My Writing Process

Albert Anker's painting courtesy of Wikimedia

My writer friend, Antonia van Zandt has tagged me to participate in this writer's blog. "Just answer a few questions about writing," she said. "How hard can it be?" I think I'm about to find out. Anyhow, here goes

1. What am I working on? 

As usual, I have about ten partially finished manuscripts on my computer. I've just completed the fourth part of my Anton and Lenora historical series, a novella tentatively called Willow and it's sitting fallow at the moment until I pick it up again for a good going over. Next up is a romantic comedy about a soap star of a certain age whose character has been killed off. Georgette, the main character, is very dramatic and she's been after me to finish her story. Beyond that, I have two more novellas to write for Anton and Lenora before I bring their adventures to a finish, a more serious novel about a red cross worker who goes to Afghanistan, and a book about ski racing that features Creech, a secondary character in Dancing in the White Room. I'm also playing with a kind of magical realism story called "The Orchard". There's more, but those ought to keep me busy for the next decade or so. :)

2. How does my work differ from others in its genre?

I write across several genres, including historical, women's fiction, and romance. All of them are character driven, I believe that strong and interesting characters are at the heart of any good story. I also pay a lot of attention to things like tone and metaphor, description and emotional resonance. I think this is because my love of words began with poetry--and you'll find some of those 'poetic' elements in my work. 

3. Why do I write what I do?

I write romance because I love love. I'm a romantic at heart. Women's fiction comes out of a love of the genre, I like stories about strong women who overcome, and more often than not, these are the characters I write about.

4. How does my writing process work? 

The most unusual thing about how I write, I guess, is that I write all my first drafts out long hand. It's not the most efficient way to work, but there are a couple of key advantages. First off, there's something to the physical act of writing that connects me to the page and helps me get the tone and feel of my characters and their stories. And secondly, it forces me to rewrite every word into the computer, so that, when I have a 'computer draft' finished, it's in better shape than it would be if I wrote directly to my lap top. 

As Part of this hop, I've tagged three more writers. The fab three I've tagged are 'housemates' of sorts, they, like me, are authors who have been published by Champagne Books. I hope you'll check them out, as well as the other great books over at Champagne.

Elizabeth Fountain left a demanding job as a university administrator in Seattle to move to the small town of Ellensburg, Washington, and pursue her dream of writing novels.  She started writing in grade school; fortunately, most of her tortured high school poetry and song lyrics are lost to posterity. Her first book, An Alien’s Guide to World Domination, is a tale of people, aliens, and dogs who face the impossible, and do it anyway.  Now Liz has three more novels in progress, including You, Jane, which will be published by Champagne Book Group in June, 2014. She takes breaks from writing to teach university courses, spend time with family and friends, and take long walks while leaning into the diabolical Kittitas Valley wind. Liz strives to live according to a line from British singer-songwriter Chris Rea: “Every day, good luck comes in the strangest of ways.” Read more of her work atlizfountain.wordpress.com

Buy links:

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00B0I5RM2

BURST! - http://burstbooks.ca/manufacturer.php?id_manufacturer=28

Kenneth D. Schultz is the author of the science fiction novel Truth-Teller Rebellion and its sequel, Truth-Teller Revenge, which has a November release date. Since childhood Ken’s loved writing and science. After a successful career in finance, he started to write again. Now he brings characters and worlds to life on a daily basis. Ken lives in the quaint fishing village of Poulsbo, on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula with his wife Teresa, Vizsla Ruby, and Pomeranian emergency back-up dog Otto.

He  blogs at www.kennethdschultz.wordpress.com

Stephanie Joyce Cole lived for decades in Alaska.  She and her husband recently relocated to Seattle, where they reside with a predatory but lovable tailless Manx cat named Bruno. Stephanie has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. When she's not writing, she's hiking, creating ceramics, practicing yoga, traveling, volunteering and discovering new ways to have fun--and oh yes, reading, reading, reading. 

Find her at her website--www.stephaniejoycecole.com
And her blog-http://www.stephaniejoycecole.com/blog

Her book, Compass North can be purchased at Amazon  


On a side note, The All Things Returned blog tour starts today with a spotlight at Melissa Keir's blog

All Things Returned Blog Tour

I'm taking the latest installment of  Anton and Lenora on tour!The lovely Krista Ames at Bridging the Gap has extended the tour, so there'll be lots of opportunities to join me at some of the stops along the way for fun and prizes.

April 14-25

 14  Melissa Keir 

 15  A Passion for Romance

 16  Fiction Witches  

 17  Mary's Cup of Tea  

 18  Harlie's Books  

 18  Roast and Toast party

 19  Gemini Girls
 20  Brooke Blogs 

 21  Romancing the Pen Today
 21  Margo Bond Collins  

 22  Room with Books 

 23  Reviews by Crystal
 24  London Scribbles
 25  Fall into Reading Reviews 

Party at The Romance Studios

I'm having a great time over at the Romance Studios release party today. Hope you'll come and join me!
http://trsparties.com/
http://trsparties.com/2014/04/12/all-things-returned-excerpt/
http://trsparties.com/2014/04/12/welcome-to-the-party-5/

Another Peek at All Things Returned.

