Fresh Fiction Blog | Ashlyn Chase | Another Scene Bites the Dust

Someone once said, a writer must be willing to kill their babies, of course. He meant some of our favorite scenes. There are times when something doesn't serve the story, doesn't move it forward, or distracts from it in some other way. That's what editors are for. They have an impartial eye, when we writers are too attached to our babies.

Here's a scene that was cut from FLIRTING UNDER A FULL MOON. It begins 5 years before our real story, and wasn't necessary, even though it introduced one of my favorite characters and explained how the setting came about.

Mother Nature paced with her hands behind her back. She whirled on Mr. Balog and narrowed her eyes.

"You're sure he's a vampire and he's opened a bar for all paranormals?"

"That's the intel I've gathered."

"Hmph. I cannot think of a stupider idea. Can you Balog?"

"No, Ma'am."

She balled her fists. "What have I told you about calling me Ma'am?"

He bowed and stepped back. "My apologies, Gaia, er, Goddess."

"That's right. Gaia or Goddess. I may be older than dirt, but you don't have to rub it in my face by calling me Ma'am."

"I'm sorry."

Gaia folded her arms. "Apology accepted. Now what are we going to do about this bar? Before the Werewolves and Vampires have a pissing contest in front of the humans."

"Pissing contest? Do you really think they'd—"

"Gaaah! It's an expression, you dimwit. Get with the lingo of your adopted land. Do you think I brought you over from Romania for nothing?"

"Yes, Goddess. I mean, no, Goddess. I mean..."

She waved away his confusion. "The paranormal beings must never reveal their supernatural status to humans. That's the only thing I demand of them." She threw her hands in the air. "Are you sure you've made that abundantly clear down there?"

"Yes, Gaia."

She sighed. "Fine. Try to talk that vampire out of his ridiculous plan."

"Yes, Ma—I mean, Gaia."

She narrowed her eyes at him again and he stood stiffly, trying not to do anything to anger the powerful Goddess.

At last she seemed satisfied. "All right. You have your orders. Now get out of my office building."

With a wave of her hand, Balog found himself in the elevator, moments before the doors opened onto the fake lobby.

There's plenty for Mother Nature to do in the finished book, and she's still one of my favorite characters. Why? Because she's the one with no filter...she says whatever she likes and nobody can do anything about it. I almost always have a character like that. In the Strange Neighbors series, it was the ghost, Chad. Reader wound up loving Chad. I hope you'll enjoy Gaia and all the other characters in this light paranormal tale of romance, humorous misadventures and occasional mayhem.

FLIRTING UNDER A FULL MOON BY ASHLYN CHASE - IN STORES APRIL 2013

Never Cry Werewolf...

Brandee has been dumped in every way possible, but by text is the last straw. That's it—she's officially done with men. Unfortunately, she's just been told her "soul mate" is the drool-worthy hottie all her friends call One-Night Nick.

Nick has been searching for true love for one hundred years. After all, werewolves mate for life, and he does not want to mess this up. As soon as he kisses Brandee, he knows she's the one. But how will he convince a woman who knows nothing of paranormals that she's about to be bound to a werewolf forever?

"A wonderful start to a very lighthearted series..." —Night Owl Reviews, 4.5 Stars, Reviewer Top Pick

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A multi-published, award winning author Ashlyn Chase specializes in characters who reinvent themselves, having reinvented herself numerous times. She has a degree in behavioral sciences and worked as a psychiatric nurse and Red Cross nurse for several years. She lives with her true-life hero husband in New Hampshire. For more information, please visit http://www.ashlynchase.com/, her Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/AuthorAshlynChase, and on Twitter https://twitter.com/GoddessAsh.

