Month: May 2014

Mary Moore has been writing historical fiction for more than 15 years. After battling and beating breast cancer, Mary is even more excited about her career, as she incorporates some of her struggles throughout her books, dedicated to encouraging others in the Lord and using her writing for God’s glory.

Her debut novel, The Aristocrat’s Lady, won several acclaimed awards, including the 2011 Reviewers Choice Award by RT Magazine for Best Love Inspired Historical, and the 2011 Holt Medallion from Virginia Romance Writers for Best Book by a Virginia Author. She also received an Award of Merit for Best First Book and Best Long Inspirational by the VRW.

Mary is a native of the Washington, DC area, but she and her husband, Craig, now live in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in southwestern Virginia. When not writing, she loves to read, minister in her church, and spend time with her husband.

Mary would love to hear from you! She can be reached by visiting her website at www.marymooreauthor.com.

What time of the day do you write best and why?

I don’t have a set time to write, but I’m a night owl so that’s when much of it gets done. It’s funny, sometimes I’ll wake up in the middle of the night with an idea for a scene in a current work or a new story altogether. I’ve been keeping my cell phone by my bed so I can record the thought before losing it to sleep!

How long do you write every day when you have a deadline looming?

Wow, when a deadline is looming, I write constantly. I know that keeping deadlines will make my editor and publisher happy, so I work very hard at meeting them. Sometimes it takes long days and long nights.

How long do you write every day when you don’t have a deadline looming and   why?

Actually, I think I work more diligently with a deadline hanging over my head.

When I am not under serious time constraints, it’s too easy to talk myself into doing things more pressing, thinking, “I’ll finish that chapter tomorrow,” or, “I’ve got plenty of time to work on that scene I’m not happy with.” I readily admit that it has got to be the same as any other job; you have to work your hours, day in and day out, and that’s my new goal.

 How do you begin writing a novel?

What usually happens is I get ideas for stories kind of randomly. But as soon as it       comes to me, I make a few notes, and keep it in a file. Then once I start working      on it, I supply the surrounding details. Chapters don’t necessarily come to me in order, either, so I have to make a lot more little notes, pulling them out when   they are needed. Very scientific, right?

How do you plan? Do you use any outlines, books, formats when you plan your novel?

You know, I haven’t been a novel planner, but I think it is because I only have   three books published and I know them inside and out. But I don’t ever want to duplicate locales, names or plots, so I believe a story board is in my very near   future. A story board will also help keep secondary characters where they belong. I write Regency novels, and both the hero and heroine have butlers and grandmothers and friends and they are beginning to be too difficult to keep in my head.

  Where did the idea come from for the novel you are working on right now?

It actually came from two different circumstances. First, I have faced several severe physical trials in my life and I love to incorporate the experiences, or at least the emotions that come into play with any trial, in my stories. Secondly, ever since I read my first Georgette Heyer Regency, I have loved the “bad boy”  (that’s called a rake in that time period) who falls for the last woman he would  expect. And a heroine that could care less about catching him! It has been so much fun to write, and it gives many opportunities to include an important spiritual aspect. I hope the humor and the message he learns from a woman who has faced suffering comes through for the reader.

Do you use any visuals for inspiration? (or anything else!)

I do use visuals. It started out as a by-product of what my publisher needed to create the cover of my books, but now it helps me keep a picture of things in my mind from the beginning to the end of the story. The graphic artists love to have  examples of what I envision in my mind’s eye. They want a picture of someone famous that closely captures what I see in my head for both the hero and heroine. Regency novels are famous for their beautiful clothing, but the artist   isn’t necessarily an expert on that time period, so they need pictures and descriptions. For example, in my newest release, a suit of armor plays an important part in the story, so I spent time researching and saving pictures of the      one that is in my imagination. He may never make it to the cover, but it really helps to “know” the people and important details that go along with the period.

  How do you get through the “murky middle” of your novel?

As I mentioned, I don’t always write my chapters in order. In that way, I sort of   avoid that murky middle. If I can work on the ones that are important to me at the time, and fill in around those, it evens out in the end!

 Do you revise every day? If so, how do you organize your revising? What is your revision technique?

I do not revise as I go along. My first goal is to get the story written, warts and   all, and into the computer. That’s when my revisions start.

I have a great revision technique, but it is not mine. The idea was given to me as a suggestion by a woman who was a judge of my first contest entry and I consider it one of the most important pieces of advice I have ever received! She  told me to always read what I had written back to myself, OUT LOUD! Already knowing the story intimately, you become so familiar with it that it is easy to gloss over sentences you believe are just fine. But when I go into a room, close the door, and then read it out loud, I am amazed at the changes I need to make.

I can “hear” if I start two paragraphs in a row with, “She said…” I can hear if I use the same word twice in two sentences. And I can hear how much better a sentence flows if I just switch a couple of the words around. I try to do that after every chapter, but even when the book is finished and has been revised and re-revised, I do it again, from start to finish. And it’s not easy. Facing a deadline can quickly deter me from reading it all the way through, out loud, again. But I do it. I recommend it whole-heartedly and hope the reader/writers out there profit from it as I did.

 Do you have a writing group, or a trusted reader for your novels? If so, how does           that work? Do you meet weekly, or only when you have a novel due? Do you share your materials online or in person?

I was in a critique group for a very short time, and decided it was not a good match for the way I write. As I mentioned before, I pretty much work on the whole book before I really start revising. But in the critique group, you might submit a chapter to two or three critique partners. I got excellent feedback, there is no denying that, but I would get a little bogged down in trying to incorporate the different suggestions before moving on to the next chapter. So I did not stay in the group. But if it helps someone to get that important feedback often, I would highly recommend a critique group. No, I am not completely alone          in my writing feedback; I have a beloved husband and a beloved sister-in-law who are privy to the first draft of each manuscript. They are both honest and loving and I covet their suggestions. Then as I move into revisions, my husband becomes my first-in-line editor.

  What have you learned about your method of writing after publishing your book(s)? Has it changed? If so, how?

