Karin is traveling today, so the remaining gals here at Murder She Writes thought it would be fun to have another “Ask Us Anything!” Q&A. The rest of us will pop in all day to answer questions — about our books, reading, writing, television, movies … just ask.
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Good Friday morning! Don’t be shy. Questions anyone???
How did you all survive your own pre-publication eras without wanting to shove a shiny new gel pen through your eye? ;o)
Hah! Use that gel pen to write, woman! Those years are hard, no question about it — your peers get published, your doubts get planted and sprout, your frustration grows, your dream feels shaky. I survived by 1) writing another manuscript – which is the one that sold; 2) entering contests and using the feedback to improve my work; 3) connecting with writers at every level to absorb everything they knew; 4) believing in the power of my voice and not QUITTING.
It’s so easy to get discouraged and lose faith in your ability to tell a story or create characters that readers can love, but you have to hold on when you feel like giving up.
Of course, publishing has changed so much in the ten years since I held that pen to my eye. Now you have the option of self-publishing, which is quite viable! (I have a dear friend who has been in that pre-published limbo for years – I met her online through a “chin up chat” much like this one. Her stories are fabulous, but just a little “different” for NY. But she’s completed enough manuscripts for a multi-book series (which is the way to fly in self-pub) and has decided to go on her own. She sent me the first cover the other night and I got chills! That sucker is going to sell and sell big, I just know it. I’m so excited for her. You have options!!
Keep writing, keep submitting, keep networking, and consider all avenues! And never leave our lovely little MSW community! xo
Did I never mention how many eye surgeries I’ve had?
The truth is, I latched onto what I call “the little black dress” analogy with a fierceness. For NYC publishers, each editor has a line (and his or her tastes had helped them create that line). They are looking for something that both “fits in with” what they’ve done before [so that the powers that be, or, the people that buy will believe that they have enough insight into that particular kind of story to (a) make sure that’s it’s told well enough to be commercial and (b) that they know how to market that type of book.
So, basically, they have a line that adheres rather closely to their tastes. However, just like when you’re buying clothes (and you buy clothes to fit your body, your tastes), they also like to be surprised. But that surprise still has to (a) fit them in some way and (b) be wearable (clothing analogy) or marketable (writing).
It’s the little black dress theory, then. If the editor is looking for a little black dress, she wants one that’s going to fit her style (there are a million styles of LBDs) and yet, she’s going to want this one to be different enough to warrant spending the money to get it. If you were to present her with a gorgeous royal blue mini skirt and leggings, she might think, “wow, that is beautiful, I wish I could wear it,” but if she can’t, or can’t convince others that she isn’t off her rocker buying it, she’ll pass. It doesn’t mean the royal blue mini skirt wasn’t rocking hot. It just means it wasn’t for that editor.
The secondary problem to the above is that you might hit someone who really loves rocking blue mini skirts instead of LBDs, but they just spent all of their money for the year and absolutely cannot spend more. They’re not going to tell you that–that’s kinda personal in real life and too much information in publishing, but it happens all of the time. If they just bought something the week before that broke their budget, no matter how amazing your thing is, they can’t buy it.
Once I latched onto that analogy, I realized that it’s not just a matter of making the best book (or royal blue mini skirt) that I could make. Certainly, I have to do that. It’s necessary to compete with all of the other royal blue mini skirts to even get the attention. But they have to be in the market for that type of thing right at the minute I happened to grab their attention, and they have to have the money and the support of their house to buy something new. It’s a HUGE confluence of events that have to take place.
It’s a wonder anything gets bought at all.
So, I latched onto that, and it helped ease the internal pressure. All I could do was keep writing and sending out.
And in today’s world, Rocki’s right–there’s so much positive stuff going on with self-publishing, that a well-written story at least stands a chance. (It will still have the same problems as any publisher’s release, and that is: attracting enough attention from a busy public to sell enough copies to have been worth it.) It’s not easy, nor is the NYC publishing route.
But it’s doable.
i’ve heard so many authors say “I couldn’t *not* write” – i fall into that category. my publishing path was soooo long (many years) and riddled with so many rejections. but giving up was never an option. what i understand now is that each rejection toughened me a little more, and that i was building a toolbox for future challenges. It’s still hard some days, but i can look back over what I’ve survived thus far and feel confident I can take whatever comes along.
Yep, lots of rejections but I never considered giving up! I kept telling myself, “Next time.”
I love all the advice you’ve been given. I’ll add that it took my 5 books and hundreds of rejections before I sold. I don’t like over-editing — which is both good and bad. It’s good in that I took what I learned from previous unsold manuscripts and applied it to my current WIP, so every book was better than the last. The bad is that two of my four unpublished manuscripts that I got tired with may have had a chance if I had better editing/storytelling skills at the time.