Here's another brief excerpt from All Things Returned the third part of the Anton and Lenora historical series

On that last night before his sailing, as we lay together, Anton kissed the place above my navel and moved his lips to the valley between my breasts. “You are my whole heart.” His voice was as tender as his kisses. “I would sooner die than let harm come to you.”

I ran my hands through his dark hair, made unruly by our lovemaking, and he came to me with such care, whispering his love into my ear. And then passion got the better of us and the urgency of love overtook us like a wave.

I awoke in the darkness to find the sheets on Anton’s side of our bed cool. I called his name, softly at first then more stridently when I got no answer. Getting no answer still, I pulled on my  dressing gown and went to the window. There, I spied him at the back gate of our garden.

Moonlight shone upon him, and had I not known him to be flesh and blood I would have counted him as an apparition, standing there staring out at the sea.

I went to him, the grass wet and cool against the soles of my bare feet. In a moment, he knew my presence though I had not uttered a word. He held out his hand to me and together we stood watching the moon reflect on the silent water below us.

You can find out more about the novella here

And you can buy a copy here

On a side note, the second part of this series, To the Wind, has been nominated for a RONE as best historical novella. Reader participation counts! And you can vote HERE

All Things Returned is here!

All Things Returned releases today!

Anton and Lenora Boudreaux have settled into an idyllic cottage overlooking San Francisco Bay. They’ve left trouble behind them and found happily ever after—family, friends, and a business that has every expectation of being successful. Until the Willow sails into port. 

The captain of Willow, Jacob Lowell, is privy to secrets that threaten Lenora’s reputation and Anton’s life. When Anton sails to Seattle on a business enterprise, Jacob tries to blackmail Lenora, threatening to expose all he knows and forces her to make decisions that will test her love of Anton and her life with him.
All Things Returned is part three of the Anton and Lenora series

You can buy an e-copy of this novella at--

Amazon
Champagne Books
Barnes and Noble

Find more information on the book and on the series at Anton and Lenora

#SneakPeekSunday--All Things Returned releases tomorrow

It's nearly here! Tomorrow is the day All Things Returned, part three of the Anton and Lenora historical series, comes out to meet the world.
I hope you'll enjoy it and it's companions, Sweet Lenora and To the Wind.

Meantime, here's a sneak preview of the beginning of the story--

Anton pulled off his cravat for the second time. “Foolish speck of clothing—like to choke the life out of a man.”

He fumbled with it until I took the scrap of silk and tied it around his neck, sealing my action with a kiss. “You should try wearing a corset.”

“I think we should pull off all of these confounded garments and run about like babes in Eden,” he said, nuzzling my neck.

I dearly would have liked to take his suggestion. “We have to attend. For our own sakes and for Edward’s.”

For a more extensive peak, please Click Here

There's more on All Things Returned Here

And more on Anton and Lenora Here

All Things Returned Playlist

I listen to music when I write to help bring me to the mood and tone of a book. Here's some of my playlist for All Things Returned. You can click on each selection to hear it on you tube.





All Things Returned Playlist

• After the Storm
• Mumford and Sons


• The Pirate of Penance
• Joni Mitchell


• I Gave You All
• Mumford and Sons


• Gold
• Steve Kazee (Once)
• 
  
• The Ghosts that we Knew
• Mumford and Sons

   An old acquaintance threatens more than simply ruining the happy life Anton and Lenora have built together.

All Things Returned releases on April 7. 

#SneakPeekSunday All Things Returned

I'm getting excited about the release of All Things Returned, the third novella of my historical romance series.  The book will be out on April 7th. Meantime, here's a little snippet-

Lenora Bourdreaux is happily married to clipper ship captain Anton Bourdreux. But trouble comes while Anton is away and Lenora gets a visit from her past in the form of another young sea captain, Jacob Lowell.

I felt little need to defend myself further and put the print down on the table. “Please leave.”

Jacob came up behind me, pinning me between his body and the table. “Is that any way to treat an old friend, Lenora?” At close range, his breath smelled of whiskey. Still, he was someone I had known since childhood. I thought perhaps I could count on him to act as though we were, indeed, old friends.

“Why are you here, Jacob?”

He took my hair between his fingers. “Sweet girl, I have often thought of you. The softness of your lips and your sweet young body--wasted on a scoundrel.”

For more on All Things Returned, please visit to the ATR web page

For more snippets and sneak peaks, visit
#SneakPeekSunday and #SPeekSunday on Twitter
The Sneak Peek Sunday blog
Snippet Sunday on Facebook

My Guest Today--Jill Starishevsky on Child Abuse.

In my debut novel, Blueberry Truth, the title character is a victim of abuse and neglect. I've written before about how the story came about--I taught at a school where many of the children came from situations such as Blue's.

Jill Starishevsky is on the front lines of child abuse prevention. As an Assistant DA in New York City, she has prosecuted thousands of child sexual offenders. I'm honored to have her as a guest blogger, writing about why parents don't talk about child sexual abuse
Here's Jill with more

As a prosecutor of child abuse and sex crimes in New York City for the past sixteen years and a prevention specialist, I have heard all the reasons why parents don’t discuss child sexual abuse prevention with their children. I have heard them so often that I can recite them by heart. In honor of April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month, I decided it would be a good idea to memorialize the top 10 reasons why parents choose not to discuss the subject.

