The Curse of Chapter Two! ✌🏼(Updated)

For some reason, I often have issues writing chapter two. I guess it's because there is so much drama in chapter one that it seems to kind of fall flat in comparison. Also, I'm responsible for setting up the story and introducing the characters in the first couple of chapters, and in the second chapter, I have to find a way to finish pulling it all together. 

At least, that's what I try to tell myself.

In honesty, since recording this specific YouTube video talking about the issue, I've been going out of my way to make chapter two as dynamic as the first chapter. But for some reason, I still find it hard to get on track, very much in the same way as I have difficulty getting on track before my first cup of coffee. Or maybe my second cup of coffee. It's just an awkward chapter for me, but maybe it's a personal thing. 

Is there a curse of chapter two? Maybe it's simply just a challenge. 

What is the best order to read your series? 📚 (Updated)

It was the series that wasn't meant to be a series! 🤦🏼‍♀️ However, that's fine because some of the coolest things in life happen when they aren't planned and this would be one of them.

A former Mexican narco transitions into Canadian life with family, politics, and business while holding tight to his ruthless, criminal ways. Meet Jorge Hernandez. Go HERE to watch the YouTube Playlist about this series

Starting with We’re All Animals we follow naive Chase Jacobs from small-town Alberta to the big city, where he unknowingly is employed by a group of sinister characters.

The truth slowly reveals itself in Always be a Wolf, but a horrific tragedy rocks Chase’s world, and quickly discovers that his new family will do anything for him. Anything.

Jorge Hernandez takes over as the protagonist in the third installment of the series,  The Devil is Smooth Like Honey. The beloved character is bold, blood-thirsty, and always gets what he wants because he sees no boundaries. Nothing and no one stands in his way. 

In A Devil Named Hernandez  Jorge is muscling in on the Canadian legalized pot industry but is distracted by enemies that crop up to threaten someone he loves. Do they really want to dance with the devil?

The collusion, corruption, and murder continue right through to And the Devil Will Laugh where he successfully takes over the pot industry despite a few obstacles that get in his way…but isn’t there always some collateral damage?

In The Devil May Lie,  Jorge Hernandez is groomed for Canadian politics with hopes of saving one of the major political parties after a public uproar. Will the Canadian political landscape ever be the same again? 

In The Devil and his Legacy, Jorge Hernandez starts to questions his own legacy after one of his foot soldiers is murdered. He opts for a simple life but will the simple life opt for him?

In She Was His Angel, Jorge uses his political influence to cripple his nemesis Big Pharma while simultaneously backing the incriminating docuseries Eat the Rich Before the Rich Eat You. Jorge might win the battle but can he win the war?

When a cop has the nerve to show up at his door and harass Jorge in We’re All Criminals, his fury quickly ignites. While Jorge wants to exhibit his power and publicly taunt the police, his family fears that he may have pushed too far this time.

When murmurs that a tell-all book about the former cartel leader and his ruthless, blood-thirsty ways start to surface in Psychopaths Rule the World, Jorge Hernandez is in a race against time to make sure the biography never goes to press.

When his daughter Maria steps up to someday head the familia, it is with great pride that Jorge breaks down the lessons that will secure her position in life. Giving her a glimpse into his daily activities, she quickly witnesses the stark view of the criminal mastermind at work in Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions).

Subplots, conspiracy theories, and a cast of characters that will jump off the pages.

Loyalty above all. There are no exceptions.

I like to think this series has a bit of everything; romance, suspense, murder, political corruption, comedy (although a dark comedy, to be fair), and an unexpected family connection that you wouldn't expect. This group of people believes that loyalty is the most important thing and that you make the family you want.

Why Women Rule the World (or at least, why they should) 👸🏼 (Updated)

Do women rule the world? Maybe not quite yet, but there's something to be said about a strong female character, whether it's in books, television, or movies.

I'm not saying that females have to be tough as nails all the time. I'm not even sure if that is realistic when talking about any characters, whether they are male or female. However, there's a happy medium between Cruella de Vil and Snow White. I also don't think women find soft, weak characters a fair representation of who we are as a gender.

