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My advisor in college pushed me to take a bunch of film courses that the university was offering for the first time.
“Humm, what use would they be to me?” I thought, followed by “How difficult could these be?” All you had to do was watch a bunch of movies for three hours a week or a class to teach me how to produce one of my own. That one sounded fun so as one of my characters, Kieran, is so fond of saying. “Perfecto! Sign me up!”
What I didn’t realize was the profound effect it would have on my future writing once I had learned how most films are structured. It was a “Eureka!” moment the day I suddenly realized that many things that writing teachers warned against doing were, in fact, being executed beautifully in movies to create productions that were fast-paced, handled different points of view deftly, and told their stories an unique and exciting ways
For example, movies rarely tell the stories in a straight line. They wander all over the place which allows them to leave you hanging at one point and then finishing up in a later scene. They move from place to place with wild abandon and suck you in as you see things from many different characters’ points of view…and it all makes sense in the end.
Watch any good movie and you’ll see how well they handle multiple characters—weaving them in and out of the scrip—dropping some and coming back to them later or including others that only had brief exposures at one point but who come back strongly in another scene. Flash -and flash-backs are part of many movies and viewers take them in stride; they’re just part of film grammar that viewers have learned to accept (and love).
So when I began to write seriously, I threw away the “don’t” rules that so many writing teachers preach as part of their writing sermons and just started writing as if I were sitting down to watch a movie. My characters appear, disappear, and may reappear later in the book or maybe, even, in later books. But it all comes together in the end and more than one reader has told me that reading one of my books is it like watching a great movie.
So, I know it works…at least for me. Now I’ll admit that writing this way requires a few things that not every author may be able (or want to) to cope with. In a series, such as my Blackwood Pack series, you have to have a good feel of when to break out of one scene and into another to keep the flow going. And a good memory to keep track of everyone (and their past appearances; despite the fact that I always have access to every previous book to make sure the continuity is spot on, there are times that my editor and/or advanced readers delight in telling me that they’ve caught a little gremlin here and there and I have to squash the bugger and set things straight.
But all in all, those movie courses that I sat through were far more than just fun. They were some of the most valuable college courses I ever enrolled in. Without them I would not be able to write the way I do today.
The Blackwood Pack saga continues…
This is part of an on-going series by Amazon Bestselling Author, Mary Rundle, and catching up on previous titles is advised. Readers of the past books will enjoy meeting old friends once more as the pack does what it does best ̶ caring for one another and helping shifters everywhere.
Brian, a.k.a. “The Loch Ness Monster” has searched for his Fated Mate in vain for more than 600 years until he scents Reif in the frigid waters of the lake. But his mate seems to be purposely eluding him, so Brian turns to the Shaman of the Blackwood Pack to help find him.
Reif, one of a line of ancient shifters thought to be extinct is drawn to Brian but must focus on completing a mission to free his enslaved people from the clutches of an evil group. Despite his powerful attraction to Brian, he hides from him, believing it’s the only choice he has.
That changes when Reif surreptitiously kisses Brian while he’s sleeping, setting off a chain of events that puts both of them in mortal danger, and the powerful Blackwood pack resolves to help them stave off the wrath of vampires and witches.
Along the way, both Brian and Reif learn some hard lessons about the mutual trust necessary to achieve the happiness and fulfillment both have sought for hundreds of years.
A heartbreaking confession, an action-packed rescue, a riveting courtroom battle and many unexpected twists and turns make this passionate love story by Mary Rundle impossible to put down once you’ve read the first page.
Amazon US eBook | Amazon US Audio | Amazon UK Audio | Amazon Germany Audio | Amazon France Audio | iBooks Audio | QueeRomance Ink | Smashwords | Goodreads
Mary Rundle is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card and a “Love Queens” mug with this tour:
“Yes, my spirit told me,” replied Kieran. “Go ahead, I promise we’ll help you find him.”
“Him? Are you sure?” Brian asked.
“Yes,” Kieran said, softly.
Relieved to know that much at least, Brian began, “I was doing a back float when a passing boat’s wake carryin’ my mate’s scent washed over me. Shifting, I dove down, searching for it, but twas weak and quickly dissipated. That night, I searched again and the scent was stronger, but as I followed it, I realized twas at least an hour old. It led to the shoreline, where I shifted and climbed onto the bank, but there was nae a trace…even though I felt its presence.
