If you are a regular reader of this blog, you might remember a post from about a year and a half ago where I invited our readers to help me brainstorm ideas for my next novella. (You can see that post here.) Well, that baby you helped create has just entered the world!
Worth the Wait is the second story in the Ladies of Harper’s Station series, and I truly believe it wouldn’t exist today without YOUR help. I had just finished writing the first novel, No Other Will Do, and knew that if I didn’t start writing the follow-up novella soon, I would get behind with my deadlines – a disaster for a slow poke writer like myself. I already knew the characters since they were introduced in the earlier book, and I had a basic idea of how things would start. What I didn’t have were original ideas to fuel the main story. I was stuck in a plotting rut. All my ideas felt too similar to situations I had already used in other novels. So what did I do? I turned to our awesome community of intelligent readers here at Inspired By Life and Fiction, and begged for help. And you delivered!
As promised, Worth the Wait is dedicated to the four ladies whose comments did the most to inspire my eventual plot. I didn’t use any of the ideas in their exact, original forms, but each of the four winning ideas sparked excitement and possibilities that I had not considered previously, and they helped me create a winning story for Tori and Ben. So if you download a copy (only $1.99 from most online retailers – click here to order), please look for those names and join me in applauding their generous creativity.
Just for fun, I thought I’d share some of the images that also helped inspire me along the way:
Tori and the outfit I pictured her wearing.
Ben Porter (Gerard Butler makes an excellent freighter, don’t you think?) and his team of beloved Shires (Helios with the black belly and Hermes with the white belly)
During the course of the story, Tori’s son, Lewis, adopts a puppy and, wanting him to fit in with the other animals, he gives him the name Hercules. Isn’t this little fellow just adorable? I fell in instant puppy love when I saw this picture.
Here is the back cover copy to give you an idea of the plot we settled on. (Keep in mind, most of the cool plot points are kept secret so as no to ruin the surprise!)
Benjamin Porter is one of only two men allowed inside the women’s colony of Harper’s Station, Texas. A freighter by trade, he works closely with local shopkeeper, Victoria Adams, to transport the colony’s goods to market. But it is more than profit that keeps him coming back. He’s fallen hard for the shopkeeper and her son. Tori is brave, beautiful, and a savvy entrepreneur–the ideal partner not only for his business but for his life. Too bad she’s under the impression that a man, any man, is the last thing she needs.
Despite Ben’s consistent kindness, Tori continues to hold him at a distance. His towering height and muscular frame, while attractive, are also dangerous. And she’s faced dangerous men in the past and vowed never again.
After Ben convinces Tori to partner with him in a new venture, delivering goods to area farms and ranches, he finally has a chance to woo her in earnest. But when an accident derails his plans, what once was a chance at love may be lost forever.
As with all my stories, Worth the Wait can be read as a stand alone even if you have not read the first Ladies of Harper’s Station novel. I hope you’ll give it a try and see what this community helped produce. I couldn’t have done it without you!
- Who are your go-to people when you need help on a tight deadline?
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Great idea, Karen. It sounds like a fun way to brainstorm!
It was a lot of fun. Who better than readers to inspire me?
Yay, I’m so excited to read this! I know once I start I won’t be able to put it down. Thank you, Karen. Keep ‘em coming!
Thanks, Robyn. I hope you enjoy Tori and Ben’s story. 🙂
It’s amazing what a fresh perspective can do to help the juices start flowing again! I just recently had my daughter read the first draft of one of my books. Afterward we talked and she shared ideas to incorporate as well as brainstorming for the second book. Was so helpful!
Congrats on another new release!!
Thanks, Jody. Great idea using your daughter as a beta reader. Sometimes we just need that fresh perspective, don’t we?
I have three friends I’m in a critique group with–Amy Drown, Janette Foreman , and Gwendolyn Gage–who are far more creative than I am. I look to them when I get buried in confusion. And my first critique partner, Jennifer Rodewald, is another great voice of inspiration to me. I love the idea of a community of readers pitching in to plot.
Good crit partners are a blessing, indeed. I have two ladies that I have worked with on every book I’ve ever written. They’ve invaluable when it comes to keeping my characters on track and sparking new ideas. I know Amy and Janette, and you are in great company with them. I bet Gwendolyn is fabulous, too. 🙂
Just downloaded my copy. Can’t wait to read it!
Hope you enjoy it, Ruby! 🙂
Loved this post and description of Worth the Wait. I love the cover and the attractive girl on the cover with the mischievous look cause me to download this book to my ebook. I want to ask what the title to the first book was as I would like to down load that ebook as well.