Zara West's Blog, page 27

Awesome Romance Author Isabella Laase

Awesome Romance Author Vicki Batman

The post Awesome Romance Author Jacki Kelly appeared first on Zara West Suspense.

All Fired Up for NaNoWri: How I’m getting ready

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 22, 2016 22:22

November 20, 2016

I love to read, but not during National Writing Month

Zara West Suspense

I love to read. In fact, I don’t just love it– I am compelled to read. I read everything. If there is a newspaper in the recycle bin, I read it. If there is a cereal box on the table, I read the label. If there is a book left anywhere, I pick it up and read it. And if it is a book I want to read, I not only read it, I become immersed in it. So immersed, I don’t hear people talking to me. I don’t hear the doorbell. I don’t hear the tea kettle whistling. Yep. I love to read.

Now this can be a good thing or a bad thing. When I was growing up, I was forbidden to read in the house. My mother insisted that when I was reading, I tuned her out completely. (Well, she was right about that, though I am not sure the book was totally to blame. It might just have been normal teenage contrariness.) As a result, I just read more and in more creative ways – under the covers, in my lap at school, while pretending to watch TV, and so on.

In elementary school, I set out to read every book in the library. Since the library was small and poorly stocked, that turned out to be quite possible. It was also a wonderful introduction to the wide range of books out there. I read everything – fiction books about chickens that talked, the children’s classics, and non-fiction books about Indian crafts and to make pompoms. (I still can make those pompoms.)

I love to read With that success under my belt, when I reached high school and could get to the public library on my own, I gave myself the goal of reading every fiction book in the library. I started at the As and actually got as far as the Hs. Robert Heinlein’s works were where I stopped my relentless pursuit because my best friend introduced me to the new acquisition rack and I had a whole new bunch of books to devour.

Now that I am a professional novelist, I still read. Reading is an essential part of writing. I read everything in my genre that I can. I read everything in genres I plan on writing in someday. And I plain just read everything that whets my interest. I read for enjoyment. I read to learn more about writing. I read to support my favorite authors. If you want to see what I read, check out my Goodreads list and my reviews. I read a new book every other day — usually.

However, not during NaNoWri. For one thing, reading consumes too much time. If I am going to get 1500 to 2000 words a day down, I don’t have time for a leisurely read at breakfast or lunch. But that’s not the main reason. The real problem about reading while fast drafting is that it pulls you out of your own story.

When I am fast drafting I am living my story. I am in the flow. I’m inside my character’s heads. I go to bed dreaming the next scene. I wake up ready to capture it. Reading someone else’s words, no matter how wonderful, no matter how enticing, interferes in the process. So as much as I hate it, I am not reading right now. Well, not much. I still read labels. I still read the newspapers my husband drapes over the armrest of the sofa. I still read e-mails and Facebook posts and even peek inside a few novels.

Because I am not perfect. I love to read…

Are you a compulsive reader too?
I’d love to hear how you control your reading. Post your thoughts and comments below.

Related Posts

Awesome Romance Author Terri Reed

Awesome Romance Author Alexa Bourne

The post I love to read, but not during National Writing Month appeared first on Zara West Suspense.

Awesome Romance Author Hywela Lyn

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 20, 2016 12:45

November 15, 2016

Awesome Romance Author Starr Gardinier

Zara West Suspense

My awesome romance author this week is fellow Wild Rose author Starr Gardinier! Starr writes paranormal romance. In her interview, Starr shares some of her ghostly experiences and where she gets her ideas.

Can you start off by telling us a bit about yourself?

I grew up in New York where the winters were long and cold. It created an environment for an active imagination; something that I brought with me on my move to California. That imagination is what helped me write the Other Side series. Living in California, I find that if you look hard enough, there’s more paranormal here than New York could wish for. So, I asked myself, why not write about it, even if it is completely fictionalized?

What was the most interesting place you every visited?

I visited a place in Jerome, Arizona. It’s purported to be haunted. To show you why I found it so interesting, I’m sharing an article I wrote about it after staying there and interviewing the inn owner:

The City of Jerome , Arizona sits atop what’s called Cleopatra Hill between Flagstaff and Prescott . Born to house mining operations and their workers from the early 1800s, the city was no stranger to violence. It was dubbed the ‘Wickedest Town in the West,’ but is now home to its legendary ghosts and various artists.
Having read about the Ghost City Inn and its charming inhabitants, I booked a vacation purposely to include a several day stay. I figured the inn and the city would be fascinating and requested the Verde View Room, which is supposedly the most haunted of this bed and breakfast.
The inn has six bedrooms and is absolutely appealing with its uneven floors, secluded spots and doors with unusually low doorknobs. This latter is because Grandma Garcia was a short woman and they were adjusted for her specifications. There we met Jackie Muma, owner and hostess of the Ghost City Inn—no, she’s not a ghost. Stories abound in this quaint place and Jackie was more than happy to share them. One of the first things she told me was she didn’t realize when she purchased the building ten years ago that the bed and breakfast would have permanent guests—courtesy of the times of yore. Perhaps something happened while the Christian couple owned it because, Jackie admitted, “they were in a hurry to sell it” and Escrow closed within thirty days.
What some scoffed at as funny pranks, Jackie found no humor in. Keys would be missing, only to turn up later. Old-time music could be heard coming from the Verde View Room, even though Jackie unplugged the radio and ensured there were no backup batteries. One of the craziest things that happened to her was when during one of the many times her cell phone was not where she left it. Jackie asserted that after searching, she ultimately found it in the refrigerator, of all places. She is positive she did not place it there and no one else was in the building at the time. It became irritating to her after a while and someone suggested she ask whoever was playing these games to stop. She went room to room asking them to “please leave me alone” and even prayed. Since then, she has not been the brunt of any of the annoyances. Guests however, are a different story.

One of the repeat visitors is none other than the woman who purchased it in 1920. Simply known as Grandma Garcia, this short, hunched woman lived on the premises until her death in 1978 in what is currently the Cleopatra Hill Room. She acted as caretaker for the Garcia House—its name while under her ownership—and the miners frequenting it, cooking all the meals for them when they woke from their eight-hour shifts. At some point during these years, the Garcia House was also a bootleg liquor site; that is, until a still exploded. This incident left Grandma Garcia terrified of any open flames in the house, such as candles or lighters. The damages the blast caused to the upper floor are still apparent. According to Jackie, the eaves under the roof are still charred.

Although this story is not about me, I’m pretty sure you’re wondering about my stay. Human curiosity begs the question: did I see anything? My answer is: unfortunately not. Do I personally believe? Absolutely. I would have loved to have seen Jake or Grandma Garcia. If I had, I planned on asking them questions: what happened to them? Why are they still here? Are they perhaps stuck here waiting for something or someone? I might get another chance to question them because I do plan on going back again.
Is this really all true? Do things go bump in the night at the Ghost City Inn and in Jerome? You be the judge. Go stay there. Maybe Jake and/or Grandma Garcia will appear. If they do, you need not worry. They are harmless and more pranksters than anything. If you see them, ask them my questions, but please share the responses with me. I’m curious to know. Aren’t you?

Jerome Hotel today

Where do you get your ideas?

To answer this, I’d like to share an excerpt from an article I wrote titled “You are Here.”

I received a plaque from a friend that says “Home is Where Your Story Begins.” Thinking about “home,” I realize that the structure that holds your family is your “house.” Your home is what you and your family make of the inner sanctum of that structure. It can be filled with a loving family: spouses and children, and maybe even pets. Among those people and pets are unique personalities and characteristics, physically and emotionally. There’s a litany of ideas just waiting to be used. What happens within your home can elicit a story.
For example, I write paranormal books. My inspiration at times, comes from within my home. It’s a simple structure with a husband and a dog. What could be so odd about that? Everything. Danger could lurk right outside my door….inside my house. An unseen force could be woken by a simple construction job, such as getting new carpeting or changing the structure somehow. Perhaps a residual spirit doesn’t want things altered. They may have liked it the way it was and were comfortable with its surroundings.
Maybe that upset spirit takes it out on my husband in some way. Trips him when he walks down the hall or blocks him from leaving the apartment. My husband’s wallet or car keys could end up missing.
Animals sense things humans cannot. My dog may act weird or stare off into what we see as nothing. He could suddenly become aggressive and try to attack something only he can see. Maybe he barks incessantly at the front door.
After we moved in, one of the neighbors told us an older lady died in this apartment. Maybe she’s a friendly spirit who wants only to inhabit the space she’s lived in for many years. While I’m cooking, she might decide to be playful and hide my spices. Or she could be evil incarnate and, what seems like on its own accord, my hand suddenly reaches inside the hot oven, grabs the rack and I get third-degree burns.
Have any of these things actually occurred in my home? NO. But because I write paranormal, I see how the innocent structure holding myself, my husband and our dog can become an other-worldly atmosphere that inspires me to create parallel universes in which the good and evil reside, and where they cross over and fight one another out of revenge.
Try it. Walk into your house, look around and know that you are here and let your story begin. Then let it evolve with the home that you and your family have created. Whether you write romance, mystery, crime or paranormal, there are hosts of ideas that stem from your house and invade your home. And those ideas can be put onto paper to create a tale like no other.

Can you tell us about your upcoming book?