“Every night, the same thing happened, even though I went into the water at different times…sometimes early, other times later, but twas always the same…except for last night,” Brian said. “After cruising the loch, I waited until the sky turned pink before I shifted and climbed aboard my boat. As I headed below, I felt someone watching me and I sensed my mate was somewhere near the marina’s buildings, but still I could nae see him.” Brian was getting agitated by this time, prompting Kieran to lay a calming hand on him.
After a few moments of silence, the sea serpent continued. “I decided to search the area lookin’ for a clue to help me figure out who he was, but could nae find anything. I know he was close by, because I again could feel his stare and sensed his presence,” Brian said, his frustration now evident. “Please Shaman, I need yer help. I dinna know why my mate is hidin’ from me, but I feel something is amiss and he needs me.”
“Of course, we’ll help you won’t we, macushla?” Kieran asked, glancing at his mate.
“My mate’s right, Brian,” answered Logan. “Our Alpha regards you as a member of the Blackwood Pack so whatever needs to be done, we’ll do.”
After hearing a chorus of ‘absolutelys’ and ‘count-me-ins’, Brian felt his sea serpent relax, confident his mate would soon be found. “Thank ye, thank ye, I canna tell ye how much I appreciate it,” Brian said, with a sigh of relief.
“So,” Logan then proposed, “I think the first thing is to figure out what shifter can swim and breathe underwater while disappearing when he’s on land. Slate, Ian, any ideas?”
“I haven’t ever heard of a shifter doing that,” answered Slate. “I could ask my research team to look into it.”
“Let’s keep that as an option but, right now, until we know what kind of shifter Brian’s mate is, I think we should keep this to ourselves,” Logan said.
“Sorry, Logan,” said Ian, “I’ve studied every shifter alive today and none of them can do both things.”
“Maybe he’s a myth,” Zane offered.
“But he’s real!” exclaimed Dakota.
“Yes, I know, but maybe we can find a myth or legend that describes a shifter who can do what Brian’s mate can,” Zane insisted. “Just like the stories that described someone like David and Daniel.”
“That’s a great idea,” Kieran said, clapping his hands.
“I’ll do a search,” said Zane.
“Do that, bro,” said Logan, “and I’ll talk to Maximus and Mystia to see if they can shed any light on this shifter.”
“Why don’t we help Brian search?” asked David.
“Yeah,” said Slate, “we can spread out on land while you’re in the loch, Brian. Why don’t we stake out the places where we know he’s left the water?”
“Macushla, we can fly over the loch to look for him,” said Kieran.
Logan nodded, then asked Brian, “Do you know if your mate is ever at the surface?”
The sea serpent thought for a moment before answering. “Canna tell. The scent was auld when I found it and parts of the trail had vanished.”
“Okay,” said Logan, “Kieran and I will fly over the loch tonight while the rest of you will be stationed at the previously known exit points. Since we don’t know what we’re dealing with, I’ll have Groose assign a couple of enforcers to each team.”
“Macushla, Brian’s mate is not a threat!” exclaimed Kieran.
“I know that babe, but he may view us as a threat. I want the enforcers along so it gives us time to explain who we are and why we’re there,” answered Logan. “Do you see anything wrong with that, Brian?”
“Naw, I’m fine with it,” Brian said.
As my books began to be translated into other languages, I also became an Amazon International Best-Selling author and then achieved the honor of becoming an Amazon All Star due to their popularity. My tenth book, Darkness Master has just been published and audible versions of the entire series are in progress.
I love the M/M paranormal genre because it gives my imagination a lot of territory in which to roam. My mind can really run wild and come up with some amazing stuff when it doesn’t have to stay inside the box.
My readers tell me they feel like they’re members of the pack as the stories unfold…as if they’re right there in the middle of the action. Others tell me it’s like watching a fast-paced movie. My writing style pulls no punches…readers love it and are always clamoring for the next book.
Stories come to me as if channeled by my characters, all of whom I love (except for a few villains). They are eager to recount their lives, loves and adventures and are not inhibited when it comes to revealing steamy, sexy details.
I currently live in the Northeast and love the beautiful change of seasons, my husband, and our quirky calico cat, though not necessarily in that order. I’m always happy to hear from my readers and can be reached through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or my website.
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