Raine Balkera | A Writer's Life For Me.

Romance Weekly time 😀

If you’ve joined me from the incredible Kim Handysides then welcome!

This week we’ve been asked, ‘What everyone is working on at the moment. Details & conundrums, plus five bonus points for including a wee bit of your favourite scene.’

Well, as I posted a couple of weeks ago, I’m currently working on something completely different. Still romance, still writing, still a story, just a different format for it.

My current project is called Diving in Deep, and is a visual novel, which is something like an interactive story where the reader takes on the role of the main character, choosing the decisions she can make and what her personality will be like. These decisions affect the outcome of the story and how those around her interact with her.

The story itself is about Quinn Lanton, an underwater archaeologist, who discovers (a rather handsome) merman called Merrik in the ruins she’s excavating. The meeting would be one of excitement, if it wasn’t for the fact that creepy treasure hunter, Walton Huntley, is shadowing her every move in the hopes of finding any artifacts worth selling, and she knows a merman would make his perfect prize.

Here are some example screenshots:

Example of the choices that can be made.

Example of the layout and sprites.

Depending on the personality you’ve chosen for Quinn, some options might be harder to use.

There are 6 possible endings, and a selection of choices throughout.

As for my favourite scene, well that probably has to be the moment Quinn and Merrik meet for the second time.

(Sorry for the script format, that’s how it has to be written!)

I shake my head, trying to get across the fact I’m not panicking… much.
He is a merman after all, a being that isn’t supposed to even exist except in fairytales!
Merrik: “Does that mean you’re ok?”
I nod, trying to regulate my breathing to a normal level and stem the adrenaline that courses through my system.
He breaks into a smirk, a playful glint in his eyes.
Merrik: “Good, I don’t want to have to watch out for falling rocks if you start flailing about again like yesterday.”
My awe of him quickly filters away with his snark.

The above scene is only one of the possible responses Quinn can make to Merrik in this situation.

I will say that the hardest part of writing this visual novel has been writing in first person, and in the present tense. I’ve never done that before, so it was a bit of an interesting challenge trying to ensure I didn’t slip tenses, but I managed it in the end 😀

The project will released towards the end of March (not long, I know!) and it will be FREE in the hopes a lot of people might be willing to try out this different format of storytelling if they haven’t before.

So, there you go, that’s what I’m currently working on! 😀 (Sorry for the huge post, I’m just very excited about it!)

Now, why not check out what Raine Balkera’s current project is. I guarantee it will be something worth your time! 🙂

What are you currently working on? Are there any WIP projects by others you’re excited for?

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Progress Report:

Status of visual novel: All writing done. Working on adding music and sounds.

Books read towards challenge: 3/50
Currently reading: Snow Hill by Mark Sanderson

I have been doing the Romance Weekly blog hop for some time now, and have been very privileged to join this group of incredible writers!

**The group is doing a Giveaway, which end July 9th, so you might want to pop on over and enter if you haven’t already. There are some really great prizes, including a Kindle Fire!**

The more I’ve gotten to know these writers, the more I’ve come to realise their passion for writing and also discover the incredible book why’ve written. As such, I thought it was about time they got a little introduction on my blog, along with opening up some bloggers to their works 🙂

Supporting other authors is an important part of my writing journey, so I hope you find some new books to read from these amazing writers!

So, I am pleased to introduce some of the writers of Romance Weekly:

J.R.Richardson
Bio: Writer of paranormal, murder mysteries, humor, romance . . . and anything else I can think up.
Cursed Be The Wicked– Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Goodreads
Cooper Shaw is a seasoned travel writer. When he’s sent home to Salem, Massachusetts, to cover their famous Festival of the Dead, he’s determined to avoid the ghosts from his past. Finnley Pierce is the quirky yet curiously insightful woman he meets upon his return. And she’s going to help him face those ghosts of his, whether he likes it or not.

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J.J.Devine
Bio: J.J. Devine grew up loving the written word. She spent her days daydreaming and imagining what life would be like if she lived between the pages of the books she read. Today, she still spends her days dreaming. Only now she pens them into the romance novels she enjoys writing to share with her readers.
Into the Darkness- Out July 9th!
Witches and vampires can only be found in make believe worlds, right? This is exactly what Raven thought before that fateful night when her mortal world came crashing down around her, bringing to her fingertips the fate of two very different worlds, vampires and witches.

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S.C.Mitchell
Bio: S.C.Mitchell grew up an avid reader of comic books, science fiction and fantasy literature. He’s been writing stories for over thirty years. In 2010 he left his job as a computer desktop support specialist to pursue his passion for writing full time.
Son of Thunder– Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Goodreads
The son of Thor, has a lot to live up to…and no time for love.

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Colette Cameron
Bio: Collette Cameron love’s dachshunds, the beach trivia and Cadbury Milk Chocolate. She writes historical romance with a dash of suspense and a pinch of naughty humor.
The Earl’s Enticement– Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Goodreads
Adaira Ferguson, a fiery, unconventional Scotswoman meets her match when she tangles with Roark, the oh, so proper English Earl of Clarendon. She trusts no man with the secret she protects, while having been betrayed once, he’s leery of all women.

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Sarah Hegger
Bio: Sarah Hegger is a professional butterfly, having lived in 7 different countries, 12 different homes and had countless different careers. She writes medieval and contemporary romance and is always looking for the next thing to catch her eye. And … she’s off again!
The Bride Gift– Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Goodreads
It’s England, 1153, and Empress Maude and King Stephen are not the only two locked in a battle of the sexes.

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Dani Jace
Bio: I enjoy writing headstrong, flip-flop casual heroines and everyday heroes who work with their hands―and other body parts. Claiming the Outer Banks of North Carolina as my second home, I include the scenic and legendary chain of barrier islands as a setting for many of my tales.
White Doe– Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Goodreads
Shane is shape-shifting hawk living a secret life until his first love, Cheyenne, returns to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Their erotic reunion deepens to love when he discovers her unique animal nature, but can he save her from those who seek to slay the legendary white doe?

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Raine Balkera
Bio: Writer of Romance, partial to Contemporaries but am currently working on a four-part Fantasy series.
I grew up in Michigan, need music to write, and am an amateur photographer who loves to travel.

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Susan Peterson Wisnewski
Bio: Susan Peterson Wisnewski is a mystery, thriller, and romance writer. Two books published and several in the process.
Chasing the Rainbow– Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Goodreads
Chasing the Rainbow ties romance into a twister of a plot that leaves you wondering will there ever be rainbows for Kate? The story ties romance, family, and mental illness together creating a whirlwind of action and suspense with a sprinkling of romance.