Writing Update (aka What I’m Working on Now)

I’ve always loved reading books that are part of a series. Because of that, for years, I dreamed of trying my hand at writing a series. With my Porter Family books, I got my wish!

I discovered two things about series… #1) They’re tricky because I have to juggle a large cast of characters who will star in future books or have already starred in past books. I strive to bring those characters in just enough, but not so much that they dilute the force of the primary romantic and plot story lines. Additionally, I have to keep track of a master timeline and all the details of my fictional towns.

#2) Writing a series is every bit as wonderful as I’d supposed. Because I get to spend several books in the same place with the same people, the latter books in the series offer me a great sense of depth, richness, and homecoming.

I’m so enamored with series that I followed the Porter Family series with the Bradford Sisters series, and now I’m halfway through the writing of my current Misty River Romance series.

So far, two of the stories are available. Take a Chance on Me, the prequel novella, is free to download to your e-reader. Stay with Me, the first novel, came out in May.

On June 1st, I turned in my next book, Let It Be Me. Then took a month of vacation. On July 1st, I returned to my writing desk to plan, research, and brainstorm the Christmas novella I hope to release next year. That done, I planned/researched/brainstormed novel #3 in the series.

This phase of the writing process is my favorite. It’s fun and creative. The possibilities are intriguing and invigorating. I spent time scribbling notes.

My writing desk

I spent time doing a lot of online research for things like, “How to Run a Non-Profit Animal Shelter” and “Prisoner Reentry Programs”.

via GIPHY

I completed “character interviews”.

Snippet of the interview for Luke Dempsey, hero of novel #3

I hunted Pinterest for setting and character inspiration.

A portion of my Inspiration board. (For my Christmas novella, I’d like to write about a ginger hero and a curly-haired blond heroine).

I spent the first half of July working on all of the above. Then I received revision requests for Let It Be Me from my editor at Bethany House. So, I set aside my unwritten projects and focused my attention on rewriting the second full-length novel in the series. For those of you who read Stay with Me, Let It Be Me is about pediatric heart surgeon Sebastian (one of the Miracle Five) and Leah, a high school teacher and bona fide math genius. I hope to share Let It Be Me’s cover with you in October, ahead of its May release!

When I rewrite, like I’m doing at the moment, I start at page one of my manuscript and make my way through the book word by word. I expect to return the novel to Bethany House on September 7th, at which time I’ll begin the rough draft of novel #3 (which will be about Luke).

Do you have any comments or questions for me about my books or the writing process? If so, I’d love to hear them!