1. Children are seldom victims of sexual abuse. Actually, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, in the United States, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys is sexually abused by the time they are 18. Consider those numbers for a moment. They are shocking and devastating. Those figures alone should motivate parents to seek out prevention strategies.

2. This kind of thing doesn’t happen where we live. Actually, child sexual abuse has no socio-economic boundaries. It doesn’t care if you are black or white, rich or poor or what religion you practice. It can creep in when you least expect it.

3. We don’t let our children go near strangers. Actually, 93% of all child sexual abuse occurs at the hands of someone known to the child and trusted by the parents. Even if a child is never around strangers, he or she could be victimized by a neighbor, a coach, a religious official or family member. Parents who teach only stranger danger are doing a disservice to their child.

4. My child is not old enough for this discussion. Actually, the appropriate age to begin the discussion about child sexual abuse prevention is when a child is three years old. The conversation can start as simply as “Did you know that the parts of your body covered by a bathing suit are private and are for no one else to see or touch?” Continue the conversation by explaining to the child that he should tell Mommy, Daddy or a teacher if someone touches him or her on those private parts. Be sure to include any necessary exceptions for potty training, hygiene and doctor visits.

5. I don’t want to scare my child. Actually, when handled properly, children find the message empowering and are not frightened at all. Parents do not refrain from teaching traffic safety for fear that their child will be afraid to cross the street. So too should we address the subject of body safety.

6. I would know if something happened to my child. Actually, child sexual abuse is difficult to detect because frequently there are no physical signs of abuse. The emotional and behavioral signs that may accompany sexual abuse can be caused by a variety of triggers.

7. My child would tell me if something happened to him. Actually, most children do not immediately disclose when they have been sexually abused. Contrary to a child who falls down and runs over to tell his parents, a child who has been sexually abused is likely being told not to tell anyone because no one will believe him, that people will say it is his fault, that the disclosure will cause great sadness in the family and that the behavior is their little secret.

8. We never leave our child alone with adults. Actually, children can be sexually abused by other children. The very same lessons that can help prevent children from being sexually abused by adults, can keep them safe from other children. Teach children what touch is appropriate and what is inappropriate, teach them the proper terminology for their private parts and teach them who they can talk to if anyone touches them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable.

9. I don’t want to put thoughts in her head. Actually, there is no data to indicate that a child who has been taught about child sexual abuse prevention is more likely to fabricate that they have been sexually abused. According to Victor Vieth, director of the National Child Protection Training Center at Winona State University, “Children do lie, but seldom about being abused. All human beings can and do lie, but it's hard for kids to do it about sex. They can't lie about something they have no knowledge of," he said, “and children don't learn about oral sex on Sesame Street."

10. It’s not going to happen to my child. Actually, as the statistics reveal, child sexual abuse is so pervasive that it could happen to any child. This reason is the catch-all. Educated, loving parents have actually said this to me. If one were to ask any parent whose child has been sexually abused if they thought their child would ever be sexually abused, I can guarantee each one would say no. No one wants to believe this could happen to their child. We need to stop denying that it could happen and recognize that there are ways to prevent it from happening. Make the decision to talk to your child about sexual abuse prevention. It could be the greatest gift you ever give them.

In honor of April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month, copies of My Body Belongs to Me can be purchased for $10 each (retail $14.95). To order the book, email info@mybodybelongstome.com with subject “This April I will talk to my child”. You will be sent a link to order the book at the discounted rate.  To learn more, visit www.MyBodyBelongstoMe.com.

"...In only 19 sentences, this simple book will empower children while promoting open communication."- School Library Journal

“This sensitive, creative book about a very tough topic is a must-read for parents and their young children." -Ann Pleshette Murphy, Parenting Contributor, "Good Morning America"

Jill Starishevsky has been an Assistant District Attorney in New York City since 1997, where she has prosecuted thousands of sex offenders and dedicated her career to seeking justice for victims of child abuse and sex crimes. Her mission to protect children, along with her penchant for poetry, inspired My Body Belongs to Me, a children’s book intended to prevent child sexual abuse by teaching 3 to 8-year-olds their bodies are private. Featured on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” Jill is a prevention specialist who, through media appearances and public speaking events, teaches how to recognize and prevent child sexual abuse.

#BookTrailer: All Things Returned

All Things Returned, part three of the Anton and Lenora series, comes out on April 7.
Here's the brand new trailer for the book--

Anton and Lenora Boudreaux have settled into an idyllic cottage overlooking San Francisco Bay. They’ve left trouble behind them and found happily ever after—family, friends, and a business that has every expectation of being successful. Until the Willow sails into port.

The captain of Willow, Jacob Lowell, is privy to secrets that threaten Lenora’s reputation and Anton’s life. When Anton sails to Seattle on a business enterprise, Jacob tries to blackmail Lenora, threatening to expose all he knows and forcing her to make decisions that will test her love of Anton and her life with him.