I’ve written many, many first drafts of novels, most of them “by the seat of my pants.” This means I have a story idea but don’t know exactly how it plays out until I write it. However, I have written a few (very few) first drafts from a synopsis. These drafts tend to have a little more structure when the story first goes down on paper (or screen). I’m now beginning different kind of first … [Read more...]
Research, books & thanks, oh my!
Very early Wednesday morning, I turned in the macro or substantive edit for my next book, Lethal Intent. With this book I spent a lot of time on the hero and heroine because I wanted to make them deep. And that meant lots of flow charts and things. In my office I have a blank wall right next to my desk and computer, so I turned it into a "white board" where I posted my ideas. This is what it … [Read more...]
How to Encourage (or Discourage) a Writer on Deadline
I triumphantly wrote THE END on a manuscript last summer, and here I am again on deadline. I came across a post I wrote (but never published) while I was on that squeaky tight deadline last summer. I’d been noting the things that enabled me to finally finish that first draft—along with the things that had not been quite so helpful, and thought I'd share a few of them with you. After more than … [Read more...]
When Life is Research
As I've been working on the fourth book in my Chicory Inn Novels series, I've been very aware of how much of the research for these novels, more than any others I've written, has been simply living life! So many of the scenes in these novels come from my experiences as a daughter, mother, grandmother, granddaughter, daughter-in-law, wife, sister, aunt... I've truly pulled from just about every … [Read more...]
The Mystery in Writing
I'm racing to finish another book, and I'm deeply embroiled in thoughts of what makes a story work. Which reminds me of a favorite scene from the movie, Shakespeare in Love. It goes like this: Philip Henslowe: Mr. Fennyman, allow me to explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster. Hugh Fennyman: So what do we … [Read more...]