My Writing Process Blog Tour

Welcome to the My Writing Process Blog Tour. Many thanks to Annette Snyder who invited me to participate. You can find Annette's blog at http://www.annettesnyder.atspace.com Annette's book Intimate Flames was a 2011 EPIC finalist.

Here are the blog questions and my answers.

1)      What am I working on?

At the moment I’m working on a women’s fiction novel set in the Isle of Palms, South Carolina. I live in South Carolina and have been to the Isle of Palms many times, so it seemed like a good location.

 My heroine, Alex, had a domineering, critical father which has colored her image of herself. My hero, Rhett, comes from an old, influential family. Alex describes their life together as a fantasy, a never-ending dream, but one day Rhett comes home with news that will shake the foundations of her world.

 Then she meets Harland and soon finds there is a choice to be made.

 At this time I have no idea what the title will be.

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

Both romance and women’s fiction can be erotic in nature, but that isn’t me. I don’t know if I could write erotica. It would be more like an instruction manual than anything, so I think that is one important distinction.

 Another distinction is that some of the novels I’ve read are over the top and probably couldn’t happen in real life. I try to write things that could happen to anyone.

3)      Why do I write what I do?

I write romance and women's fiction because I think that first of all, most folks are fighting some kind of battle in their lives.  Maybe they’re in a relationship that went bad, and they’ve lost the one they love.  Whether it was by divorce, death, or just walking away, it tears a huge hole in someone’s heart.  Maybe the problem is health-related.  Someone has to accept that there are now limitations placed on them.  Have you ever dealt with unemployment?  How do you feed your children with no paycheck?  My romances always have a happy ending which gives us hope that tomorrow things will be better.  We can believe that ‘this too shall pass.’  

 Romance also satisfies our craving for justice. In my work the bad guys always get what’s coming to them, and so do the good guys.

 Besides, I’m a romantic at heart.

4)      How does your writing process work?

Naturally, it begins with an idea. Sometimes I can identify the source and sometimes not. Then I choose characters that I think would fit the story and make up a profile for them. Then, I start to write. Plot wise, I know where to start and where to end up, but everything in between is a mystery. I allow my characters to reveal themselves as I write.

I hope you've enjoyed a glimpse of my writing process. On June 9, your hosts will be Jennifer Gravely, Joselyn Vaughn, and RosaLinda Dias.

Jennifer Gravely: http://jenniferraegravely.blogspot.com

Born in Ohio but raised in Pickens, SC, Jennifer Rae Gravely graduated from Converse College with a triple major in history, politics, and English before earning a master's degree in education. Returning to her high school alma mater to teach English and coach volleyball, Gravely's teams won five state championships and seven upper state titles in eleven years. Moreover, the SCACA named her coach of the year for the 2013 season.

Jennifer writes about the fictional Southern town of Keowee. The Astraea Press novels, Knight of the Dead and Set to Love, in addition to the short story, "Love and Diamonds," deal with present day Keowee and are contemporary romances.

She lives with her husband, daughter, seven beagles, and one rescued barn cat.
Jennifer loves to talk beagles, balls, and books!

 Joselyn Vaughn

I live in the Great Lakes state with my husband, three rambunctious children and one geriatric beagle. When not cleaning up the disasters left by the aforementioned, I enjoy reading, running (sometimes it's fleeing the craziness at home), reconstructing clothing, thrift store shopping and surfing Pinterest.com. (I spend way too much time there and am getting all kinds of exciting ideas for projects for my husband to do. He is less than thrilled by this.) 
 

I love writing romance because I enjoy stories where everything works out all right in the end and the main characters have a happily ever after. My stories are set in small towns with quirky characters that take on a life of their own.

I would love to hear from you. Stop by my blog (http://joselynvaughn.com) or connect with me on Facebook (http://facebook.com/joselynvaughn).

RosaLinda Diaz 

RosaLinda was raised in a particularly magical section of Los Angeles; between the original Disney Hyperion Studios and Snow White’s Cottages. The magic in the air and soil gave her already active imagination roots and wings. Wings that took her gypsying around Europe, Australia, and Africa, and roots that brought her back to California to earn her B.A. at Pepperdine University. She makes her home in California’s Central Coast igniting the fire of creativity and sparking imaginations with her endeavors. Find her at http://rosalindadiaz.com/RosaLinda_Diaz/Welcome.html