I am one of those dinosaurs who still write by hand. (Did you hear the gasps?) Working in an office my whole career, I am well aware when I hit a wrong key on the keyboard (long before spellcheck was invented!). Instead of leaving it for revision time, I was compelled to go back and fix it then. Talk about slowing a process down! I have no explanation for it, but on paper, if I mess up; I just cross it out and continue on. When I get an idea I want to put in a later chapter, I just flip through a handful of pages, make a note and write that scene when I get to it. But here is where I answer your question; I have finally determined that I need to change my method. After handwriting an entire manuscript, I then have to          type in the 300 page story and that takes so much time that I don’t have anymore. This dinosaur is finally going to be extinct!

 What advice about a writing method would you give to any new writer?

Do what works for you. Your writing method is behind the scenes and known     only to you. If a critique group is needed until you feel steady on your feet, by all     means, join one. If you revise chapter-by-chapter, that’s awesome; you’ll have   less to do at the end. I suppose there are as many different methods as there are authors!

 Is there anything you would like to add about writing?

Be tenacious. I wrote 6 of my stories in 1995, but my first wasn’t published until            2011. I was not actively working toward publication most of that time, but the first few times I tried, a rejection letter signaled that my stories were just for me.  But I think God knew the perfect timing to become serious about really taking a good hard stab at it to see if that was His plan or not. But I had to hunker down and hone the works, seek representation and work toward publication. And even that takes time and patience, something we all hate.

 

 

Merrillee Whren is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart for Best Inspirational Unpublished Manuscript given by Romance Writers of America. She has also won the 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Love Inspired of 2006 and the Georgia Romance Writers’ Maggie Award for Excellence for her novel, AN UNEXPECTED BLESSING. Her book, LOVE WALKED IN, is the winner of the inspirational category of the 2007 Published Beacon Contest.

Merrillee’s writing journey has had as many stops along the way as her life’s journey. She wrote her first novel while she was in high school and shared it with her friends. However, many years passed before she considered writing anything for publication. Finally in 2003, after writing and revising eight manuscripts, she won the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award for best, unpublished inspirational manuscript. The following year, she made her first sale to Steeple Hill Books. THE HEART’S HOMECOMING was an August 2005 release.

Her ninth book for the Love Inspired line, HOMETOWN PROPOSAL, was and August 2010 release. Because she loves stories with happy endings, she is thrilled to be writing inspirational romance for Steeple Hill Books where the stories have emotional and spiritual happy endings.

Merrillee is an active member of Romance Writers of America and a member of one of its local chapters, First Coast Romance Writers, which meets in Jacksonville, Florida. She is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of thirty-plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas and Chicago but now makes her home on one of God’s most beautiful creations, an island off the east coast of Florida. When she’s not writing or working for her husband’s recruiting firm, she spends her free time playing tennis or walking the beach, where she does the plotting for her novels.

What time of day do you write best?

I usually write best in the evening. I think it’s because when I first started writing that was the only time I did so, and I’m not much of a morning person. I rather do mundane things in the morning like housework, grocery shopping and email.

How long do you write every day when you have a deadline looming?

I write as many hours as the day allows when I have a deadline.

How long do you write every day when you don’t have a deadline looming and why?

It is hard to say. It depends on the day. Some days I write like I have a deadline, but on others I may only write a hour or two.

How do you begin writing a novel?

I usually have characters in mind and a situation. I start from there and write whatever comes to me.

Are you a before you ever write your novel planner? If so, how do you plan? Do you use any outlines, books, formats when you plan your novel?

No. Outlines make my head spin. Since I sell on proposal now, I have to come up with a synopsis, but it is the hardest part of the process for me. The finished book doesn’t always follow the outline although I don’t veer too far away. Many of the elements are there, but they may not be in the same order.

If you aren’t a planner, is there a point in writing the novel that you stop, look back and plan? If so, what is your method for doing so?

The only plan I have is the synopsis I write to sell the book. After the book goes to contract, I seldom look at the synopsis again. I only look at it to make sure I haven’t strayed too far from what I told my editor I would write.

Where  did the idea come from for the novel you are working on right now? 

My previous editor suggested I write a series based on a charity or ministry. The first idea I proposed to her didn’t go anywhere because we couldn’t agree on the concept. We decided on another idea for a ministry called The Village of Hope. The Village of Hope is a ministry located in an Atlanta suburb on a former college campus. The Village, as it is often called, is a community of folks from all walks of life, who are in need of help. The Village ministry provides services for the homeless and the unemployed. They provide legal services and job training. They give a helping hand to those who are recovering from substance abuse. They assist widows and abused women in their women’s ministry. Neglected and abandoned children are served in their children’s homes. The assisted living facilities help those who can no longer live completely on their own. The first book in the series, Second Chance Reunion, will be a January 2015 book for the Love Inspired series.

Do you use any visuals for inspiration? (or anything else!)

I sometimes have photos of my hero and heroine or other major characters. Mostly though, the character images are in my head. Although it isn’t visual, sometimes certain songs will inspire me.

How do you get through the “murky middle” of your novel?

I just plow ahead, hoping it all fits together.

Do you revise every day? If so, how do you organize your revising? What is your revision technique?

I do revise every day. I reread the part that I wrote the day before to get back into the story. I may change sentences that are unclear, find typos and other general editing. I don’t do anything major until the book is finished.

Do you have a writing group, or a trusted reader for your novels? If so, how does that work? Do you meet weekly, or only when you have a novel due? Do you share your materials online or in person?

When I first started writing I belonged to a critique group in Georgia. I really missed them when we moved away. When I lived in Dallas, I was part of another critique group. We met weekly in person. After I sold, I rarely had others read my work. I didn’t have time to read other people’s work, so I couldn’t expect them to read mine. I do have one faithful reader, my daughter, who reads the manuscript after it is finished. She looks for typos and inconsistencies.

What have you learned about your method of writing after publishing your book(s)? Has it changed? If so, how?

I have learned that my process works for me. I can’t tell someone else how to write. I know now that I can write a synopsis before the book is complete. Before I sold on proposal, I didn’t write the synopsis until the book was finished.

 What advice about a writing method would you give to any new writer?