The Other Side: Ben’s Story is in the works. Without revealing too much, I can tell you that it promises to be darker and the genre of “paranormal” will be stretched to its limit. At the same time, believable: it could happen to you… The question you want to start this book asking yourself is: Will Trent and Melinda live through the devastating events that revenge flings into their already challenging romance?

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

Most definitely my imagination. If half of what happens in this series actually occurred to me, I’m not sure I’d be as strong as my characters in dealing with it all!

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Absolutely, First and foremost – THANK YOU for supporting me. You are why I write; so that a good tale can be enjoyed by you and that you can get lost in someone else’s problems for a while. Second, you are all welcome to contact me anytime with questions and/or comments at: sgardinier@queenwriter.com.

The Other Side: Trent’s Story

Those wretched souls will seek retaliation on the murderous.

Melinda James is finally out of Skyview Haven—an asylum where she was confined for years—and is living her life, free at last. However, things are not going as planned; harassed by unexplained paranormal experiences, she doesn’t feel safe in her own home. And when she turns to her best friend Trent for help and support, she is surprised to find her feelings for him have grown far beyond a simple friendship.

Trent Miller isn’t prepared to fight evil, but he will do whatever it takes to save Melinda from an evil entity that is seeking revenge for past events. Armed with knowledge gleaned from television shows, a team of paranormal investigators, and the prayers of family and friends, he is ready to face anything.

The question is, does he tell her about his feelings for her before or after he fights a battle with evil for Melinda’s very soul?

Buy Links
Wild Rose Press | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Amazon

Learn more about Starr Gardinier here…

Website: Starr Gardinier

Blog: QueenWriter News

If you have any questions or comments for Starr Gardinier,
please post them below, and she will get back to you.

Related Posts

Awesome Romance Author Sorchia DuBois

The post Awesome Romance Author Starr Gardinier appeared first on Zara West Suspense.

Awesome Romance Author Barbara Barrett

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 15, 2016 22:53

November 13, 2016

Awesome Romance Author Delsora Lowe

Zara West Suspense

My awesome romance author this week is Delsora Lowe! Delsora writes small town contemporary romances set in Maine and contemporary westerns featuring cowboys and ranchers. In her interview, Delsora shares how her jobs, travels, and the views from her windows influence her writing, and tells us about her experiences with self-publishing and working on the new anthology Welcome to Serenity Harbor .

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m a mom of two grown children and a gramma (my favorite role in life) of three boys. I live and work in Maine, but grew up in Washington, DC as well as internationally, until I went to college in rural Vermont, before I married and transferred to college in Maine. I’ve held various non-profit jobs over the years including working as a counselor for sexual assault services, a lobbyist for women’s issues, an alumni relations director in three schools and colleges, and most recently as a visit and event coordinator in an environmental college admissions office. Soon I will write full-time—a new phase in my work life and I am thrilled to start this adventure after almost 12 years of writing part-time.

What interesting jobs have you had? How have those jobs affected your writing?

I told you about my jobs already. Living in so many different types of communities and in different countries has given me the opportunity to experience a diversity in food, culture, and friendship. It has broadened my horizons and made me more open and empathetic. Because of my upbringing and subsequent careers, I seem to always root for the underdog and celebrate the incredible strength and resiliency in people. Although I think I have a good sense of humor and look at life from that vantage point, when I write I always seem to mire my characters in their deep-seated internal problems resulting from the things life throws at them. I’ve had to totally rewrite so many stories that start out (in my head) as humorous and light-hearted, but never seem to end up that way in the first draft. There has to be some connection to my work that makes me push stories in that direction. Until I tell myself (or my critique partners tell me) to lighten up. I do try to infuse humor in my work. Right now I am writing a fun and flirty trilogy, which hopefully will have very few dark moments (after all, you do need some on the journey to that happily-ever-after).

What was the most interesting place you ever visited?

I can think of several stories from childhood. I was on the first jet to ever land in Taipei, Taiwan, when I was in third grade. They rolled out the red carpet across the tarmac and we walked to the terminal to cheers. We vacationed in Hong Kong, where a Chinese man who spoke no English taught me to use chopsticks—I think I was nine or ten. On the way back to the states after living in Taipei for several years, we visited Hong Kong, Japan, Philippines, Algiers, Morocco, several cities in Spain, Gibraltar, Pompeii and Rome, Italy, and Portugal. We took ships through the Suez Canal, the Mediterranean Sea, and across the Atlantic. Since then, life has been rather routine—but living in one small town for a long period of time has been such fun. I had always moved from place-to-place, having to make new friends along the way.

Where is your favorite place to write?