The other important thing to remember is that published or not, we’re all rejected at different times in our career. Writers get orphaned, editors leave, books fail, risks are minimized … it never gets easier.
What saves us all is love–love of writing.
I’d love to know what the oddest spot you were in when “Inspiration” struck? and did you use that “scene” in a book????
It happened two nights ago — at a meeting in church! I’m not even kidding – we did this gratitude prayer exercise and suddenly I had this “what if” idea and I was like Scarlett in the GWTW when she starts mumbling outloud. “Why, Ashley doesn’t know I love him! I’ll tell him I love him!” But I did get an idea and it was for how to commit the perfect murder, probably not what the prayer leader had in mind, LOL. xo
On a backhoe. In a scrap yard.
I’m inspired in odd places all the time. The most common is while I’m driving (not too odd.) The most unusual … hmm … like Rocki I’ve been inspired in church, usually by a line in a song or scripture. I’ve been inspired on all my field trips. I get snippets of ideas from television, usually from a secondary character (I don’t know why that is but the last time was when I was watching BODY OF PROOF this week and there was a minor brother and an older brother who had an abusive father. One, the boys were handsome. Two, their acting was strong and I got a snippet of an idea I may weave into a story someday because of a line of dialogue between them.
I’m going to have to think about this! I’m sure there are some stranger places, except I don’t go many places anymore outside of kids sporting events!!!
At a really bad dinner party one time I got one of my favorite opening lines for a book
It pays to eavesdrop. That’s all I’m sayin’.
In the ladies’ room listening to the woman in the next stall chat on her cell while doing her business!
LOL! I love this question, Catherine!
For me, it was the gynecologist’s office. While there for my annual exam, I picked up a parenting magazine…and read a story about a consultant called a “baby planner.” I thought, “What the heck is THAT?” The thought that anxious new soon-to-be moms needed someone to tell them the best stuff to buy was intriguing. One day’s worth of research showed me that what they did was much more than advising on baby gear. I liked that, particularly since pregnancy is a time in which women are at their most vulnerable, emotionally and physically.
And so, a book was born…
Do any of you have a possible tv series or movie based on a book or series in the works?
I’ll let Josie take that one – she’s got a TV show starting in the fall! I’ve sold film rights to one book — my YA called DON’T YOU WISH — and the screenplay is done (I got to consult and I really love how they handled the story!) and currently being shopped in Hollywood. Which means I wait and hope and pray and fantasize and concentrate on what I can control: writing more books!
But Josie can talk all about the glamour of Hollywood! xo
Some interest, nothing sold. I’m not holding my breath, but it would be exciting!
Bobbie Faye has been “in development” forever, and probably, at this rate, won’t be made. I think Katherine Hiegle’s bombing of Janet Evanovich’s super popular series is going to dampen enthusiasm for leading women in comedy/action for a long long time. They’re going to believe these cannot make money.
Have a couple of other things going on, but nothing concrete enough to talk about.
Here’s my answer: I WISH!
Nope, not me either!
My book, SECRET LIVES OF HUSBANDS AND WIVES, has been optioned for television, by Jerry Bruckheimer. I’m honored he did so because those who know him insist he takes his time in finding the right story and building a team to pitch to the networks, concept it as an ongoing series, and cast it well. Right now, it looks like the pilot script got a thumbs up, but it’s being pushed back to mid-season replacement, in 2013.
Another of my books is also being developed for television. I hope to announce something by the fall (TV pitch season starts mid-summer, and runs until then)– but, as was the case with SECRET LIVES, I’ve got to wait until I get the thumbs-up to announce it — which will happen when there’s been a sale to a network.
And a third book is being considered for film development. (Shhhhh…..!!!) I’m guessing that one will take the longest to sell, because (as I presume with Rocki’s project) it has to be packaged with a “star”.
Fingers crossed that these projects actually make it beyond pilot, to a full season, and find their audiences! It would be great to see some of my heroines come to life on the screen.
Are you planning to go to the RWA National Conference in Anaheim this year?
Hey Linda — a lot of MSW ladies are planning to be there, but I’m not one of them. I’m sure they’ll chime in soon (Deb and I are the east coasters who get up first in this group) and let you know their schedule. I know at least one of us is giving a workshop, too. Stay tuned! xo
Yes, I’m in California and just woke up 20 minutes ago! Now that I have my coffee, I’m marginally awake. …
I’ll be in Anaheim — already paid the conference fee and reserved my hotel!
I’m looking forward to it. I also have a panel about writing romantic thrillers, which should be fun.
Not moi. I’m going to be busy (a) finishing up a house to finalize it to sell and (b) working on the remodel of where we’re moving to and (c) babbling and drooling from the stress. Probably not a good time to fly.
