Michele Summers's Blog, page 3

WRITING BLOG HOP...MY TURN!

Welcome Romance Readers! 

I'm excited to be participating in a fun blog hop with some of my author peeps where I answer questions about the writing process.

Laura Simcox passed the blog my way. (that's her signing books at RT14!) Laura is a member of RWA, Heart of Carolina Chapter with me, AND we're critique partners. She's the Pollyanna to my Renegade. All that means is she always has something nice to say, and uh...I don't. Anyway, Laura writes funny, laugh out loud romance. Check her out at: www.laurasimcox.com OR click on her cute picture on the left. Her latest book is Various States of Undress; Carolina with Avon. And it's a good one! Now, for those questions...hmmm, let me think.
What am I currently working on?
I'm currently writing the third book in the Harmony Homecomings series (Sourcebooks Casablanca.) 
The first one, Find My Way Home releases July 1st! *giddy with happiness* After reading about Bertie and Keith's funny adventure and attraction, Not So New in Town will follow and release in February 2015. Lucy and Brogan are both coming home with no intentions of staying. And finally, there's Vance and Katie's story and things get complicated and heated as Vance tries to finish his third bestseller and Katie messes with his creative muse. Oh yeah. It's hard to write when you're so distracted...right?

How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I write for entertainment purposes only, so, my writing has to contain lots of humor. If I'm not laughing while I'm writing, then you won't when you read it. My heroine and hero are witty and sharp (and yet they can't see past their noses sometime...they always need my help). They're relate-able and coupled with their quick wit, deep down, they have really big hearts.

Why do I write what I do?
Again, it's all about entertainment for me. When I read romance, I want to be entertained and have a good laugh. The real world is always waiting when I finish, so it's nice to escape (if only for  a little while) and live out a fantasy or two. I try and write for the same reasons. I mean, come on, show of hands...how many of us wish we were that girl with that guy? Don't leave me hanging... I know you feel the same way. ;-))

How does my writing process work?
Um, not well. I'm a complete disaster. I try something different every time I sit down to write a new book. I'm always looking for the perfect process, the best organizational techniques. And I never stick to whatever it is I think I've discovered. I'm the anti-smart writer. My files are not in logical order on my computer where I can easily pull them up. 

For me, writing is a messy, messy job. I'm very visual and tactile with lots of papers and files scattered all over, under and around my desk, spilling out into the hall from my office. I'm obsessed with notepads and notebooks and I'm an OCD list-maker. So, I jot lots of thoughts down only to immediately forget where I wrote them. I"m telling you, it's not pretty.

In a nutshell, I write what I call: Plot to Finish, a very short, not very detailed synopsis (about 2 pages long) on what my story is about. I fill out notebooks or notecards on my characters physical attributes as well as their internal conflicts, likes, dislikes, fears, etc. This also includes important secondary characters. 

Once I've established who everyone is and what roles they play (for now), I'll look up pictures online to get a visual of their town, city, home, school, workplace, kitchen, bedroom...you get the idea. Remember, I'm very visual. Then, guess what? I dive right in. Told you...not the best process. After I've written a few chapters, things start to change and my characters start arguing with me and sometimes they misbehave. At this point, I throw up my hands and walk away...could be for days. 

Eventually, I come back and start over with my Plot to Finish process, except this time around, I'll use dry erase boards. I have 3 near my desk at all times. I like them because it's easy to erase and move my lists around. (and I like the way the markers squeak). And I also keep a calendar on my desk where I plot each scene/action, so I can keep my timeline straight. Others use calendars on their computers. Not me. Mine is really cute and pink and has these neat columns for my lists. It's awesome. I take great pleasure in buying a new one each year. 

That's my scary process and I'm sure if other writers read this they will shake their heads and probably pity me. It's okay.

Now, I'm gonna let you hop on over to the next author...

DONNA STEELE
The Infection: Book one of the Melting series
Donna writes science fiction, paranormal romances and small town romances often with an eco-twist. She writes about women coming into their strength and having the courage to find and accept love.

