Kimberly Fish's Blog, page 4

Drum Roll, please

Harmon General, the WII historical fiction that is a patriotic feel-good novel about uncommonly brave women, is tip-toeing toward bookshelves. I've become enamored of a bookshop in Kilgore, Texas and Harmon General is going to get it's first taste for book signings this weekend, June 16th when fellow author and bookstore owner, Stephen Woodfin, welcomes us in. And then the publicity tour begins--whew. I hold my breath for those events because I so want to entertain readers with these books, but also know that "entertaining with history" is a subjective process. So, giving Harmon General a kiss for good luck and offering it to readers who like a fast-paced, dialogue driven novel that reveals our culture and history from the not-so-distant past.

Final Production Days for Harmon General

There was a big learning curve when I decided to be in charge of my book's production. I'd watched the Print On Demand industry evolve over the years, and after writing The Big Inch (and realizing I wanted it to debut in time for the pipeline's 75th anniversary) I knew the only way to get the book into the market was to tackle the process myself. Through much trial and error, The Big Inch rolled out in time and I soon followed that with my sophomore book release, Comfort Plans (now a 2018 Best Historical Romance award winner!) Having two successful book launches under my belt might lead one to think that I knew what I was doing--but yet again, I'm back at the chalkboard studying production steps and better ways to maximize my efforts.

Harmon General, the novel due out mid-June, has some interesting components that made writing and now producing it, a little more nuanced. For one thing, it's a sequel so I had to be intentional in writing the plot and characters to satisfy those who enjoyed reading The Big Inch, and also be engaging for those who's first encounter with my books might be this one. Second, I had to cement some locations and historical references I included in The Big Inch because readers remember details.

Creating a 1943-era map of Longview and marking where I've set imaginary places and where the actual landmarks are has been a sticky process too. And I can't promise you I've got it right yet. Stick with me though, the book release party is just weeks away and we'll have a something big to celebrate!

Comfort Plans Wins 2018 Best Historical Romance Award

How exciting to share the big news about Comfort Plans' big win! Thanks to the group Texas Authors, Comfort Plans was awarded 2018 Best Historical Romance award. This is my second novel, and quite the departure from the WWII fiction of The Big Inch. Because I love historical context, Comfort Plans has a rich backstory of early immigration to the Texas Hill Country, and the imprint left by those needing to reinvent themselves among the limestone and prickly pear cactus around Comfort, Texas. Twenty-five years ago I used to drive those hilly roads peeking into a landscape that was foreign to this Georgia girl, and fascinated by the grit of the German settlers who chose to get off the wagon trails in a land filled with cougars, bears, and Mexican soldiers. The testament to that era was still seen in the architecture of the farms and small towns, and I would run my fingers along those limestone walls and listen for the echoes from the past. I'm weird that way.

The idea of turning one of those farmsteads into a modern family retreat is not unique--it's done countless times a year in the Hill Country, and I chose to set a mulish builder and a historical preservation architect (one who had been derailed from knots coming undone) among one of those old houses needing restoration--just to see what would happen. What happened was a fun ride through the ins/outs of historical preservation, home construction, and power struggles, but also the reinvention of a woman who needed to prove herself. Comfort Plans is as much about a woman finding her own identity, as it is about a house shedding it's secrets. Family dramas, charming characters, and treasure also keep the story hopping and I hope that you as a reader, enjoy it as much as I did in writing it. This is the first time in my life I can say I've written an award-winning book, and I'm honored and thrilled that Comfort Plans opened that door.

Finding an Audible voice for Character in The Big Inch

I've been working with a professional actor, talking through characterization, place, and nuance about the characters of my debut novel, The Big Inch, as we prepare to go into production for Audible. Because many of the characters in The Big Inch are Texan, and many have southern roots, you'd think it would be easy. Au Contraire. This roster of distinctive voices would give any actor a challenge. Since a listener can't see who's talking from the sentence structure, it's up to the narrator to give vocal cues and--here's the kicker--maintain those cues through hours and hours of a dialogue-based novel. God Bless the woman who's taking on this opportunity and her knack for mimicking the distinctives of a regional accent that needs just enough variation between the old and young women, those that are celebrating their southern roots, and those that are hiding from them.