To Purchase FLIRTING UNDER A FULL MOON:

Amazon||Barnes and Noble||Books-a-Million||IndieBound||Chapters/Indigo||Discover a New Love||Sourcebooks

One commenter (US/ Canada only) will win a copy of FLIRTING UNDER A FULL MOON:

Comments

happy fun cover look, thanks for this chance
(Debbi Shaw 12:56pm April 11, 2013)

This sounds like another great read from you... hope to get my hands on it soon!
(Colleen Conklin 1:12pm April 11, 2013)

Thanks, everyone! It sounds like you've read my books before, Colleen. Thank you for letting others know you're a fan.
(Ashlyn Chase 2:11pm April 11, 2013)

Werewolves, vampires, and ghosts! Yes please!
(Amanda Beachum 2:14pm April 11, 2013)

I totally get it! It can hurt to cut certain scenes. However I
do like it when I cut others and I can hear the manuscript
sigh in relief. :)
(Brooklyn Ann 2:39pm April 11, 2013)

Wow sounds like a good read! I am looking forward to it!
(Betty Hamilton 3:00pm April 11, 2013)

Thanks for popping in, ladies!
I hope you enjoy it, Betty.
(Ashlyn Chase 3:41pm April 11, 2013)

I love your books and what we little we had of Nick before has
me very excited to get this one in my hands.
(Victoria Sloboda 4:29pm April 11, 2013)

This is definitely going on my to read list.
(Laura Gullickson 5:02pm April 11, 2013)

So eye catching! Hope to win! Looking forward to
more :)
(Brittany Savage 5:15pm April 11, 2013)

This sounds like a great book. I'd love to read it.
(Jennifer L. 5:36pm April 11, 2013)

If your cut scene is this good then the remaining scenes must be fantastic! I would love to find out!!
(Annetta Sweetko 6:04pm April 11, 2013)

What a job the editor has.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 7:02pm April 11, 2013)

HI ASH, I LOVE YOUR QUIRKY BOOKS THAT KEEP ME LAUGHING!
(Linda Bass 7:22pm April 11, 2013)

Thank you for sharing your deleted scene with us! I love those special sneak peeks. Congratulations on your new novel! Whoo! :-)
(Chelsea Brooks 7:24pm April 11, 2013)

Love the humor in your books, Ashlyn - this sounds like another great read!
(Mary C 7:41pm April 11, 2013)

Love the cover. If the story is as good as the cover, you have a winner
(Debbie Rudder 8:11pm April 11, 2013)

There's nothing like having a good laugh while reading!
(Renee Pajda 8:22pm April 11, 2013)

Sounds like a great book and one I'd love to read!!!!
(Bonnie Capuano 8:46pm April 11, 2013)

It sounds like a good story. Love the excerpt. Great cover!
(May Pau 9:01pm April 11, 2013)

This is the type of book I normally wouldn't read, but after reading your blog, and learning what the book is about, you have my utmost attention!! I can't wait to get my hands on this book, one way or the other!! The cover is masterfully done as well!! Congratulations on your latest book!! I'm sure it's just as good without that great scene in it!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:09pm April 11, 2013)

I love the humor in the dialogue. This is going to be a very interesting story to read.
(Kai Wong 9:17pm April 11, 2013)

I've got this one on the wish list!! I loved the deleted scene. I can't wait to read this one. Thanks for the chance.
(Martha Lawson 9:21pm April 11, 2013)

Thanks for having me today, Fresh Fiction! I appreciate all who visited and enjoyed my post. It really means a lot to authors.
(Ashlyn Chase 9:31pm April 11, 2013)

Ir was interesting to learn that authors have "babies." I had never seen that term used in such a situation.
(Gladys Paradowski 9:32pm April 11, 2013)

thanks for sharing! This sounds like a lot of fun! COngrats to
Ashlyn on the new release!
(Erin Fender 9:49pm April 11, 2013)

Gotta love a werewolf. :-) Thanks for a chance to win.
Happy Spring!
(Gail Siuba 10:38pm April 11, 2013)

Thank you for this chance. The books sounds Great.
(Holly Vanderhule 10:40pm April 11, 2013)

can't wait to read and i love the cover!!! thanks for the chance to win!!
(Jennifer Beck 11:05pm April 11, 2013)

Have not had the opportunity to read your books yet, but they sound exciting!
(C Culp 6:32am April 12, 2013)

You're right about that's why we have editors - mainly they say that the author has spent too long setting a scene up and should just jump into the action, especially at the start of the tale. But maybe the lost material can be re-used in another book or short story. Don't dump anything! Love the interesting, quirky style and characters, I hope you do well with this one.
(Clare O'Beara 7:52am April 12, 2013)

Enjoy werewolf books....this looks like a great one!! Can't wait to read it!
(Rich Cook 5:53pm April 12, 2013)

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