Coffee and Conversation with the #RomanceGems

It's time for Coffee and Conversation with the Romance Gems! So, grab a cup of your favorite beverage and join us for some fun. This month's topic is: Tell me something new about you or your writing career.

Spring is often all about new beginnings, fresh starts, and sometimes even starting over. It’s hopefully a time of rebirth and renewed hope. So, tell me…Is there something new about you or your writing career this spring? Are you starting a new project, learning another skill, changing your lifestyle, or perhaps checking off something on your bucket list? Maybe you’re delving into a new genre or finally writing that book of your heart? Let’s talk! 

“Something that's new in my writing career in the last year is branching out into indie publishing. I started four years ago with several publishers and learned so much from the experience. But lately, I'm enjoying having the creative freedom for my books and being able to provide readers with better covers, stories, and prices. I don't like the marketing and promotion that goes along with this, but even the big publishers want you to do that these days. It’s nice having the control to do what I feel is best for my books.” ~ Kari Lemor

“My "new thing" happened in December, when I published a compilation of columns and blog in WINDOW OVER THE SINK. The nice thing about the new adventure is that it's given me a push to seek out another one. I've proposed a series to an imprint I've never explored before. I'm not sure either venture will prove to be successful, but they are both forward motion. And fun. That's the good part!” ~ Liz Flaherty

“I'm trying to exercise three times a week. I'm doing cardio, which, in this regiment means some jumping rope. And let me tell you, after 30 seconds of that, I'm pretty sure I'm dying.” ~ Kara O'Neal

“There’s always something new with this career! When I’m writing historicals, I can take a break and focus on contemporary for a change. I’ve written several Mail Order Brides, now I’m deviating slightly with a Proxy Bride - A Bride for Shane releases in May. Just when the writing life feels like too much of a vacuum, I get invited into a box set with other authors who generously share their expertise and talents as we combine resources. Some days I amaze even myself with what I’ve learned lately. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.” ~ Kathleen Lawless 

“While it’s not my first rodeo as a Women’s Fiction Writer, it’s been a while since I wrote for the mainstream. To my delight, a major publisher is interested in the work (of course I haven’t finished the story…never do). The editor’s letter was one of the most positive I’ve received in my almost 25 year career. She provided detailed comments for all 5 books in the series and now I am typing away to get the full manuscript to her. Her words.. “I devoured the paragraphs you submitted.” It will be nice to be back in the traditional market.” ~ Marcia King-Gamble 

“This month, for the first time, I've started putting my indie published books in multiple digital outlets, where before they were only available on Amazon. How to do this was a huge learning curve for me and I tore out many gray hairs before I understood what to do. Thank goodness for You tube! I plan on releasing the rest of my indie books, one at a time, during this year and then anything new thereafter will go wide immediately - hey, practice makes perfect, right??” ~ Peggy Jaeger

"It’s spring, so time for new beginnings right? I started swimming lessons in August. I’ve know how to swim since I was a child, but another of the swim team moms (our kids swim competitively) didn’t know how and was embarrassed to go it alone. I joined her and now I’m looking at my very first swim meet over spring break! Wish me luck!! ~ Laura Hunsaker

“This spring I'm releasing the Crescent Lake Winery series, and I wrote two new novels for Dickens AND Last Chance Beach. In addition, I've decided to visit an old friend, Melinda Phillips, our heroine from The Matchmaker and The Marine. There will be at least three new seasoned romance books. Just thinking of Mel puttering in her garden and wandering in mine helped me develop 3 new storylines. Stay tuned for details in 2022. Finally, I have a paranormal women’s fiction trilogy planned, three cousins inherit magic when they’re over 40. Who says a new, older witch can’t learn new spells?” ~ Lucinda Race

“Aside from writing my first historical romance, I’m joining the ranks of other so called hybrid authors. Those that are traditionally published as well as self-published. I’m also headed back to the sun and fun of Last Chance Beach and the charming small-town ambiance of Dickens. Plus, I’ll share a new project later this summer.” ~ Kathryn Hills

“I’ve written for several publishing houses and had nice success indie publishing, but this spring I’m working on a new series for a new publisher. It’s so flattering when a publisher comes to you and asks you to write for them. My new series, The Beresford Adventures, will be for the number-one selling historical romance publisher, Dragonblade. Their authors have been holding down the top spots on Amazon charts, and I hope to reap some of their success for my new Regency romantic adventures. Lady Mary’s Dangerous Encounter will be an August release.” ~ Cheryl Bolen

***

Okay, it's your turn to join the conversation! Add your comments below or send via email through the "contact us” link on the bottom of the left sidebar. You can also make suggestions on what you'd like to discuss here in the future.

