After a dreamy month of vacation in June, I began work on a new project at the start of July. My kids are out of school until August 6th, so I’ll be writing at a relaxed and easy-going pace until then! Nonetheless, I did start back. 🙂
Via my recently-completed Bradford Sisters series, I discovered that I really enjoy writing a set of connected books that includes a prequel novella, three novels, and a Christmas novella. That combo of novels/novellas felt just right, so I intend to do the same for my upcoming series.
I’ve already submitted book #1. It will be traditionally published, which means many months in the publication pipeline and a May 2020 release date. The prequel novella, however, I’ll indie-publish… which means fewer months in the publication pipeline. Thus, I’m now working on the story that will be set before and will release before the story I wrote first.
I began the novella with the first (and my favorite) phase of the writing process: brainstorming.
I took the few ideas I had and started to build on them. I read articles, made decisions, pinned things to Pinterest, watched videos, tweaked aforementioned decisions, looked up obscure facts, tweaked aforementioned decisions further.
I knew my hero was an Air Force fighter pilot named Eli because he’s a secondary character in book #1. So I researched fighter pilots, which was no chore.
Once I knew Eli better, I hunted around for inspiration regarding my heroine.
When I saw this photo (and that hair!) I was like, Ah ha! There you are, Penelope. And what is your profession?
[More hunting for inspiration]
Since Eli’s a fighter pilot, naturally, you, Penelope, should make pies for a living.
I oriented myself in the characters’ world by looking at photos of the north Georgia mountains where they live, choosing a season in which to set the story (summer), and figuring out the details of their homes.
I then fleshed out my plans for the romance development and plot premise. If you’ve read my books, you know I trend toward long and involved stories. For a novella, that won’t work. Only ideas that suit the much shorter length need apply.
Once I had a handle on the romance and premise, I started populating the novella with secondary characters. As you can see from my scribbles below, I renamed the heroine’s brother. He was Jed and became Theo. I renamed the brother’s wife multiple times. Anna became Morgan became Eva became Aubrey.
It’s trickier than you might think to name characters! For one thing, I’m searching for names that fit the characters in my head. For another, I don’t want many of them to have names that start with the same letter or end in the same sound because I think it can become confusing while reading to distinguish between characters named Jed/Jake or Maddie/Sadie, for example.
That done, I filled out character applications for my two main characters.
The above is a screen shot of the first few questions in my character application. I came across this application in a Romance Writers of America magazine years before I published a manuscript. I adopted it, adapted it, and have used it on all of my heroes and heroines since.
Finally, I jotted down every plot point I could envision.
I wish I could say the above is a screen shot of just the first few plot points. But, sadly, the whole list isn’t much longer than this at the moment. I have a general idea of where I’m going with this story, but, for the most part, I’ll figure out how to get there as I go.
I allotted a week for all of the above. That week ended last Friday. And so, on Monday, it was time to begin writing. I spent March, April, and May rewriting book #1. I spent June relaxing. Which means I hadn’t written new rough draft pages since February. Which means I was rusty at the writing of new rough draft pages.
Regardless, my dog Sam and I went for a dictation walk in the sweltering Texas heat on Monday. As always, I had to force myself past the psychological speed bump of starting an enormous new project. Something in me — the something that knows how much work is involved — always screams NOOOOO! when it’s time to begin page one. I quieted the instinctive NOOOOO! with a conscious YES, hit the microphone key on my phone, and spoke the first sentence. And then the next. And then the next.
Another story is underway! I’ll continue to work on Eli and Penelope’s story throughout July and hope to make it available in February.
Do you have any questions for me about my story-planning process?
Before I go, I wanted to mention two terrific sales currently running on Sweet on You and Undeniably Yours!
Becky Wade
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Your writing process sounds a lot like mine, Becky. I’m also in that daunting phase of getting the story out of my mind and onto the page. Meanwhile, it’s summer and I live by the beach. Good thing I have a deadline to aim for. Blessings on your work!
I’d be more than happy to proof-read those dictations for you. Because, basically, I’m THAT much of a servant.
“Meanwhile, it’s summer” Exactly, Lynn! I’m writing, but it’s summertime writing. I’m not putting a great deal of pressure on myself because a) I want to enjoy these more relaxed months of the year with my family and b) because only so much can get done with kids underfoot.
And Jennifer! You’re the picture of servanthood, as always. 😉
I Love this post! Thank you for giving us a glimpse into the process of the finished products that we so love! And, thank you for naming your characters so they’re not confusing! That’s really helpful to me anyway!
I’m glad to know that’s helpful! I’ve been confused by characters’ names many times while reading. If possible, I really want to avoid that because confusion will pull a reader out of a story every time.
Such a fun and interesting post – I love a look at your writing process! So much work, but you bring so much delight to your readers!
Now that hair – WOW! – but also those freckles!
Also those freckles! They’re so distinctive and pretty.
I’m excited about your new series. I love the idea of pairing an Air Force pilot with a pie entrepreneur. And that Pie Spot trailer for inspiration is adorable!
Thanks, Karen! I’ve been surprised to learn that a lot of older model trailers are being converted into “food trucks”. They’re so cute!
An Air Force fighter pilot and a pie baker! I like it! I know a real life couple very much like this unlikely pairing: an AF fighter pilot who married an artist (Emily sketches portraits). True love!
Ahhh! I love hearing about this true life love story, Teresa.