Find the process that works for you. Don’t let someone else try to tell you how to do it. You can experiment with different methods until you find the one that makes you the most productive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Belle Calhoune grew up in a family of five children in a small town in Massachusetts. She attended Syracuse University and majored in English with a minor in French.  After graduating from college she became a Federal Investigator with the EEOC in Boston, Massachusetts. She now lives in Connecticut with her husband, two daughters, one mini poodle and a chocolate lab.   Writing for the Love Inspired line is a dream come true.  Working at home in her pajamas is one of the best perks that come with being a writer. Belle enjoys spending summers in Cape Cod, traveling, exercising on the Elliptical machine, watching movies and reading.  She’s now working on her fourth book for the Love Inspired line.

What is your best writing time?

I write best in the morning, in the hours from 9 am till around lunchtime.  Since the kids are in school and my husband is at work, it’s just  me and my two dogs.  And they are fairly quiet unless they hear a UPS truck outside.

What is your daily writing schedule?

I try to write for at least four or five hours a day, give or take. Sometimes this changes depending on personal events or the needs of the family.  I have settled into that normal rhythm and it doesn’t really change even with deadlines.  I find that if I can keep up that pace I don’t really need to stress  meeting deadlines or acquiring my desired word count.  At least not yet.

How do you begin writing a novel?

I’m very visual when it comes to writing.  Characters pop up in my head along with setting, season and visual descriptions.  For me that’s where it all starts.  I like to have a sense of what the overall theme of the story is before I start writing.  When I begin writing the book I always try to start with whichever character has the most at stake at the beginning of the book.

Are you a planner?

I go back and forth between plotting and pantsing.  Normally I do a story sheet where I fill in the character names, descriptions, quirks, fears, etc.  I also do a storyboard where I can look at the grand picture.  Town name, characters, relatives, back story, etc.  I think this is especially important when you’re working on a series of related books.  Sometimes it can be tricky to keep the facts straight.  By having it all laid out it does make the details easier to keep straight.

Are you more comfortable planning ahead, or just letting the novel happen?

When I’m not planning ahead I feel very free and easy as a writer.  I will say though that during these times I often have the feeling midway that I may have lost my way a little bit.  At those times I make a storyboard to keep me on course.  It’s important to be anchored to the story so things don’t get away from you.  There’s also no right or wrong way to do it.  Whatever works to complete a polished novel is what works for me.

Where did you get the idea for the novel you are working on now?

I’m doing edits now for a sequel to my first Love Inspired book which is titled Reunited with the Sheriff.  In the book there were four friends who were involved in a tragic car accident.  This book, entitled “Heart of A Soldier” centers around the character of Holly, who was paralyzed in the car accident.  From the moment her character appeared in my mind for the first book I knew I wanted to write her story.

Do you use visuals to help your writing?

Prior to starting a book I always get visual images of my characters from magazines or Pinterest.  This really helps me in the process and cements the description of the characters in my  mind.  It really helps when I’m describing the hero and the heroine to be able to refer back to a photograph of them.  Also, when we’re asked to provide cover images for the art department I always feel as I’m one step ahead because I already have the images stored in my computer.

How do you write your way through the “murky middle” of a novel?

So far I haven’t really had the experience of the murky middle, which is not to say it won’t happen, but so far I’ve been really fortunate.  I try to plan out scenes to avoid it happening and to focus on hooks that will have the reader turning the pages to find out what happens next.

Do you revise daily?

No, I don’t revise every day.  If I’m having a problem with a certain scene and I’m not satisfied with the overall result, I will tweak it.  Generally, I don’t revise it until prior to submitting to my editor.  I like to get all the words and the scenes down on the page and then worry about the revision process later.

What is your revision process?

I tend to revise prior to submitting a proposal or full manuscript to my editor.  That way I can focus on the big picture rather than just a scene at a time.  I have found that this works for me.

Do you have a writing critique group?

I do have a few trusted readers for my books.  These are readers who have shown a great deal of enthusiasm for my books.  I trust their feedback and don’t just expect a thumbs up.  If something is not working, I want to know it so I can fix it.  We do it all online and with a few phone calls, as well as back and forth emails due to being separated geographically.  It’s really nice to have that feedback and extra eyes on my work.

What have you learned about writing since your first book was published?

I’ve learned that I’m a writer who likes to write the stories of my heart.  I can’t write a story that I don’t feel emotional about.  I’ve also learned that I tend to write stories with forgiveness as a theme.  I’ve been told a time or two (or three, but who’s counting) that I tend to write in an episodic fashion. I finally had a lightbulb moment where I figured out what I’m doing wrong. Hoping that for my next book I jump over that hurdle.

What advice do you have for new writers?

I advocate the method of just writing with the goal of getting words on a page, not paying attention to perfection.  Getting words down on a page is the most important thing.  Anything else you can tool around with later.  Word choices, grammar, spelling.  Just write with abandon.

Is there anything else you would like to add about writing?

Writing from the heart shows up on the page.  When you do this readers and editors and publishers will respond.  Pour it all out on the page and make your stories shimmer with emotion and heart.  Make  your hero and heroine shine.  Also, you don’t have to be a perfect writer in order to succeed.  Making mistakes is part of the journey.  It’s also the thing  that causes you to grow as a writer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patricia Davids was born in the farming and ranching country of central Kansas. She had an idyllic childhood filled with horseback riding, softball games, fishing and swimming in the creek. As the only girl with four brothers, it was inevitable that she grew up to be a tomboy. Her love of books began early in life. Nancy Drew, Trixie Beldon, The Hardy Boys and Zane Grey were but a few of the favorites she collected.

After high school, Pat attended Kansas State University and went on to earn her nursing diploma at St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Wichita, Kansas. It was there that a classmate asked her to write a letter to a lonely sailor. Pat had no idea her pen pal would become the love of her life. After exchanging letters for several months, Pat met Dave face to face on St. Patrick’s Day in 1973. It wasn’t exactly love at first sight, but it was close. The following year they were married. Pat followed her sailor to the U.S Submarine Base in Groton, Connecticut, and eventually they were joined by daughter, Katherine.

