Lisa DeVore's Blog
November 12, 2014
"Escaping Christmas"
I'm excited to announce the release today of ESCAPING CHRISTMAS! I started this book last January and did edits in July. This is my first Christmas book, so the experience of editing while I sat in front of a fan was a new one.
The story was actually inspired by a scary dream I had. I'm not a big fan of the woods or snow (and I live in Ohio!), so the scary was easy to write.
I had a difficult time coming up with the heroine's name...Alexandra Storm. I was sitting in the kitchen, deep in thought, when I heard my old dog walking across the floor. "Storm"...what a cool last name. Storm actually was my son's dog and his middle name is Alexander. Alexander became Alexandra...a combination of a young man and his dog. Yes, the crazy ways of picking out a name, but it fit. Storm passed away last month at nearly sixteen years old. This book has become a side tribute to our furry friend.
And, the relationship between Alexandra and her best friend, Tiffany, has a bit of realism with my best friend of 46 years. We tell it like it is! I've combined that with the relationships I have with the special women in my life (whom this book is dedicated to) and that part of the book was so easy to write.
I hope you enjoy this trip to Colorado where a young lady learns to trust and love again...and to finally stop "Escaping Christmas".
The story was actually inspired by a scary dream I had. I'm not a big fan of the woods or snow (and I live in Ohio!), so the scary was easy to write.
I had a difficult time coming up with the heroine's name...Alexandra Storm. I was sitting in the kitchen, deep in thought, when I heard my old dog walking across the floor. "Storm"...what a cool last name. Storm actually was my son's dog and his middle name is Alexander. Alexander became Alexandra...a combination of a young man and his dog. Yes, the crazy ways of picking out a name, but it fit. Storm passed away last month at nearly sixteen years old. This book has become a side tribute to our furry friend.
And, the relationship between Alexandra and her best friend, Tiffany, has a bit of realism with my best friend of 46 years. We tell it like it is! I've combined that with the relationships I have with the special women in my life (whom this book is dedicated to) and that part of the book was so easy to write.
I hope you enjoy this trip to Colorado where a young lady learns to trust and love again...and to finally stop "Escaping Christmas".
July 2, 2014
THANK YOU!
As I'm getting closer to the worldwide release of "Beautiful Music" (July 25th) I'd like to thank all of you who have taken the time to read, review, and leave comments. They are ALL appreciated!
I will admit it's never easy to read the negative about "your baby", but this is my debut and I have much to learn. I have found it extremely interesting to see the differences in opinion. Like all art, I suppose this is subjective as well. Constructive criticism is important and I thrive on it. I've corresponded with several of you and your suggestions, comments, and ideas have stuck with me. Some words of advice have been flowing through my mind as I edit my second book, "Escaping Christmas"...my latest contract.
Let me try to explain a little about Jena. I didn't try to create the perfect heroine. None of us are perfect and she had her imperfections as did Chase. Life's experiences create who we become and where we might go. Some have asked "how could she not know he was in a band?" Well, she lived on the other side of the country, was totally immersed in her career, was hurt, and wanted nothing to do with the hurt. She had much of it in her life. It was her way of dealing with pain...to shut it out. It was easier for her if he didn't exist in her mind. Being a "smart attorney" doesn't necessary mean you're smart in all aspects of your life.
As an observer of people my characters will not always be the "strong" type or may not act in the way you or I might. They are individuals and I allow the story to go through my fingers on the keyboard. I don't want to write the "cookie cutter" book that has the hero/heroine doing or being what they should. I want my reader to think, "I can't believe she did that!" or "What are they thinking?" I want you to read along as they grow up, learn, experience life. Some of you may not think what Jena did was realistic, but doing exactly as we think she should is not realistic either. In life we are all individuals with choices. There's the fun in it for me. As a reader we watch from the outside looking in. We "see" what they cannot. OH! How times in reality I've looked at someone and thought "wake up!".
I've had great feedback on my supporting cast and I loved writing about them. Mrs. R. was probably my favorite and one that seemed to surprise most. I think she said things most of us would love to say, but we clamp down on the comment before it passes our lips :)
As I mentioned, I'm working on "Escaping Christmas", another suspense through The Wild Rose Publishing Company. And I've started a sequel to "Beautiful Music" because...well...Braden just has to have his story. I have to know where his ninja moves will take him next.
Again, many thanks for taking the time to give my writing a chance, for leaving comments, and reviews. My hope is that you will follow me as I grow as an author. Happy 4th to you and yours!
I will admit it's never easy to read the negative about "your baby", but this is my debut and I have much to learn. I have found it extremely interesting to see the differences in opinion. Like all art, I suppose this is subjective as well. Constructive criticism is important and I thrive on it. I've corresponded with several of you and your suggestions, comments, and ideas have stuck with me. Some words of advice have been flowing through my mind as I edit my second book, "Escaping Christmas"...my latest contract.
Let me try to explain a little about Jena. I didn't try to create the perfect heroine. None of us are perfect and she had her imperfections as did Chase. Life's experiences create who we become and where we might go. Some have asked "how could she not know he was in a band?" Well, she lived on the other side of the country, was totally immersed in her career, was hurt, and wanted nothing to do with the hurt. She had much of it in her life. It was her way of dealing with pain...to shut it out. It was easier for her if he didn't exist in her mind. Being a "smart attorney" doesn't necessary mean you're smart in all aspects of your life.
As an observer of people my characters will not always be the "strong" type or may not act in the way you or I might. They are individuals and I allow the story to go through my fingers on the keyboard. I don't want to write the "cookie cutter" book that has the hero/heroine doing or being what they should. I want my reader to think, "I can't believe she did that!" or "What are they thinking?" I want you to read along as they grow up, learn, experience life. Some of you may not think what Jena did was realistic, but doing exactly as we think she should is not realistic either. In life we are all individuals with choices. There's the fun in it for me. As a reader we watch from the outside looking in. We "see" what they cannot. OH! How times in reality I've looked at someone and thought "wake up!".
I've had great feedback on my supporting cast and I loved writing about them. Mrs. R. was probably my favorite and one that seemed to surprise most. I think she said things most of us would love to say, but we clamp down on the comment before it passes our lips :)
As I mentioned, I'm working on "Escaping Christmas", another suspense through The Wild Rose Publishing Company. And I've started a sequel to "Beautiful Music" because...well...Braden just has to have his story. I have to know where his ninja moves will take him next.
Again, many thanks for taking the time to give my writing a chance, for leaving comments, and reviews. My hope is that you will follow me as I grow as an author. Happy 4th to you and yours!