I’m not sure how high up in the air I am at the moment, but I’m chiming in from a plane.
I’ll be in Anaheim for sure. It’s my hometown (although I haven’t moved too far from it. I’m still in SoCal).
I’m really looking forward to the conference this year. RWA has all but 30 of the rooms in the hotel, which means we pretty much get the whole place to ourselves. I think that’ll be a lot of fun!
No, I’m not going to RWA, but I will be at RT in Chicago in a few weeks!
I will be at RT in Chicago, Thrillerfest in NYC and maybe RWA in Cali!
I’ll be at RT, too!
Which one of you has the most shoes??
If I had to guess, it’s a tie between Rocki and Karin. It’s definitely not me!
Gotta be Rocki or Karin. Or possibly Lori.
Hmmm. I have close to triple digits in shoes, if you count flip flops. So I’m definitely a contender for this category. xo
I’d venture a guess that I have the most pairs of boots
Boots, yeah. You got us beat there! But I’m sure I have the most flip flops. At least eight pairs under my desk at any given moment. xo
You can wear them year round, mine are buried in my closet until Snow boot season is over
i may qualify for the *least* pairs…after several moves, I’ve pretty much winnowed down my wardrobes to must-haves only. And I’m trying to stick to a policy that if I buy a new pair, an old one has to go. the result is that I love all my shoes!
Hmm, my teenagers have stolen half my shoes. I have very few left. :/
Sophie, I’m probably tied with you on the “least” pairs!
I have THE LEAST. Since I’m flat-footed and pigeon-toed, I don’t own heels.
The last time I wore a pair was a decade ago, for my brother’s wedding. As did my mom, and my sister. (Proof that our flat-footed status is genetic.)
All three of us woke up screaming at 3am in the morning, with charlie horses in our calves. I’m sure the other hotel guests thought the place was haunted.
So now I just a pair of walking shoes, a pair of walking boots, and two pairs of ballerina flats, for “dress up.” (Sigh) I ENVY WOMEN WHO CAN WALK IN STILETTOS!!!!!
What is the one (or more) question(s) you get asked that irritates you the most?
I think — where do you get your ideas. It’s hard to answer. I get them from everywhere, and from nowhere. I don’t think anyone would want to be inside my head when I’m developing an idea, it’s a very messy place.
It probably doesn’t irritate me so much as leave me a bit stumped and scrambling. I can talk for HOURS about how my ideas come about, and it probably won’t make sense to anyone 
Irritate? I don’t like being asked for blurbs before a book has been contracted. I know some agents push this, but I don’t do it and I don’t like the practice.
Yeah… that question gets me, too. And “how did you come up with this story?”
I know some authors have great answers for those types of questions, but for me, I have no idea where my stories come from. They just pop into my head and I write them.
I don’t mind the story idea question. I think most people are really trying to ask, “how did you know that idea was an actual story?” As opposed to just a random idea. What set it apart, what makes it something that will sustain a whole book, what (probably most importantly) makes it something commercial that people would want to buy to read?
Still exceptionally tough questions, because the answers are all so vague, but it’s closer to a craft type of question if broken down that way.
This is going to sound mean, but when perfect strangers walk up to me at a book signing or public venue and hand me their whole book or novella or even short story and just assume that I am the magic gateway to helping them get published? I get fairly peeved. First, it tells me they haven’t done any homework on the internet as to the protocol of how things are done, and someone who hasn’t done any research at all into that aspect is lazy. That sort of laziness almost always shows in the writing. (The exception might be the little 90 year old lady who types only. She just might not know better.) Everyone else? Should know better.
It also presumes that I have nothing else to do but stop and read a stranger’s work. I barely have time to turn around, and I don’t even have time to read some dear friends’ works (I had to say no to several people these last couple of months).
My second pet peeve is when I try to gently explain this in that public situation and the person curses me out. Yep, it’s happened.
I don’t mind the “where do you get your ideas” question – I understand how people want to get into the head of the person who creates characters and stories. I mean, if I could have dinner with JJ Abrams, I think I’d ask him the same thing about LOST.
I love to talk about writing, but I do get a little annoyed when people want me to write their story or idea. I honestly don’t want to hear their idea – it’s theirs, not mine!
And, yeah, I’m just a tad tired of being asked what do I think of Fifty Shades of Gray. That’s the #1 question romance writers are fielding right now. xo
It shows just how buried I’ve been lately–I don’t even know what Fifty Shades of Grey is.
Ditto for the “where do you get your ideas?” question. Not my fave.
But what’s worse? Is when someone says – I’ve had a very interesting life – how about if I tell you about it, you write the story, and we’ll split the money.
Umm…No.
