As I sit here, mulling over in my mind of how to put what I do into words, I cannot help but feel a tightening in my chest at wondering if I can make this both an informative and entertaining experience for you, without letting it out that for the most part, I have no magic formula for writing my books...oops, I skipped ahead. Dang, I hate spoilers. Okay, so, without any further ado, let's get going!
1) What am I working on?
Wow, where do I begin? I have so many projects going on at the present time. Okay, well first I recently finished the first round of edits on Lisa Vandiver's book Mystic Mist, which is the first book in her New Breed Series. I have to say that it is a great book, and I know that it will be well received by the readers once she makes it available. You know it's a good book when the editor keeps getting lost in the story. LOL
Second on my to-do list is my book, Hellfire's Judgement. I had first published this book as a short story a couple of years ago, but the readers seem to feel that they want more. So, after some thought on it, I pulled it off the virtual shelf and dove in. I must say that I am enjoying revisiting the characters in this story, in spite of the difficult subject matter. I am looking forward to the day I am able to re-introduce everyone to Clay and his family.
My other exciting project is my first attempt at horror. It's a different type of book for me, but I am having a blast with it. The title is "4" - A Cursed Bloodline will forever live in fear. It is the story of a vengeful spirit, that rains down horror on the family of the man who murdered is wife and three children. This book has taken me to a dark place that I have never been before, and I have to say that I find myself enjoying my time with this character.
I have a few other projects brewing around in my mind, but I'll save those for a later time.
2) How does my work differ from others in its genre?
Now, this is a tough question. How does one answer this question without seeming as though they are bragging or just making something up so as not to sound foolish? Hmmm, let me think a moment....
I guess the best way to tell you how my work is different from others is very simple, I wrote it. There, I said it, whew! I have never compared myself to other writers because we all have our own talent, vision of what a story should have, and our own personalities which come across in how a story is developed. However, if you must know what I think the difference is, I don't follow the rules. I know there are certain formulas we are supposed to follow, but I find that boring. I like to follow the characters lead, and if that means I don't follow the normal way a story should be structured, well then, I will march to my own drummer. I have decided that my books are those that a reader will really enjoy, or think is a complete disaster. No grey area for me, but that is how I am in my life, so it only makes sense to find that same feeling in my books.
3) Why do I write what I write?
This one is easy. I write what I write because the VOICES make me, and my muse, who is also my husband, seems to think up the most deliciously dark stories. I guess that writing has released the dark force living deep inside of me. Yeah, I know, it surprises me as well. LOL
4) How does my writing process work?
Dang, now we are at this question. I know that authors all have their special rituals for writing. Some listen to their favorite head-banger music, and others need something soft and soothing playing in the back ground. Some have boards hanging on the wall, with plot notes attached all over the place, while others have a complete plot layout to work off. Now, I'm not that organized. While I do have a word document with simple notes and characters names, for the most part, I write by the seat of my pants. I tried doing the plot outlines, but the voices NEVER behave. If you ever want to think that you have gone completely insane, try having an argument with a character in your mind if you are trying to take it in a direction that it doesn't want to go...been there, done that.
Therefore, I have surrendered to the characters as they tell me THEIR story. I write what they tell me, and I never try to force them to a place that they do not want to go. I have often wondered if people who have multiple personalities are just authors who never knew it. LOL
I have to laugh when people learn that I'm an author, and then act as though I have some mystical power with the written word. I tell them that everyone has a writer inside of them, they just have to listen to the voices. So, if you want to know my process, it's as simple as sitting in my chair, wearing my comfortable slippers, and typing on my worn-out laptop. Nothing fancy or complex; just a woman who loves to share the stories swirling around in her mind.
Whew, that wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Maybe I need to do this more often?
A big thank you to Lisa Vandiver!
Now on to the next step in our little Blog Tour...
I am thrilled to introduce the two authors that I suckered, I mean, that have graciously agreed to continue the fun on their blogs for the My Writing Process Blog Tour.
First, we have Karen/K.L. Docter-
Karen will have her entry for the My Writing Process Blog Tour on Tues, May 27th at KarenDocter.com
Karen's contemporaries are cute & spicy romances. She loves writing about real men and women with dreams and goals that don't allow for a relationship just so she can throw them in each other's path...with a tickle and a smile.
K.L.'s romantic suspense is filled with romance, too, all though the dangers the hero and heroine face are intense, usually because a serial killer is bent on ending one of both of their lives before they can fall in love.
Karen/K.L.'s an award winning author, four-time Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® finalist, and won the coveted Kiss of Death Romance Writers Daphne du Maurier Award Catagory (Series) Romantic Mystery Unpublished division.
When she's not saving her characters from death and destruction, or helping them fall in love, she loves camping and fishing with her family, reading, gardening, and cooking. If she can do most of those things over a campfire, all the better.
Next we have Nickie Asher-
Nickie will have her entry for the My Writing Process Blog Tour on Monday, May 26th at
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I want to thank Karen and Nickie for agreeing to share with you the fascinating way they develop their stories in the My Writing Process Blog Tour. I'm sure that everyone is looking forward to learn how they write the books that keep their readers turning the pages, as much as I am.
We have come to the end of our time together on this little Blog Tour. I want to thank you for stopping today, and I hope you will come back often.
Very interesting, Linda. I, too, am extending a long short story into a book length work. Very different from yours! But, as you say, interesting and enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteThank you for dropping by, Gerry. I look forward to seeing yours.
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