Anywhere I have a view. At home I sit at my kitchen table and watch the squirrels and birds, but at my daughter’s house in the mountains of Colorado I used to sit at her dining room table facing snow covered mountains. She has since moved to Denver, so I haven’t yet seen her new view. At my son’s Maine house, I can see the bay that leads out to the ocean. In the Adirondack cabin owned by my parents, I look over a lake and mountains. Those views always relax me, and inspire my writing and subject matter. Hence my website tag line about my favorite places to write: Cabins to Cottages; Keep the Home Fires Burning.

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

I received the call last summer. What a thrill! In the end, as I decided to retire and devote my time to writing, I decided to self-publish. I have written about twenty stories (full novels and some novellas.) I did publish a short romance in Woman’s World a few years back, and hope to submit some more soon. As part of the production team on the anthology, Welcome to Serenity Harbor, released on November 10, 2016, I had the opportunity to work with some well-known authors to publish this book. What a great learning experience…and incredibly hard work, working on lay-out with a formatter, working with a professional editor for the first time, book cover artist promotion, etc. Now I know I am up for the challenge I face in 2017 to get my other books out for all to see.

Can you tell us about any other upcoming books, series, or writing plans?

As you might have guessed, I write contemporary. I’ve begun the process of professionally editing and working on cover art for my Colorado rancher’s series, The Cowboys of Mineral Springs. The first book, The Prince’s Son will be released in early spring 2017, followed by the Rancher Needs a Wife and several others over the next year plus. The first two books each won several contests, so I am excited to finally publish them. I’ve also begun the sequel to my novella, The Legacy of Parkers Point, featured in our newly released anthology Welcome to Serenity Harbor. Come Dance With Me will feature my current hero’s best friend. I have also written the first, and plotted book two and three, for a new small-town trilogy, which are light-hearted, humorous stories about three shop owners in the coastal Maine town of Galway Cove.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Besides the usual, butt in seat to write, write, write, my biggest advice is to become involved in the writing community. The best thing I ever did was reach out to the Maine Chapter of Romance Writers and go to conferences. I have made so many close writer friends, who have been incredibly generous in mentoring me and encouraging me and ensuring that I am not alone in this business. Day in and day out of writing in my kitchen can be lonely business. But all I have to do is reach out to my friends on several writer loops across the country and find the courage to keep going. Never mind the constant writing challenges issued. Those are enough to keep me writing, if not daily (as life gets in the way) but consistently, week after week. I credit all these wonderful romance writer friends for ensuring that most of my books actually got written—okay, a little needling and many challenges were involved, especially when I have to fess up and report word counts on a weekly basis.

And to readers, I so look forward to building a relationship with you. This is new territory for me, being on the author side of the equation. But as a reader, I constantly reach out to my favorite authors (through email, Facebook, and by writing reviews) to let them know how much I enjoy their work.

I hope you’ll visit my website at www.delsoralowe.com. You can also visit my Amazon author page And find out more about me and the other anthology authors on Facebook

Welcome to Serenity Harbor by Delsora Lowe and friends

Two lives, one legacy—the lure of Parkers Point in Serenity Harbor, Maine brings Grayson Mann and Lauralee Adler together

One runs from …

Inheriting his grandfather’s property on the rocky point in Serenity Harbor, Maine is the perfect escape from the biggest professional disaster of Grayson’s life. Will distance and space help Gray heal old family and professional wounds enough to open his heart to love?

One runs toward …

Lauralee struggles to save the family art gallery as she watches her aunt succumb to Alzheimer’s. Returning to Serenity Harbor is payment for the kindness that saved her life and soul. Now she’s on a quest to find her father. Will this trip home help her learn to trust and finally convince Lee she can truly belong for the first time in her life?

Buy Links

Welcome to Serenity Harbor can be found on all major sites, including Amazon, Kobo, BN, iBooks.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

If you have any questions or comments for Delsora Lowe,
please post them below, and she will get back to you.

Awesome Romance Author Vicki Batman

The post Awesome Romance Author Delsora Lowe appeared first on Zara West Suspense.

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 13, 2016 22:39

November 8, 2016

Awesome Romance Author Hywela Lyn

Zara West Suspense

My awesome romance author this week is fellow Wild Rose, Hywela Lyn! Hwela lives in England and writes futuristic paranormal romance. In her interview, Hywela shares her love of nature and animals, and how a love of hunky cowboys led her to write about hunky spacemen. Hywela Lyn shares her third book and newest release Beloved Enemy.

Take it away Hywela…

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I now live in a small village in England, with my long suffering husband Dave, although my heart remains in my native rural Wales, whose colourful legends and rugged scenery inspired much of my writing. I really miss Wales and my family there and go back to visit as often as I can.

