My Writing Process
Georgia Lyn Hunter, a fabulous crit partner of mine and author of
Absolute Surrender asked me to join her and two other authors
on my first blog tour.
How exciting!
Except, when I read the question, How does my writing process work?
The only thought that popped in my head...Ouch!
I'm a writer that can honestly NEVER say,
"I've been writing since I was five-years-old."
Nope. I liked to play with Barbies and play softball.
I don't get or plan out long elaborate stories.
I'm a "What If..." kind of writer. I wonder about something and then ask, "What if..."
The What ifs add up to--at the most--10 words.
Writing a single title contemporary romance takes 70,000 words.
The rest of the 69,990 words I sit down, pull, stretch and search for a minimum of 1000 words per day.
Ouch!
Warning! Do not try this at home!
There are characters, goals, motivations, conflicts and plotting to tend to and then the MC's have to get to the all important happy ending.
What? A bead of sweat just formed and dripped off my fingertips.
Writing is hard. But here's the kicker--
I keep doing it.
The What Ifs
They lead me to picture a character in my head and a notion of their motivation leads me to a new world. And I have this utter devotion to conflict!
I throw stones in the paths of my characters so they can yell at me.
I have to yell back so I keep writing.
The Blues
The thick of it. At page 150 I'm half way there. It's the top of the story arc or maybe your main character's conflict. I have to make my reader happy and have a happily ever after. I can't pull a dream sequence out to explain any resolutions. NO!
The MC's have to fix what they've broken and learn from it.
Not easy, but I keep writing so when I arrive at page 300 or 70,000 words, I'm satisfied and so are my readers.
The Struggle
Blank pages are the enemy and I have defeated them with words.
When I get to 70,000 words I sigh because blank pages aren't staring at me.
I sculpted a story and have something to edit.
The absolute best is when I go back, read it and make it better.
Chipping Away at the Story
I give myself bonus points if a line of dialogue makes me laugh. An odd phrase or mistake may give my MC an interest or another layer to her/his personality. I have to keep editing. Juggling 3 or 4 different characters in my head at once, it's hard to keep straight but they must be heard. Chip, chip, chip.
Reward
Incredible amazement and pride. I created a contemporary romance!
Why Contemporary?
I write contemporary romance, because I just don't have the mindset for historical. I think it's fun and challenging to find good romance in a contemporary setting. I'm always on the look out for new What ifs?
Busy Working
Just Desserts is the story of Quinn and Sadie. It's going to be published in August 2014 by Swoon Romance. These two lovers have a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to showing them another good time in book #2.
My single title Arty Smarty--a contemporary romantic caper--is my latest completed work.
http://georgialynhunter.com/
Georgia's thrilled to finally be able to follow her dream as a writer and the extraordinary journey her imagination takes her to. Georgia's favorite characters are strong, stubborn heroes who believe they don’t need anyone, until their heroine comes along and knocks them right off their gorgeous asses.
http://annakatmore.com/home/
http://celiabreslin.com/
Celia's an amazing author who wrote the sexiest geek/paranormal hero. Ravi is to die for. And hopefully Swim for Shore will be available soon for you all to enjoy. She’s already published two books—Haven & Vampire Code—the start to her totally hot, Tranquilli Bloodline vampire series. (her blog will appear on the 27th March. )
