directly related to the theme of the story.
You also need to decide IF you have a protagonist or co-protagonists. It makes a difference to the way you develop the character arcs.

Having devoured Writing for Emotional Impact, I am now devouring Dara Mark's Inside Story --The Power of Transformation. The books are highly complimentary. One deals with getting the emotion on the page. The other deals with structure and understanding how the character arc must effect that structure.  I will deal with some of my insights later. Basically all this is confirming what I had thought about my  R'ed ms and is showing me how to fix it.
I am doing something slightly different this time and will see if it works. Often I find it is great to discuss theory or pick apart movies/books to find the turning points to suit various methods, but it is another thing ENTIRELY to actually write a manuscript. It is all about mastering craft.