Thanks for joining us! 

 ~ The Romance Gems ~

From Guns to Garters – It’s All in A Day’s Work by Kathryn Hills #RomanceGems

This past winter brought writing challenges for me, as I delved into a sub-genre of romance. Sure, I’d dipped a toe into the historical romance pool by penning a time travel series. My characters there are split between two periods – present day and the late 1800’s. However, my latest book is 100% set in 1837 America. A fascinating time, fraught with great expansion and unrest. A year that marked the beginning of the Victorian Era, since the young queen was crowned in Britain that June. Writing for the time was exciting for me, and it led to oodles of new research. 

Beginning with Chapter One, I needed to learn about things like sailing ships, trans-Atlantic crossings, educating women, inheritance laws, and the great Panic of 1837. (It sparked a major depression, lasting until the mid-1840’s) Customs, clothing, hair styles, common foods, music, dancing, and popular books came next. Everything from Christmas celebrations (or the lack thereof in much of the northeast) to what one might consider a law enforcement person of the times. Fun fact…America was pretty sketchy back then, with local authority figures deciding much of what constituted crime and punishment. And opinions varied from city to city and region to region. Large cities became known as beds of vice and wickedness. Never fear, I was merely exploring a haunted mansion set in a remote seacoast area of New England. 😊 

But the most challenging thing I discovered about writing a historical romance was the language. Adapting it to modern readers while still sticking somewhat to the spirit of the time. Words and phrases… Idioms! I stumbled to find alternatives to my go-to language. Things like… “Music to my ears” or “Put your back into it.” One yes, one no can use. How about “The end of the line?" Nope, still too early for that one. Could I call someone a “spoil sport?” Turns out I could! The first use of the term appears to come in 1801, according to Wordsmith.org. I also dug deep into my "English Through the Ages" book by William Brohaugh and the "Oxford Dictionary of Slang" compiled by John Ayto. 

It’s impossible to write as they spoke back then. I wouldn’t want to anyway, and we’re not even talking way back! But I did want to capture the essence of my historical characters. It made me wonder…since we have so many historical romance authors here on Romance Gems…How do they strike a good balance between current romance readers and sticking to the history? And what do you, their readers, prefer? Do you enjoy all the sprinkling in of past things, such as old words, phrases, clothing details, and possibly even pockmarks, or bad teeth? Maybe you have an author who truly got that balance right? Please share, I’d LOVE to hear from you! 

Be sure to keep an eye out for an announcement coming soon about this latest book. Psst…I’ll share right here on Romance Gems when I can. 

Thanks for reading! 

~ Kathryn

Amazon Author Page  ~  Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook

BookBub  ~  Goodreads

Excuse Me…Someone Is Gettin’ Busy Over Here! By Kathryn Hills #RomanceGems

It can be challenging to work from home. Trying to get everything accomplished, sticking to a schedule, meeting your deadlines with everyone and every distraction imaginable around you. Now imagine you’re a romance author that writes SPICY.

I begin each morning before dawn. Up early so I can get my wordcount in. Pour my coffee, sit down with my laptop… Hang on, a dog needs to go out. That’s okay, I haven’t started writing yet. Wait, it’s snowing again. Now the dog is stuck somewhere in the yard. Boots on, coat. Can’t find my gloves. Sorry neighbors for the scary writer lady in the robe, carrying a Dachshund through the snowstorm. What a visual, right?

Phew… *deep breath*typing, and more typing* Until everyone is awake.