As an empty nester with her beloved best friend and husband (who actually encourages her mad passion) She writes all the time – whether or not she has a pen or keyboard handy.
You can visit Donna at: www.steelestories.com OR click on her cute picture!

JOIN MY NEWSLETTER

I know, I know another newsletter. One more thing to open in your email and suck your time reading. But this won't be your typical newsletter...you have my word!  First of all, it won't even go out very often, and by not very often I mean like only 3 or 4 times a year. That's not so bad, right? And those few times I do send it out, it won't be very wordy. Don't laugh. I promise to only announce new releases, contests and sneak peeks of what's coming next. I'll make sure it's worth your precious time to "look" over. (Promise lots of pretty pictures too.) So, what do you say? Wanna sign up? Just click on the envelopes or go to this link: 
http://eepurl.com/VOOK9 Speaking of great announcements...
FIND MY WAY HOME 
releases in less than 29 days!!! Yippy Yiy YAY!! If you haven't already, go to Amazon or Barnes & Noble and pre-order your copy today. 
http://www.amazon.com/Find-Way-Home-H...

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/find-...

Looking forward to hearing back from you.

RT14 AND OTHER FUN THINGS...

Can't believe I just spent a week in NOLA at the RT Book Lovers Convention going to parties, meeting new readers and telling everyone about Find My Way Home, coming this July.  It was wonderful being with my fun and energetic editor, Deb Werksman from Sourcebooks and meeting all the other amazing talent at Sourcebooks that help behind the scenes. What a great staff and I couldn't do any of this without them.

As for NOLA...it was so nice to escape to that magical city. We had great food and drinks and really cool music. Everything you'd expect and more.
My favorite picture below. Loving all the iron work and details. 

Great party sponsored by Sourcebooks for booksellers and librarians. A good time had by all.

Happy reading until RT15 in Dallas!

MY FIRST GIVEAWAY...

Who doesn't like something for free? I know I get all giddy inside when I think I have a chance to win something. Anything. Tickets, Earrings, Gift Card. 
Well, go to Goodreads and enter to win Find My Way Home. Five copies are being given away and you could be a winner!

Click on book cover (on the right) and check it out. 
Good Luck and I hope you win a book. But more than that, I hope you enjoy reading my first novel as much as I enjoyed writing it. 

Thanks!

NOLA...HERE I COME!

Nothing could be finer than to be in New Orleans! Heading to the RT Booklovers Convention next week and I'm giddy with excitement! Hope some of you voracious readers will be joining me. I can't wait to meet many of you and share some good stories along with some great food. 

Food Glorious Food! I can't be in NOLA without mapping out my food intake. (scary, I know...but I'm all about great food.) And no place does it better than NOLA. 

Haven't been back in over ten years; so, I'm not quite sure where I plan to eat, but I'll manage to hunt down the best Po' Boys, creole, beignets, pralines, gumbo, spicy red beans and rice, and muffulettas, I promise...I'm getting hungry just writing about it.


The last time I visited New Orleans, I studied the incredible architecture and interiors. The Garden District was a dream come true to my interior designer pattering heart. Beautifully appointed old homes with wrought iron balconies, columns, and shuttered windows, all with the proper proportions and old elegance we just don't see anymore. These lovely homes dripping in history tell a fantastic story.  How can I not love NOLA? Food, architecture, music, history and BOOK LOVERS! YAY! 
I'm looking forward to taking my own pictures and sharing with you.

Hope to see you there and if not, then back here where we can reminisce. 

RT BOOKLOVERS CONVENTION
MARRIOTT, CANAL STREET

COME ON DOWN!

JUST AROUND THE CORNER...