Fifty Shades is the IT book of the moment, and a current media sensation with the horrific but inescapable tag of “Mommy Porn.” xo
i’m not really irritated by questions, but I *am* occasionally irritated by attitudes. Or by a failure of imagination. To put a positive spin on it, I *love* whenever someone says “I took a chance on this book” – *any* book! What I don’t like is the “i’d never read xxx” where it’s a genre or style. I don’t care for a closed-minded reader.
There is only one question that kind of bugs me: “When are you going to write a big book?” hahahahaha
I’ve yet to get one that wasn’t asked sincerely…so I guess I’m lucky that way.
When you write a novel, do you have the whole story planned out in advance, or do you just start writing with an idea of what you want, and let the plot develop as you go along?
Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions! Happy Friday!!
Rachel
(although Allison and Rocki know me as Averyfan on Twitter)
I’ve done it both ways. It’s much faster for me if I have a clue where I’m going (even if it’s only a vague general direction). [Obviously, I've been horrifically slow lately, so it's probably clear I wandered in the wilderness for a while there, trying to figure the story out.]
I’m not sure which I prefer. I miss knowing where I was going, having that sense of the ending that I was working toward. (sigh) But I have more fun actually writing something that is unknown to me at that point.
Yes, I know that name!
I don’t plot. At all. I’m an organic writer. I rarely even know the killer, even though I may have some ideas. I thought I knew the killer in STALKED … now, I’m not so sure.
I usually get a flash of a scene in my head and I write the book around that one scene. From there, I have no idea what the rest of the story will be, I just have to sit down and let it come to me however it does.
Hello Averyfan aka Rachel! I try to plot, but the story NEVER follows the plot I planned because so much just sort of happens like magic at the keyboard. So, I’ve stopped pretending to plot.
I usually start with a premise, then sketch out some main characters, then work from a story plan (I just made that name up, so don’t expect to find it in craft books) that is more or less a one page outline of key things that have to happen. As I write, the story plan grows and the characters evolve. I can usually see clearly about three scenes in the future, then a rough idea of what will happen, beyond that it’s something like “a really bad thing will happen to change everything.” With each new scene, I’m subconsciously setting up whatever that bad thing/plot point might be.
Does that make any sense? Probably not!
I fast drafted the last book, creating what was, in essence, a 65,000 word synopsis. That book changed ENTIRELY when I wrote the 100,000 word manuscript, but having the backbone of the story and the characters kind of fleshed out really helped. xo
I plot. But it usually changes. One of my fave things is to go back and reread a book’s synopsis AFTER I get the book done. It’s always good for a laugh because so much has changed
I have an idea of the story, but mostly I have pieces like one or two characters and a couple of plot elements. But it comes to me in BIG chunks as I write.
I have at least a synopsis. And usually because I’m bursting to write at least the first scene (if not the first chapter), I do so, sometimes, before I finish the outline.
Frankly, that works for me, because then I get the novel’s “voice” in my head. It will also determine whether my choice to go first- or third- person will pay off in the long run.
Which is your favorite – getting the intial story on the page or editing?
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Are author royalties based on retail price or publisher’s price?
1) I love love love the initial excitement of the story–that’s what gets my butt in a chair. But hands down, I love editing the best. Because if I’m editing, I’ve got something completed to work with (presumably).
2) both. Depends on the story.
3) Publisher’s price (NYC).
I hate the first draft. Hate it. Despise it. Loathe every freaking minute of “fresh pages.”
I live to revise!!
Re: plotting/pantsing…see above. I’m a “plantzer” – working from a story plan.
Author royalties can vary depending on the terms of the contract.
Hope that helps – thanks! xo
Another vote for editing. Only about 1/2 the work is done when I finish that rough draft!
I wish i was more of a plotter, but i have to admit being a chaos chaser. I know my characters when I start, and often my setting – and am usually in love with them – but have no idea what happens…
I love “finding” the story but revising is fun too!
Ha! All great questions, Holly:
(1) initial story/first draft is my fave. I don’t hate editing, because usually my editors ask for content changes that have only made my stories stronger.
(2) TOTALLY a plotter!
(3) Royalties on traditionally printed books are based on retail price, whereas on digital books, the norm has been “net”…but so much is changing in that arena (including the royalty percentage).
I have a couple of questions… ready for random?
Have you ever seriously thought about quit writing, in a way that was like… screw this, I’m becoming a wh-, umm, baker…? What made you not give up?
Since I’ve wanted to be a writer my entire life, now that I am, I have never seriously considered quitting. If I get frustrated with something, I remember how much I hated my job by the time I left (I used to love my old job, but over time, learned to hate it.) And I don’t have to commute.