Have you ever read a HOT romance in a crowded place? Maybe a plane, a train, or in a coffee shop? Things are really going great until someone asks you a question. But what if you’re the author attempting to craft that wonderfully romantic, super-sexy love scene with others around you?

…He smiled. That crocked smile she knew and loved. Leaning down, he swept his tongue across her… 

“Has anyone seen my phone?”

“Excuse me…someone is gettin’ busy over here!”

Hahaha.

So, tell me…what’s it like working from your home? I’d love to hear your stories. You know…because we all adore those Zoom crashing kids or the guy with the cat filter stuck on. 😊

Thanks for joining me today!

~ Kathryn

 

Coffee and Conversation with the #RomanceGems

It's time for Coffee and Conversation with the Romance Gems! So, grab a cup of your favorite beverage and join us for some fun. This month's topic is: What is the best writing advice or compliment about your writing you have received?

You know what I’m talking about… That “aha moment” when someone shares a tip or comments on one of your books. Something that truly struck a chord. Whether in casual conversation, in a book review, during an interview, or at a workshop/class or book signing. Tell me what someone said about your writing that truly resonates with you.

"A couple of years before I sold my first book, Always Annie, author Muriel Jensen sent me a letter including the underlined words: "Never give up. Never, never give up." I taped the note to my desk, where it stayed until the ink faded away. It was the best advice I ever had and I still, now that I'm nearing the other end of my career, remind myself of it from time to time. Thanks, Muriel."
~ Liz Flaherty

"It’s been more than twenty years and more than forty books later, but my favorite compliment on my writing came after my first book, A Duke Deceived, was published in 1998. It became a finalist for the Holt Medallion, Best Historical. I didn’t win, but the contest coordinator contacted me afterward to tell me I missed winning by the smallest possible margin, and she wanted to soften the blow by telling me that one of the judges said my book was the best book she’d ever read. That’s the kind of praise one never forgets!" ~ Cheryl Bolen

“I had four books released. I went to my RWA meeting and met, for the second time, a woman who became my critique partner. She said she binge-read the books in the Loudon Series and couldn’t wait for the next one. I was shocked, stunned might be a better word. She wasn’t being nice; she really liked them. We began talking and emailing. Soon we were looking at each other’s pages. Flash forward four years, we talk constantly. She shoots straight, good or bad, and keeps me on the right track." Chapter 1 - MacLellan Sisters with Newsletter 
~ Lucinda Race


“I've received several comments/reviews on how realistic my characters are and the research I've put in them. In my book, Love, A Second Time Around, I received this compliment: "Constance crafts stories with characters who are interesting, realistic--people you miss after you read The End. True to Montana lifestyle and respective to Native American beliefs, this is a love story you don't want to miss!" This warmed the cackles of my heart.” ~ Constance Bretes

“Best compliment I received was when I’d written my first romance novel. Glowing rejections, resulted in the novel I entered in a RWA contest. One judge was Leslie Wainger, of Harlequin, her comment: best synopsis she’d ever read!

 “Even though I didn’t make that Harlequin sale, three months later Hilary Sares, at Kensington, purchased my novel for the Precious Gems line. My package landed in the snow leaving the final three chapters unreadable. I agreed to resent it. Hilary said I didn’t understand. She wanted to purchase the novel. Now with zero revisions!”
~ Connie Vines

“The most rewarding response I've received from a reader was an email from a sexual assault survivor. She said her therapist told her to find some women’s erotic fiction to help her feel "normal" again. She found my book Perdition House Part 1 An Erotic Saga. She thanked me for helping in her recovery and providing a book that had no triggers.