Wow. What a journey this year has been. From receiving the long-awaited phone call (yes, we'd like to buy your books) to all the writing, editing, scheduling, preparing...the list goes on and on. It's been a whirlwind at the very least. But in less than two weeks, I'll be heading to NOLA for the RT Convention. https://www.rtconvention.com/ 
Never attended one of these, but from what I hear...it's going to be so awesome! Hope some of you will be joining us and attending the parties, events and pub crawls. I can't wait to meet other fabulous authors and most especially, the readers. For without you guys, we probably wouldn't write as long or as hard. Some of us would still write, because to them, writing is like breathing in and out, but maybe others would not be as motivated without the reading audience to spur them on. So, to all you devoted readers out there:  YOU ROCK!!! And for all my loyal friends and fans...it's coming!!! Check out my first book in the Harmony Homecomings Series! FIND MY WAY HOME.  I'm more than thrilled that this one is the first in the series; it holds a special place in my heart. (as well as the second one...hmmm, and maybe the third one). As I write each one, I fall in love with my characters and it's hard to decide. ;-)))
http://www.amazon.com/Find-Way-Home-Harmony-Homecomings/dp/1402293550/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1398870532&sr=1-1&keywords=michele+summers

Stay tuned...an excerpt is coming soon!

Testing the market!!

Testing, testing.

THE HOUSE(S) THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF...

I'm in the process of writing the third book in the Harmony Homecomings series and as always I have to start with the house. The place where everyone goes. The heart of the family.
The star.
I know you're thinking what about the hunky hero? Or what about the cute heroine? That's what the story is really all about. Well, yes and no. Of course, we're engaged in their story and we're rooting for their HEA. But for me, that house plays an important role too. As a setting, it becomes a character. A really strong character. Maybe it stems from my day job: Interior Design. 
I mean I work really hard on making other people's homes comfortable and beautiful, trying to evoke the feeling of well-designed spaces that inspire and enhance the daily lives of my clients. So, it's only natural the homes in my imagination, that appear on my pages, feel the same way. Right?  Besides, it's a great way to "live" inside all these interesting homes without ever having to pack a box or hold another garage sale. (of which I have done more my fair share!) I can design the dream home of my heart without spending a dime! Heady stuff...let me tell you. 
Check out this "country" kitchen...featured in my third book. Picture it with 3 small children, a small white dog and an adopted kitten all running around.  Now picture it with spilled milk and Fruit Loops littering a black and white checkered floor and well, you get the idea. Pretty cool, huh? Now, relax in this well-appointed master bath and you can relate to where the heroine goes after the end of crazy-kid-filled days. My master bath doesn't resemble the one in my book...at all. But just because mine lacks personality and that killer brass tub doesn't mean my heroines have to suffer too. Dream a little dream. 
Get the picture?

MY BOOK FOUND ITS WAY HOME!!!

Imagine my surprise when I opened my  front door on Friday afternoon to see a packaged addressed to me on the porch. Having no clue what it was I starting jumping for joy after opening it. Inside was 10 ARC's of FIND MY WAY HOME! (my first book!) 

For those of you who write, you can relate to my pure excitement and sense of pride for you know what a long, arduous and somewhat lonely journey writing a book can be. The writing portion is all on you and can be at most times very frustrating and exhausting. But the publishing part takes a village, at the very least. And for a newbie like me, the process is very daunting. I learn something new everyday and the greatest of those lessons has been patience. Yep. Something anyone who knows me well (or not so well) will attest that I have zero of. Just ask my poor kids.  Anyway, receiving this bright, cute book with my words makes up for all the anguish, hair-pulling, confusion, sleepless nights and early morning writing sessions. Hope you will check it out. 

FIND MY WAY HOME can be pre-ordered through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Book One in the Harmony Homecoming Series

RELEASES: JULY 2014!!!

Can't wait!

THE BLANK PAGE

As much as I love this application for a unique hallway, sometimes my mind feels as blank as the white frames on the wall. The hint of an idea is there, lurking beneath all the other clutter that makes up my mind, but just like these beautifully, haunting white frames hanging on the wall, the picture has not made itself known to me. And when I say picture, I mean story line. But "picture" is also an appropriate word because writing fiction is a lot like picturing a story in my mind. Sometimes those pictures are as clear as the nose on my face and other times, they float in and around the inside of my head...just out of reach. Very frustrating to say the least. 

But have no fear! I've only lost my mind temporarily...I think. ;-) The ideas are starting to appear like a beautiful watercolor full of light, bright colors and bold brush strokes. And once the picture is perfectly formed, I will then be able to paint it with my words. Hopefully, this will happen sooner rather than later. Will keep you posted on my progress. Wish me luck!