On their return to Kansas two years later, Pat and her husband both entered the medical field. Pat as an RN in the NICU and Dave as an X-ray technician. Pat’s work eventually expanded to include being a flight nurse on the neonatal transport team. As part of the team, she helped transport infants in need of critical medical services to her hospital. Besides taking care of babies, Pat also worked as a home health nurse. Her stories of life in the air and on the ground were always sure to bring a laugh to her co-workers and family.

You can take a girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl. Pat’s love of the outdoors and her husband’s interest in hunting and archery lead them both to compete in the sport of archery at the local, state and national levels. In 1992, Pat and Dave won the Kansas State 3-D archery championships in their respective classes. Throughout her busy life, she remained a devoted reader, but often thought that she might like to write a novel — when she retired.

After her daughter left home, Pat’s love of reading evolved into a serious desire to write. In 1996, she began work on her first novel. It proved to be more difficult than she expected. In researching how to write, she discovered a local writers group and soon joined both the Wichita Area Romance Authors and the national organization, Romance Writers of America. Pat credits the help of the wonderful members of both organizations with teaching her the craft of writing and giving her insight into the publishing industry.

Still, after seven years of writing and three completed manuscripts, all she had to show for her efforts was a pile of rejection letters. Then, in the summer of 2002, Pat met Deborah Raney, a fellow Kansas author, and learned about the growing inspirational romance market. It was a lightbulb over the head moment. Pat revised her third book for yet another time and the rest is history.

When I asked Pat about her daily writing process, she said the following:

What time of day do you write best?

My best writing time is from 10 PM until 2 AM. Yes, I’m a night owl.

How many hours per day do you write?

When I have a deadline looming, I write 6 to 8 hours a day. I have been known to write for 48 hrs. straight with only a couple of 30 min. naps. I don’t recommend this but I have the most fun when I’m in that kind of writing trance. That’s purely new writing time. The business part of my career takes up 1 to 2 hrs. each day with blogging, answering emails and working on edits, AAs or revisions.

When writing on deadline, what is your writing process?

I always have a deadline looming, thank the good Lord. If it’s two months away I write 1-2 hrs. each day. At one month I kick it up to 4-6 hrs. Last two weeks, 6 to 8 on average.

Do plan your novel, or just let it happen?

I’m a plotter.

How do you get started on a novel?

I need to decide on my characters’ names, then the hook for the story, (secret baby, enemies to lovers, reunion, opposites attract, that kind of thing) then I decide what kind of  personalities my characters have. I can then lay out their goals, motivations and their conflicts. After that, I can see how the story will end with their conflicts resolved. Once I have a good grasp of where the story will go, I can decide where to start it. This process takes anywhere from one to three weeks of brainstorming to make it gel. Then, I’m ready to write a synopsis. It is never as easy as this sounds. I had one book I actually wrote backwards because I couldn’t see a starting place or where their goals would change. (The Farmer Next Door) I’ve had books that I have hated every word I wrote in them. (A HOME FOR HANNAH which won the RT Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Love Inspired Novel of 2012)

What inspires you to write?

This isn’t a hobby for me, it’s my job. No matter how much I love your job, it’s still hard work. It’s how I earn my living. I can’t wait for the Muse to inspire me to write. I write 3 to 4 books a year by putting my behind in my office chair and my fingers on the keyboard.

What is your revision process?

I’m always looking for the weak links in my story.

Where did you get the idea for the novel you are working on now?

The idea for my current novel came from thinking about how to make a man who is used to being in charge, who is strong and confident into someone who needs complete care. He needs to be humbled and have his eyes opened to what is good around him. So, I blinded him in an explosion that also burned his hands. Now, he is totally lost. A very kind and generous woman is going to show him how God uses tragedy to change us for the better.

Do you use any visuals–pictures, timelines etc–to help you write?

I don’t use visuals. My readers don’t have visuals so why should I?

How do you deal with the “murky middle” when you are writing a novel?

If the conflict between the characters is strong and not based on misunderstand or something shallow and easily overcome, then there is no murky, sagging middle. Also, adding humor to the story helps it move along.

What is your revision process?

I revise as I write. I always read and revise what I wrote the day before. Often, I start at the first page and read and revise the entire work before I do new writing. I’ve tried writing a first draft without stopping and I can’t do it. I’m a chronic fixer.

Are you a member of a writing critique group

I belong to a local writers group. I encourage anyone who thinks writing is something they would like to do to join one. I also have a critique group. We meet weekly to monthly depending on our schedules and I trust their judgment. If they say it’s not working, it isn’t. I don’t need people to tell me what they like about my writing. I need them to tell me where my weakness are so I can make it a better story.

How has being a published author changed your writing process?

Since becoming published, I have learned a ton about the craft of writing from workshops and on-line classes and articles. I discovered the secret of being a successful writer is not to write one great book, but to write 20 or 30 pretty good books. There is always room for improvement. Never forget that it isn’t about you as the writer. It’s about your readership. Give people what they enjoy reading and they will buy your next book. Give it to them as fast as possible, and your popularity will soar.

What advice do you have for new writers?

Don’t become a writer to earn a living. Have a day job first. It takes years to build a big enough readership to support you. Write because you love it. The rest will follow if you work at writing the way you would work at any job. The more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. Trust God to make it happen, but do the work.

 

Award winning, multi-published author Terri Reed discovered the wonderful world of fiction at an early age and declared she would one day write a book.  Now she is fulfilling that dream and enjoys writing for Love Inspired. She is an active member of both Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband, two wonderful children, and an array of critters. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening and playing tennis.

You can write to Terri at P.O. Box 19555 Portland, OR 97280 or visit her online at www.terrireed.com or email her at terrireed@sterling.net or leave comments on or http://craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/ OR www.loveinspiredauthors.com

 What time of the day do you write best and why?

For me it’s mornings and early afternoon.  I will write at night after everyone goes to bed if I’m on deadline and need extra hours.

How long do you write every day when you have a deadline looming?

Depending on the day 4-10

How long do you write every day when you don’t have a deadline looming?

2-4

How do you begin writing a novel?

I try to drop the reader into action via one of the main character’s point of view.

Are you a before you ever write your novel planner?

Yes!

If so, how do you plan? Do you use any outlines, books, formats when you plan your novel?