"I cried when I got the email and so did my daughters. It's a woman thing, but we all want to feel those feelings and I helped a young woman heal. It doesn't get any better than that!” Perdition House Part 1 is always #FREE ~ Bonnie Edwards




“When I sold my first Precious Gems to Kensington, my mother was proud. However, I did mention the editor had added a few words to the love scene (which wasn’t originally hot). She told all her gray-haired friends that the editor wrote all of the love scene! I suppose her daughter shouldn’t know that stuff.” ~ Jan Scarbrough

“The best compliments I've received from readers are when they tell me my books made them cry. In Elusive Dreams, Tessa has a hard past, and as her history reveals itself, many things come to light. I've had a number of reviews letting me know the reader had tears in their eyes, or bawled like baby. I love when people feel the emotion of the characters! I know I've done my job!”
~ Kari Lemor

“At a writing conference a reader came up to me and said “I felt every emotion Regina was going through in CHRISTMAS & CANNOLIS and she sounded so real on the page. Like we’d be best friends in life.” That moment made my year. My goal as a writer is to elicit all kinds of emotions with my words and characters and make my heroines be the kind you’d like to have as friends and root for. Goal accomplished with this reader’s words!” ~ Peggy Jaeger

“One of my best compliments came in the form of a rejection. I stopped writing for a few years. When I started submitting my work again, I pitched a romantic suspense to my old editor at Kensington. I wasn't feeling confident and needed familiar territory. The editor didn't offer a contract but left me with a compliment instead. "You write in the style of Iris Johansen. This one just isn't right for us." Just a few words, and the rejection stung, but they were words I needed to hear then, and still keep me going today.” ~ Maddie James




“A couple of career highlights stick out through the years. One was when a reader told me she cried while reading the most difficult scene I ever wrote, one I had sobbed my way through. Another was when the fabulous editor I worked with at Pocket Books told me my work was so clean, she read it and edited it at the same time. No revisions! Music to an author’s ears.” ~ Kathleen Lawless

“Two things stick with me. The first was when a reader reached out to say I was her ‘go to author’ when she needed an escape. She also LOVED my hero and explained that Highland House – the Victorian-era mansion in my Time Traveler’s Journey Series – was her ‘happy place’ and her 'dream'. She would pick up my books whenever she wanted to get away.

"The second happened recently, when a friend commented, ‘You write one hell of a sex scene.’ Quite a complement if you understand how much time and effort goes into writing those challenging pages.”
~ Kathryn Hills



Okay, it's your turn to join the conversation! Add your comments below or send via email through the "contact us” link on the bottom of the left sidebar. You can also make suggestions on what you'd like to discuss here in the future.

Thanks for joining us!

 ~ The Romance Gems ~

ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT TO ENTER OUR

MAY CONTEST!

Visit HERE for contest details OR go directly to our Rafflecopter

May Prizes

1st Prize: $20.00 Amazon Gift Card

2nd Prize: $15.00 Amazon Gift Card

3rd Prize: $10.00 Amazon Gift Card

Best of luck to everyone!

Writing will take you places by Jan Scarbrough #RomanceGems

“One of the best things about being a writer is that writing will take you places you perhaps never expected to go.” How to Write a Damn Good Mystery by James N. Frey

This is so true!

When I wanted to write a romance set on a dude ranch in Montana, my first stop was the Internet. I had once visited Yellowstone National Park, so I found a dude ranch north of the park in Paradise Valley. I used this ranch as my setting with a fictitious name, of course. During a recent summer vacation, I had a chance to see the real Paradise Valley and visit a real Montana dude ranch. My imagination wasn’t that far off, but it was fun seeing it in person.

Earlier in my career, I wanted to write a cowboy hero. As usual, I didn’t have any experience. But I could research. Enter my fascination with the Professional Bull Riders, the PBR. I attended an actual event in Louisville and drove to Nashville for another. I watched PBR events on TV and read about them in books. This is how Judd Romeo in Kentucky Cowboy and Brody in the Montana McKenna’s series came to be.

I’ve stuck close to home for many of my books. There’s not a better place for horse lovers than the Bluegrass of Kentucky. My research here has taken me to thoroughbred horse farms and racetracks. I’ve attended the World’s Championship Horse Show at the Kentucky State Fair and imagined riding and winning on Saturday night.

Once a psychic told me I couldn’t write about a psychic because I wasn’t one. What?! Then how do mystery writers write about murderers or historical novelists write about the past?

Physical places are not the only place writers don’t expect to go. I have written about mediums and animal communicators. Through books and my imagination, I traveled to 1283 England to write My Lord Raven.