Although most of my writing tends to be futuristic, the worlds I dream up are usually untainted by crowded cities and technology, embracing the beauty and wildness of nature. My characters often have to fight the elements and the terrain itself. However difficult the journey, love will always win in the end.

My debut novel, a science fiction/fantasy romance released by the Wild Rose Press was followed by a sequel Children Of The Mist. A third novel Beloved Enemy, released in March 2016, continues what has now become a series known as The Destiny Trilogy.

I am a member of The Romantic Novelists’ Association (UK) and my local writing group, Chiltern Writers.

What do you do when you are not writing?

I love all animals and am blessed with two horses, a ‘feral’ stable cat, and a rescued terrier, who manages to twist me round his little paw. When I’m not writing, I can usually be found enjoying the outdoors with the horses and dog, tending my small garden, reading, or just eating chocolate!

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I originally wanted to write historical westerns. I love anything connected with the Old West, and of course the handsome, hunky cowboys and beautiful horses had something to do with it!

However at the time, there was no marked for westerns in the U.K. I have always been fascinated by the stars and the idea of space exploration, and it occurred to me that future space explorers could be compared to the pioneers of the old west—brave men and women facing unknown dangers in unexplored territory. I read a lot of books by the masters of science fiction, such as Isaac Asimov, Arthur C Clarke, Ray Bradbury, Anne McCaffrey, etc. as well as fantasy such as Tolkein’s Lord of The Rings Trilogy and Michael Moorcock’s Elric—the Stormbringer Saga.

I became captivated with tales of adventures among the stars, and inspired by films like Star Wars and Star Trek, so decided to try my hand at writing my own brand of ‘space opera’. Inevitably, everything I write turns into a romance and it is so much fun creating adventures in space and on distant planets for a hero and heroine who are destined to fall in love.

What project are you working on now?

I’m departing slightly from science fiction romance, although it’s still ‘paranormal’. I’m combining two of my favourite subjects, horses and homeland, Wales. It’s a ghost story set on a Welsh horse and pony stud, in the present day—and one of the ghosts is a bit of a match maker.

Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?

I do get very fond of my characters. My first book Starquest, started out as a short story, but I got so involved with my main character Jess, I had to write more and it turned into a full length novel. Then I realized one of the minor characters in Starquest had a story to tell too, and I also wanted to find out more about her home planet, so I wrote Children of The Mist, featuring Jess’s friend Tamarith and the planet Niflheim.

One of the main male characters in Starquest lost out in the love stakes, so I gave him his own story in the third novel in what has now become the ‘Destiny Trilogy’, Beloved Enemy. So I have already gone back to these characters, and I feel this series is now complete—but I have to admit to being rather attached to all the crew of the starship Destiny, as well as the ship itself, so who knows? Never say never!

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Finish your first draft while the inspiration is fresh, leave it for a while, and then go back and rewrite and self-edit as much as you can before giving it to a number of trusted readers for honest feedback. You don’t have to follow their suggestions if you disagree of course, but if several people say the same thing you might be wise to take note. Everyone gets rejections so if at first you don’t succeed – ask yourself if there is anything you can do to improve the story, make any improvements you can, and send it out again. Never give up

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Just—thank you for buying my books – and a special thank you to everyone who has taken the trouble to write a review, it means so much when someone says they’ve enjoyed something I wrote. If my book enables someone to escape their problems for a few hours, and brings a smile to their face when they reach the ‘happy ever after’, that is the greatest reward, as a writer, I could ever have.

Thank you so much for having me on your blog today, I enjoyed meeting you, and look forward to returning the favour when you visit the ‘Flight Deck.’

BELOVED ENEMY
by Hywela Lyn

Cat Kincaid is obsessed with killing the man she believes is responsible for the torture and death of her sister, but when she eventually catches up with him, survival becomes a greater priority than revenge.

Kerry Marchant, haunted by memories, regret, and self-blame, shields himself from the pain of the past by committing himself totally to the starship, Destiny, of which he is part owner. However, the beautiful, red-haired woman who reminds him of his lost love, and who he suspects is working for a corrupt regime, represents a possible threat not only to the ship, but to his heart.

Marooned on an inhospitable planet, they need to work together to stay alive, fighting not only unknown assailants, but their growing attraction. But how can they learn to trust each other when he has vowed never to get close to a woman again, and she made a solemn pledge to destroy him?

Buy Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Wild Rose Press

Find out more about Hywela Lyn and her novels

Website: http://www.hywelalyn.co.uk

Blog: http://www.hywelalyn.blogspot.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/HywelaLynAuthor/?pnref=lhc

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hywela_Lyn

If you have any questions or comments for Hywela Lyn,
please post them below the trailer, and she will get back to you.