I start with the plot and character development. I use a variety of charts, forms etc to plan out the plot and characters.  Deb Dixon’s Goal, Motivation and Conflict is a must as is Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey.

If you aren’t a planner, is there a point in writing the novel that you stop, look back and plan? If so, what is your method for doing so?

Even though I’m a huge planner, I usually stop around chapter ten and go back and reread/rework from the beginning and then when I reach the end of what I have then move forward.

Where did the idea come from for the novel you are working on right now?

The novel I’m working on now is the second book in my Northern Border Patrol series for Love Inspired Suspense.  I wanted to write a series of books featuring the various different ways the border patrol agents protect the US and Canada.

Do you use any visuals for inspiration? (or anything else!) 

Yes, I love to have pictures of the characters and the places they are to help with description and so that I can ‘see’ them/the place in my mind better as I write.

 How do you get through the “murky middle” of your novel? 

Blow something up!

 When do you revise and why?

I don’t revise everyday.  I send my work off to critique partners who read and then return.  Once I have a good chunk of the book done I’ll look at their suggestions and start revising until I’m caught up, then repeat the process.  That way I’m not slowing down in momentum of the story to revise.  I need to get it out so I can then go back and make it readable.

Do you have a writing group, or a trusted reader for your novels?

I’ve had several critique partners over the years.  I have three that I partner with consistently. We used to meet in person once a week but now with track changes it’s much easier to do the critiquing over the Internet.

 What have you learned about your method of writing after publishing your book(s)? Has it changed? If so, how? 

The biggest thing is that I have a process.  I need to honor that process not fight against it.  It’s not the same process as anyone else and that’s okay.

What advice about a writing method would you give to any new writer?

Find your voice, find your process and honor them.  Protect the work—whatever that means for YOU.  For me, it means not giving into temptation to watch TV instead of write, or go out to lunch or let family intrude on my writing time.

 Is there anything you would like to add about writing?

It’s a hard business.  There are lots of ups and downs.  A successful writer needs perseverance and persistence.

 

Rhonda Gibson lives in New Mexico with her husband, James. She has two children and two beautiful grandchildren. Reading is something she has enjoyed her whole life, and writing stemmed from that love. When she isn’t writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, beading and playing with her dog, Sheba. She speaks at conferences and local writing groups. You can visit her at her website or blog, where she enjoys chatting with readers and friends online. Rhonda hopes her writing will entertain, encourage and bring others closer to God. Visit Rhonda at www.rhondagibson.net

What time of the day do you write best and why?

I’d have to say mid-day. I tend to want to play online too much when I first go out to write.

How long do you write every day when you have a deadline looming?

At least three hours

How long do you write every day when you don’t have a deadline looming and why?

I write two hours; usually that’s how long it takes me to get my word count in.

How do you begin writing a novel?

I make a header with my name, address, phone number. That way I don’t start with a blank page. Then I try to imagine some sort of action or dialogue from one of my main characters that will get the story started. That beginning will change sometimes but it gets me going.

Are you a before you ever write your novel planner? If so, how do you plan? Do you use any outlines, books, formats when you plan your novel?

I have learned to be a planner. I start off with a story idea and then start a synopsis/outline of the story. Often times I will go to history books as I write the synopsis, that helps me keep the story rolling.

Where  did the idea come from for the novel you are working on right now?

 I truly believe God inspires all my stories. This book is part of a series of books that spin off of my last book, His Chosen Bride.

Do you use any visuals for inspiration? (or anything else?)

I use maps a lot!

How do you get through the “murky middle” of your novel? 

Remember that synopsis I mentioned earlier? It’s a lifesaver. It and I have some type of action going on so that I don’t get bogged down in the characters everyday life 

Do you revise every day? If so, how do you organize your revising? What is your revision technique?

Yes, I read over what I’ve done the previous day and then tweak what I’ve already written. This is helpful for revising but also to get me back into my story.

Do you have a writing group, or a trusted reader for your novels? If so, how does that work? Do you meet weekly, or only when you have a novel due? Do you share your materials online or in person?

I have a couple of people that I read for and they read for me. Usually I send them my complete story when I’m done. If I get behind on my deadline, I sent them several chapters at a time so that we finish at the same time and I make my deadline.

What have you learned about your method of writing after publishing your book(s)? Has it changed? If so, how?

My method has changed. When I first sold I was a non-planner. Now I do my synopsis/outline and the writing goes smoother.

What advice about a writing method would you give to any new writer?

Everyone is different. Find what works for you and go with that. You might be able to write a whole book without a synopsis and write the synopsis last. I will tell you, that you must study the craft of writing. Someone will have a method of writing that will work for you. And if you don’t enjoy the way you are writing now, change it.

Is there anything you would like to add about writing?

Discover what it is about writing that you find enjoyable and do that because writing has to be fun! At least for me it has to be 

 

Leigh Bale is an award-winning, multi-published novelist who won the prestigious RWA Golden Heart in 2006.  More recently, she was a finalist for the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence.  She is the daughter of a retired U.S. forest ranger, holds a B.A. in History with honors and loves spending time with family, weeding the garden with her dog Sophie, and watching the little sagebrush lizards that live in her rock flowerbeds.

Married in 1981 to the love of her life, Leigh and her professor husband have two wonderful children and two grandchildren.  But life has not always been rosy.  In 1996, Leigh’s seven year-old daughter was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.  In the dark years that followed, God never abandoned them.  After six surgeries, two hundred and eighty-four stitches, a year of chemo, and a myriad of other difficulties, Leigh’s daughter is now a married woman and considered less than 1% survivorship in the world for her type of tumor.  Life is good!

Truly the Lord has blessed Leigh’s family.  She now transfers the love and faith she’s known into the characters of her stories.  Readers who have their own trials can find respite within the uplifting message of Leigh’s books.  You can reach Leigh at www.LeighBale.com.

What time of the day do you write best and why? –

In the morning and afternoon.

How long do you write every day when you have a deadline looming?

Until I’ve met my page count for the day. Whether I’ve got distractions or don’t feel like writing, I have to do it. Writing is like any other job. You have a contract and get paid for it, so you must produce the work.