I’ve always written. And I’ve constantly thought about quitting. Like, you know, about ten minutes ago. And then I realize, if I quit, I won’t have a legitimate socially acceptable reason to talk to (or about) all of the other people in my head, so I realize, I can’t quit. Unless I want to be carted off in a straight jacket. (There are some days, when the writing is fighting me, that that’s actually a preferable idea.)
What keeps me doing it? I can’t not write. Just can’t help it.
i rarely, rarely consider quitting, because writing is such a core part of my identity. The ONLY times it comes up for me are when life circumstances are truly pressing and I can’t think of any other way around them. For instance, when my children were babies, giving them all my attention was the natural thing to do. And if I need health care in the future, I may have to find a traditional job. But in both cases, words will continue to be produced.
At one point I did consider quitting. I had a job offer, a kid going to college, and my career wasn’t contributing much to the family coffers. Then I got a great book deal, so I figured that was a sign to keep going.
And I haven’t looked back. I have NO IDEA what I’d do with myself if I wasn’t writing all the damn time.
Never considered quitting but I sure have feared being out of work especially after my accident.
Yes, I have thought about it. I’ve thought that it might be a distinct possibility that I wouldn’t get another contract or that my books would tank. This is the most uncertain rollercoaster of a business and anyone who thinks they have a rock solid future and a steady income is either smoking crack or has the name Nora Roberts. There are no guarantees and plenty of dark days, so there have definitely been times when I questioned my next career move.
Right now, publishing is in flux, but the pendulum is swinging slightly more in the author’s favor. We have more options than ever before, and it seems less likely we “have to” quit.
I do like a break every now and then, though! It clears the creative cobwebs. xo
My motto: “Last. Author. Standing.”
It has gotten me through my darkest “professional author” hours.
For me, writing is akin to breathing. And to walking. I’ll write until my mind goes. (Notice I didn’t say my fingers! Even without them, I’d figure out a way to put words on a page…)
What would you do if someone rang your doorbell right now, and it was your most beloved character, standing right there…?
If it was Bobbie Faye, I’d duck. And probably run. Because she’d show up if she was ticked off about something.
Trevor, on the other hand, could just come right on in.
Commit myself to the looney bin. :/
Barbie – if it was Cord McKay, who seems to be my favorite cowboy in the RR series, I’d strip him naked.
Kidding.
Not really.
One time, I did *see* one of my characters walking down the sidewalk by my house. I have a novella called WICKED GARDEN and there’s a secondary character named Jon Whitefeather — a really good looking Lakota Sioux Indian with long hair. When I saw him strolling along…I about wrecked my damn car! I am writing a novella starring him for publication later this year, and I’m hoping to see him again
If I opened the door and one of my characters was there, I would start looking for the cameras and who in my family is responsible for freaking me out. If there were no cameras and no errant family member, I would invite the character in and interrogate him or her.
Lori’s story reminded me of the time I was sitting in a restaurant and looked over and I swear to you, Cam was sitting right there. Same everything–height, build, the way he dressed, was obviously a detective/cop, age.
We were sitting in a restaurant just south of the LSU stadium (Walk Ons) and I just stared. Freaked. Me. Out.
No, I didn’t go say anything to him. Thought about it, but how exactly do you go tell a cop he reminds you of an imaginary person you made up in your head and was part of a love triangle without, you know, being retained for psychiatric evaluation? Plus, you know, the drool wouldn’t have helped.
Lori- sorry to barge in on the comments. I LOVE that Cord is your favorite RR. If he shows up at your place (naked or not) will you call me, please? Or at least take a picture or two. If he shows up at mine he will have to give me mouth to mouth because I will pass out for sure.
Barbie, your question was my favorite and made me laugh! And I needed it after a trying day. Thanks for asking it!
I’d say, “Vivi! Come on in. Let’s Skype Barbie — she’s your biggest fan!” xo
Ha! Great question, Barbie! I guess I’d welcome her in, and pray that she thanks me for giving birth to her…and doing right by her.
1) Love both writing and revising. Probably love revising a little more because the story is all there and it’s the make it shine time! Don’t love copyedits so much.
2) I’m an organic writer. I don’t like the term “pantsing.”
… I don’t plot. At all. I start with a premise or character and go with it–essentially, I know the set-up and that’s it.
3) Depends.
This was supposed to be in answer to comment #9 … my computer doesn’t like me today!!!
Have any of you ever started writing a story from the middle and build everything around that or the end and go backwards? I hope that makes sense. Hope you all have a great day.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Not me. I’m a very linear writer. Sometimes, when I’m at the middle of a book, I’ll see a snippet of the climax and write part of the scene so I don’t forget, but I rarely write out of order.