I think it's important that females are neck and neck with male characters. They should be confident, have self-esteem and be intelligent. They should be independent and empowered. Most of all, they shouldn't feel any guilt or shame for showing strength. 

I recently watched a television show that portrays women as weak. I know that for this particular program, it makes sense and serves as more of a warning than an accurate portrayal, but it was hard to watch. It was somewhat infuriating. It's not something I could ever do as a writer. Then again, maybe this would be a good challenge for me. 

What do I learn from characters? 🤨 (Updated)

What do we learn from characters, and how does this connect with our own lives? Do I always agree with my character's decisions? Why is it important to follow along on their journey with no judgment?

Characters can teach us a lot about life. As with life, sometimes you have to let go of the wheel and let the characters take over and see where it takes you. In everyday life, it's usually a lot easier if we do the same. Not to say that you should be lying around on your couch waiting for an opportunity to come to the door, but sometimes it is better to be less controlling about your day. We often have a 'to do' list that is unreasonably long and then get discouraged when we can't check everything off. To a degree, you could say the same about characters and plots. You can't force them ahead but let them move at their speed. 

Having said that, my books tend to move very fast. Of course, they don't always go in the direction I expect. But if a character surprises me, that means that my reader will most likely be surprised too. And isn't that we all kind of want?

Characters, Characters, Characters! Why we love Awesome Characters! 😇😈 (Updated)

Is there a character that you love? It doesn't matter if it's on television or in your favorite book; is there someone that stands out and is exciting to read about or watch? Why is character development so important??

If there's one thing that stands out to me in a great book or television show, it is specific characters. In my mind, these personalities (or lack thereof...) can make or break a show. You can have awesome plot twists and terrific writing, but if you don't have characters that people connect with, it things can fall flat.

We like variety, diverse and dynamic characters. As I've said before, we love personalities that jump off the page because they seem realistic and charismatic. They're the people you want to learn more about with every chapter or, in the case of a television show, each episode.

Characters should grow, especially in a series. Just like everyday people, it seems a bit unusual to not see growth or, at the very least, a change in opinion over time. As you learn about the characters, they're often learning about themselves. Even more interestingly, the characters you're drawn to might also be telling you something about yourself.

Love, Romance and Fictional Couples ❤️ (Updated)

A romance writer, I am not. However, you will find some love connections in a few of my books, specifically my most recent series involving a group of gangster-type personalities. This may not seem like the most natural place to find a romance, but then again, isn't that what makes things a little bit more interesting?

Someone once commented that Jorge Hernandez and Paige Noël-Hernandez were the 'twisted couple' of the literary world, and I certainly can't argue with that point. The couple hooked up in The Devil is Smooth Like Honey and have continued to be together throughout the Hernandez series. The pair didn't exactly meet most conventionally (I don't want to spoil the surprise 😉) but because of their shared attraction to depravity, their connection was a natural one.

What I love about this couple is that they are equals. Both are strong, vicious, and slightly sadistic in their ways, but there is also a soft side; Paige meditates and does yoga while Jorge has a very soft spot for his children. The couple is vastly different in personality. Jorge is loud, obnoxious, and blunt, whereas Paige is quiet and calmer, however, this is why it works. They balance each other out, yet neither feels the need to change the other. Perhaps this is why people find them so endearing.

Why it's important to see through the character's eyes 👁 (Updated)

One of the aspects I like best about writing has been getting inside a character's head. I love being able to see things from their eyes. I want to understand where they are coming from and how much previous experiences affect their decisions. Human nature is fascinating. 

With characters, you have no choice but to understand and appreciate their journey. This is probably the biggest lesson I've learned from writing and one that I apply to my everyday life. When I started writing as a teenager, this was the main reason it appealed to me. I felt people didn't understand each other and that through characters, we could all open our eyes a little wider and perhaps show some compassion toward one another.

Fast forward to years later, and I think this lesson is even more relevant than ever. When we look at our world today, we see a strong disconnect, a lot of judgment, and even more so, a vast divide. One of the beautiful things about the characters I write about is that they come from many different backgrounds and experiences, and I make great efforts to show how this relates to their current situations.

Interestingly enough, real life isn't that much different if we take the time to investigate.