 

 

How long do you write every day when you don’t have a deadline looming and why? 

These days, I always have a contract looming.  But when I don’t, I’m working on a new proposal package, so I tend to keep writing my same number of pages, as if I were on contract.  This is because I’m eager to get the proposal finished and sent off to my editor, so I can get under contract again.  That’s how you make your money.  🙂

How do you begin writing a novel? 

I tend to need the first 3 chapters to be completed and in good order before I can proceed with the rest of the book.  Every once in awhile, I’ll write a scene out of order if it’s good and I know what I want to do.  But I really need those first three chapters to set the stage for the rest of the book.  Then, I write the synopsis, to give me the full picture of main turning points and the ending.  I don’t bury the synopsis in tons of detail as that is also my selling tool to give to my editor.  Just the core happenings of how the book will go, including the internal and external conflict, the romantic conflict, and the faith conflict (because it’s generally an inspirational story with a faith element in the book).  Once I have those first 3 chapters written and have sold the book, I use my synopsis as the road map; because my editor bought that.  So, I stick to it unless a new and better way of ending the story comes to light.  Then, I call my editor to tell her about it.  That’s happened once or twice, and both times, my editor said to go ahead and make the change because it would make the book stronger.

If you aren’t a planner, is there a point in writing the novel that you stop, look back and plan? If so, what is your method for doing so?

Again, my 5-9 page synopsis is my road map.  Because I’m on deadline, I don’t have a lot of time to go back and plan each and every chapter.  But the synopsis is my basic guideline and then I just write the book according to the twists and turns I included in the synopsis.  Occasionally, I’ve written too long a book, or too short.  I’ve learned not to panic about that.  I’ll fix that when I’m completed the full book and then go back through in my revision process.  I’ve learned to trust myself on that.  Once I have a finished book, I then put it aside for 1-2 weeks while a critique partner reads through it.  I then go and start working on the next book.  And when I come back in, I just start reading from start to finish and editing anything that isn’t smooth, doesn’t make sense, is in the wrong place, should be clarified more, etc.  And every time, the book ends up falling within the correct word count my editor needs for the pre-shaped cover flats to fit around the book.  I think sometimes as writers, we tend to over-compensate in our process and it confuses and muddles us.  If we just trust our gut, write and then revise the book, don’t panic, just duck your head and do the work, it all comes out okay.  But that said, it does take work.  🙂

Where  did the idea come from for the novel you are working on right now?

I’ve just finished the 8th book in a series of Forest Ranger stories.  This book will be coming out in October 2014 and is titled “The Forest Ranger’s Christmas.”  My father is a retired forest ranger and has served as my consultant on these books.  It’s been a blast writing them, although a lot of heavy research.  I was in the shopping mall one day and saw a billboard about a man who was 70 years old and had just learned to read.  I also happened to be wanting to write a Christmas story with a forest ranger in it.  And voila! I came up with the idea to put them all together.  It’s a poignant, sweet story I think anyone can relate to.  Stay tuned and check out my website in October.  I’ll be doing a Goodreads giveaway and some other giveaways.  If you like, feel free to sign up for my newsletter over on my website and I’ll give you more information as we get closer to the date.  But most of all, enjoy!
Do you use any visuals for inspiration? (or anything else!)

My visuals tend to be actual forest rangers, wild horses, herds of domestic sheep, wild Big Horn Sheep, Sage Grouse, Hotshot Wildfire fighters, etc.  My stories have dealt with a variety of very real life situations.  It’s been a blast.
 How do you get through the “murky middle” of your novel?

I try to remember the natural flow of events and how my story will need to roll out in order to reach the satisfying ending I have planned for the book.  I’ve fought that a time or two, but have to bring myself back to what needs to happen.  By the time I’m in the middle of a book, the characters have made themselves known and I just know they would or wouldn’t do certain things.  I sustain the friction between them, find ways to deepen that, to bring other elements to light, or to show them experiencing a very difficult situation where they need help.  I try to remember that the middle of the book is what must be very grueling on my hero and heroine, so that by the end of the book, they can reach a “growth” point to have an “ah-hah” moment and “grow” and become the best person they can be.  Because I write romance, the characters always recognize that they’re a better person because they’re with the hero or heroine.  Love is what makes them a better person.
Do you revise every day? If so, how do you organize your revising? What is your revision technique?

I tend to write a chapter, then read back over it, chip away, clean up, add texture such as sight, smell, touch, hearing, etc., then I move on to the next chapter.  So, by this means, you could say I edit as I write.  But once the book is complete, I put it aside for a couple of weeks as I stated above, then I come in with “fresh” eyes and revise the entire book.  Since I’m on deadline, I don’t have time for more than that.  But I am a fairly clean writer.  That saves a lot of angst when I have to revise.  The book is already fairly free of spelling errors and mucky punctuation.
If you don’t revise every day, when do you revise and why?

I revise at the end of the book, when it’s all done and my critique partners have taken a look through.  They see things I may not catch.  At this point, I also like to print out the entire book in a hard copy and read through that.  I don’t know why, but for some reason you can really pick up on problems when you’re reading from a paper manuscript versus reading from a computer screen.  I also read some passages out loud to myself, to see how they sound.  Your ear can really pick up on problems, too.  These are a variety of techniques I go through before I say “it’s as good as I can get it at this point,” and I then email it off to my editor.  And then, of course, she and a copy editor will each edit the book and send me back lots of suggested changes to make the book even stronger.  So, before my books hit the shelves for readers to buy, it’s gone through a lot of revision work.  Only the best will do for my readers.  🙂
Do you have a writing group, or a trusted reader for your novels? If so, how does that work? Do you meet weekly, or only when you have a novel due? Do you share your materials online or in person? –

Ages ago, I had multiple critique partners.  I just don’t have time for that anymore.  Now, I have a couple of critique partners to read for me whom I really trust.  If I’m working on a particularly difficult book, I have another very professional critique partner I can go to for help, but she usually doesn’t have time to read through the entire book.  Just some big trouble spots, or the first three chapters, to ensure I’m on target.  I’ve learned how to critique for myself…that just happens over time as you get to be a stronger writer, but there are always things I can’t “see” because I think I’m too close to my own project.  So, I always have my book read through by at least one of my close critique partners.  They’re fast and can get the book back to me within a week, so they are gems.