Ditto. I might have ideas for scenes further on and will write sort of generalish scenes. There’s been only one time in all my years of writing that I wrote a scene that was going to be near the end of a book–and I had barely started the book–and it went in, almost as I had originally written it. It was a freakish thing for me, and I wish it would happen more often. ;D
I’m a linear writer too – and it helps because if there’s a scene I’m dying to get to…I write faster to get there!
My least favorite thing is figuring out that the book actually STARTS on the 3rd chapter and not the first. That’s happened to me a couple of times and I have no problem cutting to get the most bang for my buck out of the first chapter.
I often have scenes for the middle or end in mind but I’ve never started there.
Oh, Paula, I think I’d rather have my nails ripped out one by one before I tried to write a story like that! Count me in as linear. I might not know WHERE that line actually starts, but I’ll do my level best to follow it! xo
Interesting premise, Paula! In my case, usually I have the germ of an idea — and maybe I know how it will end…but it’s making the middle part of the story build — with a well-woven tapestry of a plot, and characters that are complex as opposed to black-and-white cookie-cutter — that is the greatest challenge. But that’s all part of the joy of writing, right?
Allison,
You mentioned that you wrote a couple of novellas and a few short stories. I have read 2 of your short stories from “Two of the Deadliest” and “A Killer Year”, but I wonder were they published on their own and where can I find them, if at all? As you can tell, I need to fill the void until the new book is out, lol!
Hi Ella:
Here’s the list of my short stories/novellas:
“Deliver Us From Evil” in WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE (novella with Rocki and Karin) – P
“Killing Justice” in KILLER YEAR (short story)
“Ghostly Vengeance” –free short story on my Seven Deadly Sins website – P
“A Capitol Obsession” in TWO OF THE DEADLIEST (short story)
“Her Lucky Day” in BLOOD LITE II: OVERBITE (short story) – P
“Ghostly Justice” in ENTANGLED (novella, digital only) – P
“Love is Murder” novella (digital along, plus printed in back of IF I SHOULD DIE)
“Above Reproach” in GUNS AND ROSES (short novella, digital only)
“Vacation Interrupted” in THRILLER 3: LOVE IS MURDER (short story, upcoming 5.29.12)
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the list! You made me a very happy camper for the weekend!
What are your writing processes? Do you have set times every day? Set word counts? Two months work, two months on a tropical island sipping drinks with little umbrellas in them?
ROFLOL, I would love to have a tropical island where I could write! With five kids, sometimes uninterrupted writing time is rare (except when they’re in school … but even then … )
I have a set time to write — loosely 10 am – 3 pm and again from 9 pm to midnight or so, depending on my muse. If I’m on a roll, I keep writing. If I’m tired or stuck, I watch TV, read, or go to bed. Some days I can write 5,000 words, some 500 words, but my “average” is probably 2500 words/day. For me it’s the quality of the scene(s) that determines whether I think it was a good day or not.
Ditto what Allison said. I prefer mornings but work when I need to.
Actually, I live on a tropical island! Not even kidding!! So, yeah, that’s what I do, except no umbrella drinks.
Like the others, I start in the morning, usually after working out or walking the dog or the school trip. I work all day, usually until 4 or 5. If I’m on deadline, I’ll pick up again after dinner for a few hours.
When I say “work all day” there’s a lot of internet, email, research, online shopping, and blog hopping in there. But if I can “write” for four hours a day, I’m golden. I track my productivity with RescueTime, a program I highly recommend. xo
Dang it, I knew I forgot something in my “writer’s wish list” for Christmas: the tropical island!
(Rocki, you have room for lots and lots of visitors, right?)
Meanwhile, my workday is sporadic, due to moving and various other things. When I’m in my groove, though, I tend to write more in the afternoons, take a break to be with my husband, then write more at night until around two or three a.m. That last couple of hours, when it’s quiet, there’s not much in the way of news/internet/etc., I usually hit a sweet spot of the words just flowing. I’ve tried to do this same thing during the day, but it doesn’t work (and I get interrupted by phone calls, which derails the thought process for me.)
I have room for you, T. xo
awwww.
I start with a concept, usually a one-liner. From there, I start writing a synopsis (anywhere from 1-20 pages). Then I fully outline the book. After an outline, breaking it down into chapters, sometimes writing dialogue that pops into my head. This makes it easier for me to write a book.
My simple/stupid mantra: a book as a beginning, middle and an end. I hate it when I delve into a book and I fill the middle is just filler, or that the end dwindles off, or ended too fast or too pat. Leave’em wanting more!
What would you say to those that say romantic suspense is dead? (no pun intended;)
LOVING Guns and Roses!! WOOT
They’ve been saying it’s dead for years. There’s always something that’s supposedly dead. Everything waxes and wanes–and sometimes publishers overbuy when something’s hot and then can’t effectively market all of those books when the market is glutted with them. That creates the perspective that the genre (whatever that genre is) is dead, but it’s not. It’s just adjusting to the glut and eventually, when things settle out and there’s a lack of new stuff, the demand for more will start the next wave. Happens constantly.