Awesome Romance Author Sorchia DuBois

Awesome Romance Author Susan Muller

All Fired Up for NaNoWri: How I’m getting ready

The post Awesome Romance Author Hywela Lyn appeared first on Zara West Suspense.

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 08, 2016 22:05

November 5, 2016

Fast Drafting My Way to The End of NaNoWri

Zara West Suspense

My first novel, written as a respite from working on my dissertation, took me five years to write. My second novel took seven years to write. Using fast drafting, my third novel took one month.

What made the difference? Fast drafting.

Fast drafting is the writing process in which you throw out everything you’ve learned about good writing and just write whatever crazy, horrible, wonderful thoughts come spilling out of your head. You don’t stop to do research. You don’t stop to reread. You don’t stop to go back and fix something. You just write. But the question is: How do you know what to write and not end up with a mishmash?

What makes fast drafting work? Good planning at the start and great editing at the end.
Planning for Fast Drafting

I don’t think that I would have been as successful in my first NaNoWri if I hadn’t written the two slow pokes first. I learned a lot about writing between them and all the writing courses I took during those years. For one thing I learned how to plot.

My first two novels are what I would call meandering. Since they were historical fiction, I got buried in the research. I got enamored with writing beautiful settings and long sections of internal thought full of metaphors and literary references. Many chapters existed only to share some of that incredible information I uncovered or to weave in a particular place or quote. Originally these novels topped out at 170,000 words or there about.

Fast Drafting Plot Planning: Stage One ACTION

Now I know that the action must come first. Forget setting. Forget angst. I write a bare-bones sloppy synopsis or what I call a fairy tale version of my novel. I imagine I am sitting around a campfire and making up a fairy tale to entertain a group of antsy kids in the format of first this happened and then that happened and then this and that until bang there’s a horrible villain and a catastrophe and oops a terrible choice that leads to a heroic deed and then an ending – a happy one, of course. I write romance.

Why does this work? The structure of fairy tales is believed by many researchers to be hardwired into our psyches. At least in my case, I know this is true as I grew up on a steady diet of fairy tales, especially Grimms. For a more professional take on this: the this and that and thens are called plot points and there are a ton of wonderful websites and books explaining them. Check out Larry Brook’s StoryFix website, for helpful examples of plot points and story structure, or take Carol Hughes workshop Deep Story I offered this coming April.

Illustration by Hope Dunlop from The Little Prince

Next I take that synopsis, paste into my NaNoWri draft document, and put line breaks between the sentences and label them ACTION. Here is an example from my NaNo draft

CHAPTER Setting The Siren POV Alba
ACTION Hanger is missing. Alba goes to The Siren to get help

Fast Drafting Plot Planning: Stage Two GMC

I head each sentence with the word CHAPTER. I identify a possible setting and the POV character. Then the POV character’s goal(s) for that chapter, his or her motivation for achieving that goal, and what’s going to prevent or hinder the character from achieving that goal. Debra Dixon is my resource for this. Here is my GMC from the same chapter:

Goal– Find Hanger
Motivation – furious/worried/he could be injured or dead
Conflict –Alba has gala that night and she must go

Fast Drafting Plot Planning: Stage Three Dilemma

I can’t remember what course I took that made me realize how important the dilemma is in plotting. The dilemma is the hard choice the POV character has to make by the end of the chapter to obtain the goal or at least get closer to it. A dilemma is stated as an either/or choice. It often becomes the hook that leads into the next chapter, especially if the choice is really dangerous or the wrong one. If you have great dilemmas for each chapter, the story will write itself. From the same chapter:

D – Go to Gala or go look for Hanger

Fast Drafting Plot Planning: Stage Four: Make it Simple

Now here’s the way to put this all together so you can sit down and fast draft. I happen to use Word so I make the CHAPTER ACTION SETTING POV info a Heading 1, and the GMC + D a Heading 2. Now all I have to do is open the FIND Navigation box and there it is – an outline of my novel. This way I can keep the plot right in front of me as I write. I can see where I have been and where I am going. Fast Draft Header System

Have you ever fast drafted?
What are some tricks you use.

The post Fast Drafting My Way to The End of NaNoWri appeared first on Zara West Suspense.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 05, 2016 10:13

November 2, 2016

Awesome Romance Author Sorchia DuBois

Zara West Suspense

My awesome romance author this week is fellow Wild Rose, Sorchia DuBois! Sorchia is Missouri girl who writes paranormal romance. In her interview, Sorchia shares about living in the country, why she writes, and how Tarot cards help her plot. Sorchia DuBois has just released a new paranormal featuring a globe trotting fortune teller, Zoraida Grey and the Family Stones.