What have you learned about your method of writing after publishing your book(s)? Has it changed? If so, how?

I used to be what I call a “plodding plotter.”  i.e. I plodded along cumbersomly by plotting every little thing.  But then, once I was on contract, I was also working a day job, had a family and home and church obligations to tend to, so I couldn’t plot anymore.  I had to hit the floor running.  Hence, I learned to get my first 3 chapters formed very nicely, then get the synopsis in very good shape, and then write as a pantser, going along logically to build the emotion and angst of my characters as they find their own happy resolutions.  Sometimes necessity forces us to develop a more efficient process.  I didn’t have a choice.  If I want to write books and have at least 2 new books out per year, I’ve got to jump in and just write.
What advice about a writing method would you give to any new writer?

Trust yourself more.  Trust your instincts.  Trust that, after you’ve written the book and go back through to revise it, you’ll know what isn’t working.  And remember: No lazy work.  If any part of you clenches and says, “Oh, I think that will be okay.”  Stop right there!  That is the moment you know it isn’t okay and you need to change it.  You can make this better.  You can write it a different way.  Take the time to clean it up, make it stronger, do it better, before you send the book into your editor.  I guarantee that will pay dividends when you get another contract, or your first contract.  Because you have no lazy writing.
 Is there anything you would like to add about writing?

It is the most amazing, grueling, cruel, beautiful, hard, wonderful, satisfying, depressing profession a person can ever have.  If you stay in the business long enough, you’ll earn it.  I guarantee.  But I think you’ll also look back and say, “Yes, the price I paid to be an author was so worth it.”

 

 

 

 

Karen Kirst was born and raised in East Tennessee near the Great Smoky

Mountains. She attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where she

received a B.A. in Speech Communication. A lifelong lover of books, it wasn’t

until after college that she had the grand idea to write one herself. The

pursuit of her dream would take longer than she first anticipated…years, in

fact. In the fall of 2010, she got the happy news that Harlequin Love Inspired

Historicals wanted to publish her manuscript-a true blessing from God. Now she

divides her time between being a wife, homeschooling mom, and romance

writer. She and her husband, along with their three boys, recently said goodbye to military life and are thrilled to be back home in Tennessee. Visit Karen at www.karenkirst.com

What time of the day do you write best and why?

Mornings and afternoons are better for me than evenings. My mind is fresher and more alert.

 How long do you write every day when you have a deadline looming?

I consider myself a slow writer, so the answer to that is hours. I push myself until I can’t write another word that day.

 How long do you write every day when you don’t have a deadline looming and why?

About 2-4 hours. I’m not someone who could sit for eight hours straight and write. I have to take breaks throughout the day.

 How do you begin writing a novel? 

I start thinking up the hero and heroine and the plot or hook I’m going to use, i.e. secret baby or boss/employee. Then I do character interviews in order to really get to know them. After that, I write out a detailed synopsis.

 Are you a before you ever write your novel planner? If so, how do you plan? Do you use any outlines, books, formats when you plan your novel?

I’m a planner. I sit down to write the synopsis and explore scene by scene, including snippets of conversation. This provides a roadmap for the book. I don’t always stick exactly to the plan.

Where  did the idea come from for the novel you are working on right now?

I’m in the middle of an eight book series, so my current hero/heroine were secondary characters in previous books. Their story sort of evolved from those. But I’m inspired by all sorts of things…songs, music videos, news articles. You look at something and ask yourself, what if? What if this happened or that happened or if I changed it in this way?

 Do you use any visuals for inspiration? (or anything else!)

Since my historical series is set in the Smoky Mountains, I look through books about the area and get inspired by the photos. I research plants, trees, wildlife that exist in the area and try to incorporate those things in the books. It helps that I live close enough to tour the log cabins, churches and barns that stood in the late 1800s.

  How do you get through the “murky middle” of your novel? 

I’ve never understood that problem. I look at a story as a linear timeline and progression of events. I don’t see a story as beginning, middle and end. So when I sit down to write the synopsis, I start out at a place in time and think how each scene moves the time and story forward.

 Do you revise every day? If so, how do you organize your revising? What is your revision technique?

Mostly I write the scenes as best I can and wait until the end to read through the entire manuscript and do full-scale edits. Sometimes, if I’m not confident with the direction of the story, I’ll go back and read through to make sure the relationship is progressing at a sensible pace.

Do you have a writing group, or a trusted reader for your novels? If so, how does that work? Do you meet weekly, or only when you have a novel due? Do you share your materials online or in person?

I don’t have a critique partner. If time permits, I have a few trusted readers to read through and give me feedback.

  What have you learned about your method of writing after publishing your book(s)? Has it changed? If so, how?

I think what I need to work on, even at this point, is not to try and make it perfect during the first draft. Trying to edit while creating will stifle the process.

Is there anything you would like to add about writing?

The most important thing I’ve learned is to educate yourself before sitting down to write. Decide what genre you want to pursue and study it. Read current books to get a feel for what’s being published. Then study craft books and learn how to plot, create characters and conflict, etc. This will save you a lot of frustration. Good luck!
Karen Kirst

 

Patricia Johns writes from Alberta, Canada where the winters are long and cold and the summers are hot and buggy–the perfect combination for getting a lot of writing done! Her first Love Inspired novel is her 13th published novel.

What time of the day do you write best and why?

I best write in the morning. I’m the mother of a 6 year old boy, so by the time the evening comes along, I’m completely wiped. If I’m going to write, the earlier the better!

How long do you write every day when you have a deadline looming?

I don’t have any other hobbies, I’m afraid, so I’m pretty much *always* working on a book in some form or another. I might not be always typing on a manuscript. I might be updating my author page on social networking, or researching something, or trying to think through a scene before I write it… But it’s a constant.

How long do you write every day when you don’t have a deadline looming and why?