And thank you — so glad you’re enjoying Guns and Roses!
Honestly G&R is what helped me get out of the bed this morning to get to the gym so i could keep reading it. That’s when you know you’ve got a winner!
We’re all so thrilled that you’re enjoying it! We had lots of fun writing it. And lots of conversation … LOL.
Wow, thanks Rachel! That made my day!
I would hand them the keys to email box and ask them to peruse the comments I get from readers…make that the DEMANDS I get from readers for more Guardian Angelino and Bullet Catcher books. When I tell them I’m writing in two different genres for a while, they are not happy.
Romantic suspense is NOT DEAD. Period. I have my theories where that came from coughWalmartcough but there are a lot of loyal readers who want love and danger all in the same book. I’m so glad because writing that Bullet Catcher novella for GUNS AND ROSES made me realize I’ll never give that genre up! xo
Yay! Can’t wait for Gabe, more Bullet Catchers and more GA books:)
Everything is cyclical. I don’t think RS is dead (I hope not!) I just think there’s a natural ebb and flow. And publishing looked at a successful trend in the mid-2000s, and I think they over-bought some of the genre. Unfortunately, so many fantastic RS authors are moving out of the genre and writing other things, and very, very soon I think readers are going to be clamoring for more.
And what Rocki said.
I think that, in any given year, certain novel genres get over-saturated, and bookstore over-purchase (or are over-sold) on that genre. But like all things, the market ebbs and flows. There will always be a market for romantic suspense — and those who write it well will always find an audience…maybe not as large as their publishers had hoped, but in time audiences grow. If the publisher doesn’t have patience to wait it out with a particular author, well, that’s where self-pub’ing comes in. Keep your audience happy, and they’ll hang around. (IMHO…)
Anyone have any ideas on how to get a critique and/or craft partner? Or where to go for this?
Janet, I strongly recommend you hook up with your closest RWA chapter — you will meet like minded readers there and you can start or join a critique group. If that’s a geographical challenge for you, there are lots of online groups and chapters you can join.
Take a few online classes, and you’ll “meet” people there and you’ll find a critique partner soon enough. Just BE CAREFUL. A great CP is a Godsend, but someone who doesn’t get your voice or doesn’t understand your reader/genre or is just has a very forceful personality can do FAR MORE DAMAGE than good.
I’ve seen amazing writers get creatively crippled by the wrong critique partner. This is like a husband…choose wisely. Good luck! xo
Hi Janet!
I found my old critique group (Karin was part of it!) through one of the RWA writers loops. There are also lots of writers loops where you don’t have to be a member of RWA to join. Also, if you belong to RWA the local chapters are a great place to find critique partners. If you don’t have an RWA group close, then there are several on-line chapters (I belong to the Kiss of Death, for romantic suspense writers.) Another option is finding a local writers club in your town. Just be careful–find someone who’s at about the same level as you with the same dedication, who provides constructive critiques and doesn’t mess with your voice. If you find someone, have a trial period of maybe 4-6 weeks and see if you’re compatible. Your partner should be helpful and uplifting, not overly critical or negative. Hope that helps!
Have any of you had a secondary character who demanded his/her own story?
Love Guns And Roses – any plans for another anthology?
Yes!!! Gabriel Rossi will not leave me alone! (This isn’t necessarily a bad thing.)
So glad you’re enjoying GUNS AND ROSES. I think we might consider another…right, gang? xo
Half of the people in the Bobbie Faye books keep asking for their own book. I need to write much much faster for that to happen.
I’ve had many secondary characters who wanted their own story. Some I had planned, some I didn’t.
Sean Rogan was “just” the little brother of one of my heroes, Duke, from CUTTING EDGE, but when I met him on the page I knew he would be back. Nick Thomas from THE HUNT wasn’t going to get his own book (in fact, he was supposed to die) but I liked him so much, I gave him a book. Will Hooper, Carina’s partner from SPEAK NO EVIL, was supposed to just be a secondary character, but he grew on me, so became the hero in KILLING FEAR. I thought FEAR NO EVIL was the last of the Kincaid’s, but as soon as Jack walked on the page I had to write his book, too.
As far as another antho, we’ve loosely talked about it. It takes a lot of time, and we all have multiple deadlines each year. I’d love to write another story, though!
I’ve thought about it (secondary character spin-off) but I know they have fun in their cliques, so why break them up?
So which one of you wants to adopt me so I can get dibs on the new books?
