The Writing Process
I've been writing all my life. I actually learned to
type when I was 15 in high school so that I could be a writer. Of course there
were some detours along the way – secretarial, administrative jobs, but they
have become life research.
What am I working on?
I write romantic fiction and I'm usually juggling a
few novels at one time. At the moment I'm endeavoring to re arrange a book I've
called (working title) Firefly Bay. I
say re arrange because I've written the novel a couple of times in other forms.
Now I've distilled two main characters and I'm travelling through their
romantic journey from the 70's to the present time. I've also got a new release
coming out in July from Black Lyon Publishing www.blacklyonpublishing.com and I've
signed six contracts with Samhain Publishing for some of my back list under
their Retro Romance imprint. Montlake Romance from www.amazon.com have just
released three of my Avalon hardcover library books, Tropical Dreams, Family Affairs and Love's Design in paperback
which I hope will find a brand new market. In April another Montlake Romance
will be releasing, Racing Hearts. All
these books are available on Amazon Kindle.
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I attempt to spin reality into fantasy. Whether I've
ever achieved that I'm not sure, but I like to feel that each romance is a real
friendship and a true commitment that will last so that the fantasy isn't a
lie.
Why do I write what I do?
Because I've always loved reading romances and any
stories, thrillers, mysteries, that have a relationship hidden in their depths.
How does your writing process work?
Sometimes I begin with a title, a name, or a vision of
what a character will look like or maybe a situation. Then I begin to write the
book from that one starting point. I usually begin writing a chapter then begin
again. Write a second chapter then begin again at the first chapter. Maybe even
discard the first chapter. By this time maybe the first two chapters have
extended into three or four. And I keep going that way, working my way through
the story, listening to the characters. Usually about half way through I have
to spend a night wrestling with my brain to re arrange the way the story is
going. Possibly I will change the dramatic conflict that will propel the story
forward. About three quarters of the way through I will know the ending, but
will never write the ending, until I've got the entire book right – at least in
my mind. Usually the characters in the end have their own way.
