This week I’m participating in a Romance Writers Blog Hop. Not only do you get to know a little about me and my writing process, but I get to introduce you to fellow romance authors and learn their individual writing styles and processes.
This Blog Hop was passed on to me by Carol Malone.
Carol Malone has successfully combined her three passions – romance, sports, and writing in her 5-Star rated eBook “Fight Card Romance: Ladies Night,” and became the first woman to climb under the ropes of the boxing ring to punch her way into the all-male dominated genre of the pulp Fight Card series. Her story is a genre mash-up of kick-in-the-pants, fist-pounding action and happily ever after.
Carol’s books entice readers to scramble into a front row seat for a power-packed thrill-ride or swoon to stories of tender, sweet passion. If not hammering out new tales, Carol’s reading, watching sports on TV, or hanging with her sci-fi author husband on the coast of California. Her next story is a sweet contemporary romance between a hunky fireman and a strong, determined nurse.
On her website, facebook or Twitter, Carol’s always ready to talk sports and amour and tell you about her latest book releases.
And now, here’s a little about me and my writing process!
What do I write?
I write historical romance set in Regency England. The Regency was a brief period during the Georgian period when George III was deemed unfit to rule and his son, George, Prince of Wales, was named Prince Regent. Specifically, it dates from February 1811 until January 1820.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a series of stories involving some unexpected lords. I am working simultaneously on book #1 about Graeme, the Duke of Claremont and book #3 about Andrew, the Earl of Penfield. I have four books in the series so far, and I know my characters for each one and the general situations revolving around them. They are recurring characters so you may see them in future stories, as well.
How do my historical romances differ from others in the genre?
I like the lighthearted Regencies as much as the next person, but because of the work I do, I tend to add a little more realism to my stories.
My heroes aren’t the typical Regency hero. My heroes of my current series are titled, but they are reluctant lords. They were never meant to inherit and did not want the responsibility that came with the title. With a little help – and some love – from the heroines, they learn to embrace the opportunities they have been given. My heroines are also not the stereotype simpering misses, bluestockings, and wallflowers. My goal is to make my characters and situations that we as readers can relate to. People aren’t perfect, and neither are my characters. They have flaws like the rest of us and have to work to get past them along with the ups and downs of their romance.
Why do I write historical?
I live and work in the modern world, sometimes up to 14 hours a day – and that does not include my writing time. At the end of the day, it is nice to escape from the T.V. and radio, text messages and phone calls. It’s nice to lose myself in the world of morning calls and visits from friends.
Also, Georgian and Regency England was a time filled with change. It was the beginning of social reform that led to the rise of the middle class, advancements in the industry, medicine, and science and the end of nearly forty years of constant war. While most people are familiar with the time period as the age of Jane Austen and associate it with stories that are light in nature and context, the Regency world is not so different from today’s world. Much of what happens today was relevant in the past, and regardless of it being 1814 or 2014, human nature doesn’t change how people act or react in situations.
How does my writing process work?
I tend to be a plotter, rather than a pantster, and am forever finding inspiration for stories everywhere I go. Many of my ideas come from news stories or calls I hear at work. Occasionally I’ll hear a song lyric that sets me off. Even while working on my series, I have another story in the works that is based on a line of dialogue I heard on a T.V. show.
That’s it. An entire novel based off just one line of dialogue.
I am always “armed” with what I call my Writer’s Toolkit. It includes sticky notes, a sharpie, a pen or pencil and my mobile phone and prodigious amounts of coffee. I know it sounds strange to have my mobile phone listed as a writing tool, but with today’s technology, it is impossible not to utilize it as a handheld computer. Of course, it helps that I have my phone and computer synced together. All the apps on my phone are on my computer, so all I have to do is refresh the program, and all my work is still there. It’s like magic! I once did an entire scene on the mobile phone while boarding a plane. The lady behind me complimented me on my speed and said she’d hate to be on the receiving end of the text message she thought I was sending! What can I say, I have mad thumb skills. :)
For each scene, I have an image in my mind like a movie that keeps playing over and over. To get it just right, I have to work in layers.
I start with the dialogue. I plot the dialogue for what seems like days. I’ll be running around town doing errands with a glazed look in my eyes, and it appears that I’m talking to myself. In reality, my characters are talking amongst themselves. When I feel I have it just right, I write down what they’ve been telling me, but only the words. Once the conversation is down, I add the behaviors and actions that go along with it, followed by the setting and incorporating sensory details. In a scene with no dialogue, I start with the action and build from there.
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