To be fair, when I was writing The Big Inch, I never dreamed it would one day become an Audible book that would rely on a strong vocal actor bringing the characters to life for those listening while stuck in traffic or on an extended road trip. I trusted my reader's imagination. Now, though, I'm trusting someone to give sass and vigor to people that previously existed in my head. Stay tuned, I'll keep you in the loop as to how this is progressing, and what some of the tips I'm using to inspire the narrator to hear the characters as they sound inside my imagination.

The In-Between Time

I'm in between professional critiques and a final edit for the new novel, Harmon General, and find myself with lots of time available that I can't devote to my WIP, Harmon General. So, what's a writer to do??
Call me crazy, but I've started playing around with the next book idea, taking the characters who walked onto the page in The Big Inch, reveled in the limelight with Harmon General, and now are wanting to know what fun they can get up to next. So, I'm letting them explore another plot. I'm not sure this will turn into a Book 3, or if it's just me working off nervous energy, but one thing is definite, Zeke and Lane are not done yet, and it may be time to tell Zeke's story for readers. I may not get back to these pages after next month once the last leg of production goes forward for Harmon General, but this has been fun, and I'll let you know what comes of it.

So looking forward to this movie!

If you love books, and movies, and period dramas, and England, well, I just know, you'll look forward to this movie release like I will. How about after the show, we talk about our favorite scenes, and how books and movies come together, and what it takes to make a compelling and memorable story? Please, let's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTDNG...

A writing hole

I apologize to those internet wanderers who may have landed on my page and expected a little more engagement. These past several months I've put myself in a writing hole and periodically come up for sunshine and cookies, but don't as often pop over to the blog and social media outlets. Hopefully, you'll see that as a good sign, that there will be a new book this year and those who've enjoyed The Big Inch will get another brush with some of their favorite characters in the historical fiction novel, Harmon General. There's a tentative release date for spring, but I will post more information as it becomes available. Thanks for remaining friendly with this writer, and I hope to spend more time with you as we nosh on the news about Harmon General.

The Royals

I'm as guilty as the next girl, always feel better about the world when a "royal" falls in love. Congrats to Prince Harry and his American fiancee, hope they defy the odds and have a beautiful life together.

Map Making 101

Not that I’ve found one, but I could really use a Dummy’s Guide to Making a Map. My novel, The Big Inch, is a WWII historical fiction and it utilizes real places in the city of Longview, Texas. Imaginary characters climb the stairs, stare off the rooftops, and gaze over lake surfaces in the very places that actual people walk every day. As I write the sequel to The Big Inch, called Harmon General, I’ve decided to add a map to the front of the new book–just as a reference for those who are curious about the context of the plot and locations mentioned. So, here are my questions. How much detail should go on the map? How accurate to mileage and longitudinal details does it need to be? And, if buildings sited in the 1940s no longer exist, how do I place them on the map? Do I create a walking map for readers to go to actual addresses, or just a loose approximation of location so that folks reading the book can visualize a general area?

You can see I have a problem that needs noodling, so if you have a suggestion for map creation, feel free to let me know.

A Peek Into This Writer's Life

Turn away, and look elsewhere. I’m warning you, it’s a mess in here. My desk is divided with stacks of real life work (I’m freelance writer with clients that want their work turned around when they want it, despite my desire to be sitting there writing fiction,) and stacks of whatever tidbits of research I’ve found that will help in developing authenticity for the novel I’m writing. Like every other writer on the planet, I wish I could spend all day with my characters and plot developments, augmented by copious amounts of chocolate. But reality is complicated. Still, all those papers, all those scribbled notes, and those snippets of conversation between characters in my head (always at the most unfortunate time,) are an important thread in my life. They’re pulling me to the dream I’ve always longed to fulfill, and Praise God!, I do get to have time to write fiction. And the craziest thing of all, is that readers are opening my books and staying with my stories. I’ve met people in the grocery store, church, civic meetings, and restaurants who’ve told me they liked the Big Inch and when was the sequel coming out.This is like throwing gasoline on a fire. I’m so excited about what’s to come with this writer’s life, and I hope you’ll stick with me for the journey.