I loved reading this post! Thank you for sharing insight into your writing process and the first imaginative ideas for your story. I am so excited to read Eli and Penelope’s story! 🙂
Thank you, Natalie! 🙂
My question is how much does Sam contribute to your writing process? 🙂 If I’d attempted to walk my dog while dictating all I’d have is “Stop running after that squirrel!” or “Drop whatever is in your mouth!”
On a more serious note, how do you choose your location? I noticed you’re going from one coast to another….was it to totally distance yourself from the setting of the Bradford Sisters series? Also, will you continue to write in an epistolary style in future books? I really enjoyed that in your most recent books and felt it added to the story in such a unique way.
“My question is how much does Sam contribute to your writing process? 🙂 If I’d attempted to walk my dog while dictating all I’d have is “Stop running after that squirrel!” or “Drop whatever is in your mouth!””
LOL! Sam is fairly good on his retractable leash. Not stellar. But good. He has been known to interrupt dictation from time to time by barking at passing dogs and sometimes lagging behind so that I have to tow him along. I don’t worry too much about these faults, however, because he provides something invaluable: writing companionship and emotional support. 😉
“How do you choose your location?”
A year ago, I asked my Facebook followers to name their favorite American mountain towns. I then spent days looking at photos of their suggestions, hunting for information and history on various towns in Maine, Vermont, Alaska, North Carolina, and more. Many, MANY readers told me that they loved the Blue Ridge mountain range. I’d never been, but the photos of that region spoke to me and stirred my creativity. Eventually, I settled on the north Georgia portion of the Blue Ridge simply because it inspired me. I visited the north Georgia mountains last November and loved my time there. Beautiful!
“Also, will you continue to write in an epistolary style in future books?”
I don’t have plans to incorporate epistolary elements into the new series. However, I did add something unusual and new for me between chapters in the first novel. I’ll be interested to see if my editors give those segments the green light!
I really enjoyed this post, especially the character development chart. So interesting to see how you brainstorm your characters.
I’m about to finish True to You and love it. I live in Virginia Beach, home of Seal team 6, so had an immediate connection to the book. Over the years I taught a number of children of Navy Seals. One father brought some trucks and equipment to school for our field day. We love our Navy Seals! Then Came You was an interesting introduction to the series. I bought all of the books when they came out, but wanted to read them together.
The new series sounds very interesting.
Betty, thanks so much for reading True to You. I’m delighted to hear that you’re enjoying it and that you have such a personal connection to Navy SEALS. Their teams are so impressive!
Special ops has always been important to our family. My husband enlisted in the Marine Corps and became a recon Marine – precursor to other special ops as we now know them. After six years he was recommended for an officer program and sent from Japan, where he was stationed with the Naval Security Group, to Quantico, Va. That’s when I met him, while going to Mary Washington College, 30 minutes south of Quantico. He retired as a Captain, and we settled here since I am a native Virginian, and this was his last duty station. When we attended his Basic School class reunion at Quantico in 2005, part of the events included a demonstration on how the special ops fields have been combined and operate today. He had two knee replacements ten years ago, the result of what he says was, ” too many amphibious landings and jumping out of too many perfectly good airplanes.” Next month will be our 54th anniversary. I think I noted once before that my daughter is around your age. Congrats on your award for Falling for You, up next for me.
Excited for your new series!
Yay! Thanks, Jennifer!
Thanks for sharing your writing process, Becky! I am so excited for your new series (as always!) Being a “wannabe author”, I found your post so helpful, but also eye opening! I guess I need to rethink this whole path of writing a story someone else might want to actually read! LOL Blessings to you as you start a new series – you have me hooked with just what you shared!
“I guess I need to rethink this whole path of writing a story someone else might want to actually read” This made me laugh out loud!
I want to encourage you in your writing, Caroline! We’re both working toward the same destination (a finished story), but it’s okay if your route looks completely different than mine. The main thing is to find the method that suits you best!
Ooo! This is all such good info! I would love to know more how you work from dictation, eventually getting those words onto a page.
My in-laws live in the north Georgia mountains, somewhat near Blue Ridge, so I always have an easy time imagining the settings of your books set there. And we recently acquired a cat, and I named her Penelope. Excellent name choice! I adore freckles, too. Basically, this novella sounds like one I’ll easily love!
My husband and I stayed outside of Blue Ridge when we visited the Georgia mountains!
Regarding the dictation…. My phone types while I speak. Then, when I return to my computer, I simply cut and paste the dictated words into my manuscript. They’re ROUGH, but I enjoy cleaning them up, adding to them, deleting from them, etc. 🙂
Excited to read this novella, Becky. Who doesn’t love a man in uniform and a woman who owns her own bakery. And as we’re just reading about pies, it’s calorie-free : ) It’s a win-win!
That’s how I felt about Britt’s chocolate shop in Sweet on You. 😉 Calorie-free chocolate!!!!
I actually know someone who makes pies for a living and has a food truck. I’ll have to tell her about this new series. 😎
Thanks for sharing your plotting/writing process! It must be difficult to go from the idea/concept and character applications to the actual writing of the rough draft! It takes a steady daily output of words to complete a novel!I have attempted to write a few short stories and a novel or two–but I always get stuck in the middle, and fail to complete the story!
I should probably learn how to plot before I free write but as of now, I love free writing before anything else. Then as I’m free-writing, I fill in the blanks (brothers, sisters, parents, houses, careers, etc) MOST of the time, I have a spark of inspiration for a character that comes with a name and description in my head. Although, it changes sometimes. As many things do in writing of course. I almost always have a setting in mind too 🙂
Excited to hear more about the new series coming up!