Alice: I can’t remember the exact post, but yes, the emotional driver for a scene will be related to goals and conflicts. In a short contemporary romance, you don’t have a lot of room for slow scenes with buildup. And in a Presents, the focus is ON the emotional conflict — not the external conflict, not the plot, but the characters’ reactions to what is happening to them. SO, each scene has some sort of emotional purpose to it.

Perhaps the hero is accusing the heroine of something, and she’s protesting her innocence. Or maybe the heroine is seeing beneath the armor the hero wears and realizing he isn’t as bad as she thought, that he is actually driven by his feelings about something.

It’s not the best explanation, but it’s the best way I can think of to say what I mean. I have to find what the emotional moment in each scene is, what’s driving the characters at that particular moment, and put a lot of focus on developing it and making it drive the scene. That’s basically what I meant.

It’s related to GMC, certainly, so check out Debra Dixon’s book on GMC!

Could you explain what an emotional driver is? It sounds like something I need to know about Is it related to character goal?

We lived in Germany as well and #1 son was born there too — a week before the DH’s 28th birthday. #1 son turned 30 last Friday, so now you know how old the DH is. LOL!

And I have no feelings about Claymation one way or another.

No, SP is quirky and strange. I am simply neurotic. There’s a difference

But we’re never boring…

LOL, SP, why do you think we get such delight in calling it the Burgermeister wedding? *g* Sometimes we even call it the Burgermeister Meisterburger wedding — though I figure not everyone gets that. I’m glad you do!!!

Thanks for the congrats.

And thanks PC! Sorry about the claymation thing. (SP isn’t all that strange after the above confession, huh?) Odd that claymation freaks you out. Mike and I watch at least one of the Christmas specials every year. Guess we shouldn’t invite you for a Christmas special extravaganza… *g*

You are a strange one, my dear Smarty Pants.

(And yes, Claymation freaks me out.)

As a random aside, when you said Burgermeister, I immediately think of the claymation (sorry, Kim) “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” where the evil Burgermeister Meisterburger banned toys. I know, my mind is a random place…

Happy Anniversary! Have a wonderful time celebrating your years of togetherness.

How cool that you were married in Germany. My hubby and I lived there, during which time our daughter was born. So we both share milestones and memories of special times in a special place.