I speak 2.5 languages (some brushing up on my ä¸æ–‡ would get it back up to the 3 most spoken/useful languages in the world), I have maybe 5 pairs of shoes so you can still use the wardrobe space for yours, I’ve been living on my own for almost 10 years so I’m zero-maintenance, and by the time the paperwork goes through, I’ll have a doctorate from Hahvahd
. And I promise to take you with me when I go gallivanting around the world (I’m restless, so it happens quite frequently). Or at least I’ll bring you a souvenir 
.
DIBS!!!!!!!!
Excellent! My next planned trip is a post-dissertation jaunt in southern Africa… how do you feel about a safari, a sighting of the Victoria Falls, diving with great white sharks, and checking out the lemurs in Madagascar? Better get that passport…
[Also, since I love moving around so much, I'm perfectly willing to be adopted by more than one person
]
You had me alllllllll the way up to the “sharks” part. Yikes.
A’ight; I’ll dive with the sharks, you can sit on the beach
[Diving with sharks is fun! Scary, but fun... the way they move is amazing]
*That* I can do.
Adopt you? Will you adopt me? I won’t just give you dibs on the latest books, I think I’ll make you the star of one! xo
Have you all gone on vacation together before?
We haven’t, bn. We’ve come close in that we had one planned for this year, but our schedules didn’t pan out. We’re hoping for next year. Meanwhile, we have mini meet-ups at the various conferences, whenever we can.
No, though most of us were at RWA last year in NYC and we had drinks
We’d planned on getting together this year, but getting all 10 schedules to coincide is next to impossible. Toni and I have roomed together many times! 
What is your fav book
Hard question! My all-time favorite book is Stephen King’s THE STAND.
You know, I really don’t have a favorite — I think it’s because I’ve got such eclectic tastes that’s it’s too hard to pin down. Plus, it kinda depends on what mood I’m in. I envy people who can name a favorite.
My all time favorite romance novel is MORNING GLORY by LaVyrle Spencer, with Linda Howard’s MR PERFECT and Jennifer Cruise’s WELCOME TO TEMPTATION in very close second place. xo
Oh, I love, love, love WELCOME TO TEMPTATION too!!! Other faves from the last decade or so:
THE SEARCH by Iris Johansen
THREE FATES by Nora Roberts
THE THIRD VICTIM by Lisa Gardner
VANISH by Tess Gerritsen
THE LINCOLN LAWYER by Michael Connelly
For me, I’d have to say GONE WITH THE WIND. It’s the Southern girl in me, I guess. (I’ll admit it: I read it thirteen times, before the age of sixteen. FIDDLE DEE DEE!….and yes, green is my favorite color…)
Today is St Patrick’s Day: my question is, do you target specific events/days when you write?
I’ve used specific events (LSU/Alabama football game), and I might mention a holiday, but not a year, or else the story is instantly dated. Even with the game, it was a mythical game, not an actual one. However, the following year after I wrote it, the *actual* game ended up with the same score in almost the same way. Very very eerie.
Sometimes. I have an idea for a Christmas story, for example … I hope I get to write it! But unless it’s a plot-driven reason to center the book/story around a holiday, I don’t generally use them.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Yes, I do use specific days and events (SPACE IN HIS HEART opens on July 11, 2011 during the final space shuttle launch from Kennedy Space Center) but you have to be very careful because doing that can “date” your books. The story premise of FIRST YOU RUN is loosely based on the Maya calendar that has the world ending in December, 2012. After that date passes and we all wake up the next day (assuming we do, LOL!), will that book be obsolete? I don’t know. xo
Hi, Mary! For me, it depends on the book. For example, two of my books deal with Hollywood, and from a reader/movie-goer standpoint, the Oscars and the Golden Globes are important events, so usually you’ll see these events written into my glam lit books. For THE BABY PLANNER, I gave the story a nine-month arc (like pregnancy) and broke it up into three “trimesters”. Ironically, SECRET LIVES OF HUSBANDS AND WIVES began on Halloween, and ends on New Year’s Day, which are socially-active dates, especially if you have families or live in communities that throw events around holidays, which was the case of my characters in that book.
Do your characters talk to you?
Yep. When I’m lucky, they do. It’s much much easier to write when they’re talking (which means they’re fully formed, their own personality, not a cardboard character) rather than when they’re silent. Silent means I don’t know them well enough yet, or their issues aren’t gelling and/or their motivations/conflicts aren’t tracking honestly through the story. It means I’m pasting on instead of writing organically.
LOL. I don’t know if they so much talk to me as ignore me when I start intruding in their decisions. I’m more of an observer in their lives, and watch and see what happens, and write it down. I put myself in their shoes when I’m in their POV so I know what’s behind all the decisions they’re making.
Nope. Never, not once. I have to stuff words in their mouths, honestly. xo