If I have a deadline looming, I do a lot of negotiating with my family for writing time. “Tell you what, honey, you take him to the park so I can write, and then I’ll put him to bed while you go to the gym.” When a deadline is looming, I’ll write just as long as my brain will cooperate.

How do you begin writing a novel? 

I’m a planner. I start a novel by sitting down and plotting the entire book and deciding exactly what will happen in each chapter. Plotting is helpful, because that way I can keep writing, even when I’m not inspired with new ideas. I can look at my outline, know where I am in the story, and just keep on writing.

Where  did the idea come from for the novel you are working on right now? 

My current WIP is a combination of a few ideas. Where did it come from? I never know how to answer that! It’s a matter of combining a few things that interest me into a plot that will interest my readers. I wish I could give you a process. I generally happens while I stare at walls.

 Do you use any visuals for inspiration? (or anything else!)

A friend of mind recently asked me why I’d rather write than go out and do the things I write about, and I didn’t have a great answer for that. I only really need to do something once for research. Anything more than that is just wasting good writing time. LOL

 How do you get through the “murky middle” of your novel? 

Perseverance. Sit down. Type.

Do you revise every day? If so, how do you organize your revising? What is your revision technique?

I revise at the end. I might smooth things over a bit as I write, but I want to get the whole story down before I put time into editing. It’s hard to edit without knowing what the book looks like as a whole.

Do you have a writing group, or a trusted reader for your novels? If so, how does that work? Do you meet weekly, or only when you have a novel due? Do you share your materials online or in person?

No, I don’t. I’m very much a loner in my writing process. I’m not sure if that is a good thing to recommend or not, but I don’t like writer’s groups. Unless it’s the kind of writer’s group where you get together to chat and gab and get a mental break with someone who gets it, but hands off my novel! 😉

 What have you learned about your method of writing after publishing your book(s)? Has it changed? If so, how?

My first Harlequin novel which came out last summer is my 13th published novel, so it’s been a while since my first book came out. My method had certainly developed over the last decade, but it’s a slow learning process about what editors want and how to provide it.

 What advice about a writing method would you give to any new writer?

I would say to find what works for you. I’m a big planner, but I know successful writers who just can’t be inspired that way. Use whatever helps you to put words on paper and to move forward in your story. It’s all about the discipline. Write every day! It’s too easy to get side tracked by life, so your book has to be your priority.

 Is there anything you would like to add about writing?

I know a lot of people who like the idea of the writing lifestyle. In their minds, there are a lot of coffee shops, deep thoughts, a flexible schedule and artistic clothing. That isn’t writing. If you take all of the creative energy that goes into creating the writer’s lifestyle and pour that into your writing, you’ll come out the other side with a completely manuscript. THAT will make you a writer, and every wanna-be writer who sits around drinking a latte thinking a deep thought will be a full manuscript behind you. If you want to write, then write. Worry about the lifestyle once you’ve earned the right to it. You’ll have my personal respect, too!

If you have any questions or just want a little encouragement, come by my blog and contact me. Http://PatriciaJohnsRomance.com. I’ll be sure to respond!

 

James Joyce. Ernest Hemmingway. Stephen King. Joyce Carol Oates. Willa Cather.

What do these writers have in common, besides the fact that they are famous, prolific writers?

They write (or wrote) every day.

Stephen King: ten pages per day.

Ernest Hemmingway: 500 words.

James Joyce: sometimes just three sentences. But it took him many hours to perfect those three sentences.

Joyce Carol Oates: 45 minutes (if she’s teaching that day), (3 hours if she is not).

As a writer myself, I am unfashionably curious about the habits of other working writers.

So, I asked the working writers I know a series of questions about their personal writing habits.

I hope you will enjoy reading their stories, and I hope it will inspire your own writing.

Today’s featured writer is Katy Lee. As an inspirational romantic-suspense author, Katy Lee writes higher-purpose stories with high-speed suspense. Through her writing, ministry work, and teaching, Katy dedicates her life to sharing tales of love—from the “greatest love story ever told”, to the sweet romantic tales of falling in love.  Katy and her husband are lifelong New Englanders, and have been known to travel far and wide on a whim with their three adventuresome children.   Connect with Katy anytime at www.KatyLeeBooks.com.  There you will see her Facebook and Twitter links to connect with her further.

I asked Katie a few questions about her writing process. Here are her answers.

What time of the day do you write best and why?

In the evening, but I plot my next scene during the day, so when I sit down in my chair, I’m ready to go.

How long do you write every day when you have a deadline looming?

I’m good for about three hours before my brain is fried.

How long do you write every day when you don’t have a deadline looming and why?

1 ½ – 2 hours. (About 1,000 words)

How do you begin writing a novel?

Prayer. I ask God what message He wants me to share. Then I create the characters who will deliver that message the best.

Are you a before you ever write your novel planner? If so, how do you plan? Do you use any outlines, books, formats when you plan your novel?

Story boards, using Goal, Motivation, and Conflict, as well as the Hero’s Journey outline.

Where did the idea come from for the novel you are working on right now?

I take certain shows I like to watch and ask what if? This Old House is up next.

Do you use any visuals for inspiration? (or anything else!)

I will find pictures for my main characters and setting to keep me on track.

How do you get through the “murky middle” of your novel?

I try not to make them murky. That’s the time for some excitement and plot twists.

Do you revise every day? If so, how do you organize your revising? What is your revision technique?

I might go back and read through what I wrote the day before, but I don’t dwell on piddly stuff. That can come later. I get the framework done first.

If you don’t revise every day, when do you revise and why?

When the story is complete, I will read through it twice before sending to my editor.

Do you have a writing group, or a trusted reader for your novels? 

I do not have a critique group, but do have a writer’s group I can bounce brainstorming ideas off of.

 What have you learned about your method of writing after publishing your book(s)? Has it changed? If so, how?

I was always afraid of plotting. I thought it would take the creative process away from me. I’ve learned that’s not true. In fact, my stories get done faster and cleaner with plotting.

What advice about a writing method would you give to any new writer?

Join a professional writer’s group.

 Is there anything you would like to add about writing?

Not everyone is going to support you. Let their comments roll off your back and keep writing.

Tomorrow, writer Patricia Johns will share her writing habits.