So Sorchia…

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I live in southern Missouri waaaaay back in the woods. It’s a beautiful spot, but quite a distance from civilization. The nearest shopping center of any size is 100 miles away though smaller ones exist closer—30 miles or so. I’m actually considering moving out of the area. Looking for a nice place to go, but haven’t landed on a new location yet. Suggestions appreciated.

I taught English at local high schools, community colleges, and online for many years, but writing is what I really wanted to do when I grew up. About 5 years ago, I decided it was do or die time and I haven’t questioned that decision. This is one reason I’m thinking of moving—the writing community around here is sparse and it’s a long way to book signings and conventions.

I have a couple of grown kids who come home occasionally to eat and to do laundry. Eight cats and a husband live in my house, also.

Where do you get your ideas?

Sometimes a phrase or situation will trigger an idea for a character or a plot. Once I have a smidgeon of an idea, I drag out a deck of tarot cards and my character charts and start building characters. I think good characters are the most important thing—the plot will unfold as I get to know these characters. What do they want? What is in their way? How do they try to overcome obstacles? What

are their habits—good and bad? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Those questions and more get me started. I draw a card to help me find answers for each one. I read tarot as a hobby—though I don’t pretend to be an expert. Often I give away tarot readings in contests or just do them for fun at FaceBook parties.

Can you tell us about any other upcoming books, series, or writing plans?

I’m working on the second book in my Zoraida Grey series. Book 1, Zoraida Grey and the Family Stones, was released on October 28 and I hope to have Books 2 and 3 out by the end of 2017. The series is about a small-town fortune teller who goes on a quest to recover a stolen crystal for her ailing Granny. The quest takes her to haunted Castle Logan in Scotland where she learns more than she wants to know about her family history. Book 2—Zoraida Grey and the Voodoo Queen—takes Zoraida to the Caribbean and the Yucatan Jungle as she gathers help and Book 3—Zoraida Grey and the Pictish Runes—finds her back in Scotland bent on revenge. After that, I think I will do something in the mystery line—always with a dab of paranormal, a skoosh of romance, and a helping of anything Scottish.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

Zoraida Grey and the Family Stones just hit the shelves last week and I’m working on the next two books in the series. In my new release, Zoraida goes to Scotland to steal a crystal from a haunted castle. I really enjoyed researching and writing about the castle and the ghosts therein. I didn’t want to use a real castle, so Castle Logan in the book is a fictional place. I built it using bits and pieces of real castles and magical things I made up. It is my perfect castle with an enchanted ballroom floor, a mysterious tower, an oubliette, portraits of ancestors, crystal doorknobs that contain the souls of Logan enemies…just everything I would want if I was building a castle for real. The spooky bits were particularly fun. I like to add humor whenever I can, even in tense situations. Zoraida and her friend—both of them small town girls far from home—react to the strange place in unexpected ways. I enjoyed writing about their friendship and how they work together in extreme circumstances.

Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?

My first book, Just Like Gravity, is about reincarnation and Karma. It follows the protagonist, Anna, through three lifetimes. In the book, Anna has no idea she is reliving a pattern that has ended in tragedy at least twice before. She’s come to Scotland to hike the Great Glen Way with her daughter and to try to find the source of her nightmares. What she finds is a surly Scotsman and an ancient tower that chills her to the bone. I love the idea of following a character through several lifetimes and I would like to explore that idea more. I fell in love with the main characters in Just Like Gravity, too, and had a hard time letting them go. The book is a romance and I enjoyed watching the new relationship develop between Anna and a man who had been her lover in past lives.

Zoraida Grey and the Family Stones

Book 1 in the Zoraida Grey series.

by Sorchia DuBois

Granny’s dying, but Zoraida can save her with a magic crystal of smoky quartz. Too bad the crystal is in Scotland––in a haunted castle––guarded by mind-reading, psychopathic sorcerers.

Getting inside Castle Logan is easy. Getting out––not so much. Before she can snatch the stone, Zoraida stumbles into a family feud, uncovers a wicked ancient curse, and finds herself ensorcelled by not one but two handsome Scottish witches. Up to their necks in family intrigue and smack-dab in the middle of a simmering clan war, Zoraida and her best friend Zhu discover Granny hasn’t told them everything.

Not by a long shot.

Buy Links

Amazon | Wild Rose Press

Find Sorchia DuBois

Blog/Website: www.SorchiaDubois.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorchiaDubois

Pinterest:www.pinterest.com/SorchiaDubois/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SorchiaD

If you have any questions or comments for Sorchia DuBois, please post them below, and she will get back to you.

