My Writing Process – Blog Tour

Today I’m taking part in a blog tour where I get to answer a few questions about my writing process then tag three author friends. Fellow Escape author Jacquie Underdown was kind enough to tag me! Make sure to check out her answers here.

1)  What am I working on?

I’m currently editing By the Tail, a category length, shifter suspense story that I hope to submit in a week or so. Then it’s on to editing the rough draft of A Wolf’s Deception, the story that comes after Lone Wolf’s Captive and features Gage, a character that made a small appearance in the book.

2)  How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Although there’s usually a lot going on plot wise in my stories, it’s the characters that run the show. I love to write messed up, dark characters that have a lot of crap to sort out before they can move on to their happily ever after. For me it’s all about the emotion, and not holding back—no matter how hard it is.

3)  Why do I write what I do?

I've tried to write other genres, I even have a few contemporary romances on my hard drive. But my problem is I keep trying to turn my hero and heroine into fantastical creatures! I will finish those manuscripts one day, but I’ll more than likely edit the hell out of them and turn the characters into shifters or demons, or some other hot monsterly type!

4)  How does your writing process work?

It differs from book to book. The novella I just wrote was totally pantsed. But more often than not, especially if the story is part of a series, I start with a character or characters that have been banging around in my head. When I have a few scenes clear in my mind, I work on the plot and try to fill in the blanks as much as possible.
Usually I’ll note each scene idea on a card so they stay in some kind of order then start writing. Nothing is ever set in stone, and I add and change scenes as I go. Then I put aside that ugly first draft and work on something else. After a bit of distance, I do a read through then edit that sucker until the idea of reading it one more time makes me want to take my own eyes out with a spoon! Then with any luck, I'm done :)



So who will share their writing process next week?

Virginia Kelly combined her dreams of happily ever afters, adventure, and danger to produce her RWA Golden Heart nominated novel, To the Limit, published by Harlequin. She writes about dangerous heroes (sexy, gorgeous ones, of course!) and the adventurous women willing to take a chance on them. Her latest novel, In the Arms of a Stranger, was published by Entangled. An academic librarian, Virginia is a native of Peru and lives in Florida with her family. She loves for visitors to stop by her website at www.virginiakelly.net

Jodi Linton lives and works in Texas, with her husband and two kids. She can be found cozied up to the computer escaping into a quirky world of tall tales, sexy, tight jean wearing cowboys, and a protagonist with a sharp-tongue quick enough to hang any man out to dry. PRETTY RECKLESS is her first novel. She signed a contract with Entangled Publishing, LLC and Ignite Books an Entangled Imprint for her mystery series set in Texas about a sassy female sheriff deputy who solves crime while two stepping around her troublesome cowboys. Look for PRETTY RECKLESS the first book in The Deputy Laney Briggs Series debuting March 2014!

Natalie J. Damschroder is an award-winning author of contemporary and paranormal romance, with an emphasis on romantic adventure. Her 11 novels, 7 novellas, and 15 short stories have been published by Avid Press, Echelon Press, and Amber Quill Press. She currently publishes romantic adventure with Carina Press and urban fantasy romance with Entangled Publishing. Her paranormal romance series, The Soul Series, is self-published.

Natalie grew up in Massachusetts, and loves the New England Patriots more than anything. (Except her family. And writing and reading. And popcorn.) When she’s not writing, she does freelance editing and works part time as a chiropractic assistant. She and her husband have two daughters they’ve dubbed “the anti-teenagers,” one of whom is also a novelist. (The other one prefers math. Smart kid. Practical.)