Related Posts

Awesome Romance Author Barbara Barrett

Awesome Romance Author Isabella Laase

Awesome Romance Writer: Ashantay Peters

The post Awesome Romance Author Sorchia DuBois appeared first on Zara West Suspense.

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 02, 2016 03:26

November 1, 2016

I Am Ready to Write Within the Skin!

Zara West Suspense

Ready. Set. Go.

Starting tomorrow I will begin working on Book 3 in the Skin Quartet series Within the Skin. This is the romantic suspense love story of Toro and Fur Tree and focuses on street art. El Toro is such a complex character I can wait to get her down on paper. So…

Got my plot. Got my characters. Got my GMC outline. Got my alarm set. Everything appears ready for me to dive in and write my first 2000 words (Technically you need to write 1533 a day for NaNoWri, but I aim for 2000 words a day – that way I get ahead a bit for the days I can’t write for some reason or other.)

Problem is I also have a dentist appointment, a sister visiting from Scotland, the last broccoli and chard to harvest from the garden, and pizza night with the whole family. Not to mention constant interruptions from children, husband, and telephones. I don’t want to hear one more political robot, please!

See that’s one of the problems with being a writer. You do everything to get into the flow and then BAM something happens to interrupt or distract, and if you haven’t reached your word total, you’re cooked. Or at least I am.

Here are somethings I do to get back into the flow.

Do a 1 mile walk, either outside or inside (I use Walk at Home with Leslie Samsome). As I walk I start to think myself back into the story.
I type some gibberish until the flow starts up. It’s a fast draft. Plenty of words will be cut before it’s done.
I reread the last paragraph I wrote (no more than that or I get into edit mode and my writing speed slows to a crawl)
I reread my outline – especially the dilemma.
I do a journal entry in the POV character’s voice about what they think should happen next.
I skip to the next exciting event.
I give up and promise to write more words the next day by getting up earlier.(My most usual choice.)

Anyone have any other suggestions on how deal with interruptions while fast drafting?
Leave a comment or two!

The post I Am Ready to Write Within the Skin! appeared first on Zara West Suspense.

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on November 01, 2016 09:30

October 29, 2016

All Fired Up for NaNoWri: How I’m getting ready

Zara West Suspense

NaNoWri or National Novel Writing Month starts on Tuesday. This will be my third year participating. I don’t know why, but somehow tracking words and trying to attain the 50,000 word challenge in 30 days just gets my blood flowing and the creative juices oozing. So I am getting set for the race to the finish.

NOTE: If you don’t know what NaNoWriMo stands for, here’s a brief overview. NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. The idea was born when some writers in California got together and gave each other the challenge to write a book in a month. Today, the goal of NaNoWriMo is to write a 50,000 word novel during one of the hardest writing months of the year, November with all the holiday preparations going on. The idea is that if you can write a book in November, you can write a book at any month of the year.

NaNo is also unique because a huge group of people are aiming at this goal at the same time! The energy is tremendous. People everywhere in the world are banging away, struggling to write their story all at the same time. There are Facebook groups and RWA groups and local writing groups all participating. Although there is a 50,000 word goal, many people use Novel Writing month to edit, to write multiple short stories, or to finish a story they have already started. Learn more at the website at http://nanowrimo.org

So this is how I’m preparing for this year’s challenge.

In October, I took a course in using journaling to develop characters and used my journal entries to dig into the psyches of my main characters. I have many, many pages of notes and a whole lot of tidbits in my head about the strengths and foibles of my people,. And I do mean people. By this piint they are like a real friends and enemies running around in my head.
I wrote a very sloppy synopsis- kind of like telling the story to a friend. This happens and then that happens and so on.
I pasted the synopsis into my NaNo draft and broke the events/actions into pseudo chapters. I can’t seem to get myself to drop the chapter format. But since I alternate POVs in every chapter it does work out okay. And I don’t number them. I make them HEADERS. That way if the find panel is open you can see the chapter and POV and setting right there.
I write the Goal/Motivation/Conflict and the Dilemma for each “chapter” and make those Header 2s. I find the Dilemma is very important. This is the choice the POV character has to make by the end of the chapter/scene. Like – Will I kiss him or not? Will I hide from the bad guy or attack him? That choice will drive what happens in the next chapter.

And that’s it. On November 1 I will sit down and start hitting the keys as fast as I can. If I go blank or get stuck I stick in 4 XXXXs and move on. Later I can search out those XXXX spots when the thought hits on what to do.

So for now. I am dreaming my story and getting my fingers going by writing this post. I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know by posting a comment.

Are you doing NaNoWri? How do you prepare?

Awesome Romance Author Susan Muller

Awesome Romance Author Terri Reed

The post All Fired Up for NaNoWri: How I’m getting ready appeared first on Zara West Suspense.