When I was starting out, I simply wanted to write a romance novel. It had been my dream for years, and I finally told myself it was time to make that dream come true. It’s been a long haul. I’ve traveled to many places that I never expected to see. However, the journey isn’t over. That next book begs to be written. The next adventure waits to be uncovered.

What about you? If you’re a writer, where has your writing taken you? If you’re a reader, where have you traveled through books?

Comment below. I’ll pick one comment at random (not one of our Romance Gems authors) and send the winner an e-book copy of Brody. I’ll randomly draw on Monday, Sept. 9, and announce the winner here and on the Romance Gems FB Group. Then we will need to communicate, so you can receive the gift.

Don't forget to enter our September Rafflecopter Giveaway – Back to School ... Back to You!
The prizes are listed on our GIVEAWAY TAB above, along with the entry form. You can also click HERE to go straight to the entry form!

The Saga of Kentucky Flame: Bluegrass Reunion Series Book 4 by Jan Scarbrough

In 1998, I’d been writing eight years, and my writing buddy Maddie James had just sold to Kensington’s new line Precious Gems. These little paperback romances were only sold at Walmart, but hey, it was a start. Maddie told me to shorten my 85,000-word romantic suspense to 50,000 words and submit it. I did. I became a published author!

Kensington titled my book Reunited and sold it for $1.96. I was a happy camper.

After my rights were reverted, I sold the little paperback to a company called Five Star. The $1.96 book became a $25 hardback book sold to libraries.

To sell the book to Kensington, I had cut out 35,000 words and the suspense element. When my rights came back from Five Star, I put the words and suspense back into the manuscript. I changed the names of the major characters. By this time, eBooks were making an appearance. I sold the restored book that I now called Kentucky Flame to a small eBook publisher in 2009.

In 2018, I reclaimed my rights for all of my Bluegrass Reunion Series books. Slowly, I self-published them. With each book, I polished them and updated them. I sent them to the editor, and each book made several passes through her sharp eye and pen. I rebranded the books with new covers.

The moral of the story is books you love don’t have to go away and die. Breathe new life into them. Kentucky Flame was the first book I ever wrote, the first book I sold, and truly the book of my heart.

You can grab an eBook copy of Kentucky Flame until June 16 for 99 cents! Here is a link to all the eBook retail sites where you can buy it.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED

Our June Wedding promotion, is open. Watch our Wedding video, You Are Cordially Invited. You find it on our Movie Theater page: https://romancegems.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_14.html and also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Afw8-IuApeI .

To see the gorgeous prizes and to enter our June Rafflecopter, visit our Monthly Giveaway Page: https://romancegems.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_28.html .

Or you can click this short link if you wish: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/21df08a224/.

Beginnings by Karen Whiddon

Ten years ago, I had never set foot in a gym and didn't even own a sports bra.  I was inching closer to a big birthday, but still had a few years before I hit it.  I was out of shape and slightly over-weight.

For my birthday, my husband gave me membership in a new gym that had opened up and a month's worth of personal training.  I was intrigued.  I was also terrified.

Hey, I'm female so my first worry was what to wear.  I went to Academy and purchased a new pair of sneakers and some workout pants and shirts, but still no sports bra.  Not sure why that didn't even occur to me.

I showed up at the gym, which felt like a foreign country with all the scary equipment, and reported for my first personal training session.  It was eye opening.  And I realized then that I needed a sports bra.  Hah!

I ended up getting in shape, losing weight, and when I hit that big age milestone, I was good.  Now I work out at home (and yes, I did slack for a number of years before picking it back up in 2017.)

Writing can be the same way.  You want to write a book.  You have a good idea for a plot, you have characters even.  But you're not sure how to begin.  Some folks just go to it, figuring they'll learn as they go.  Others read up on the craft, attend workshops, join critique groups.  Many do both.  And along the way, they write.

I began writing because I was a voracious reader.  I read everything I could get my hands on, and I read fast.  This was in the days before there were e-readers, so I had TONS of paperbacks and hardcovers sitting around.  I estimate I've easily given away three thousand books over the years and I still have a large collection at home.  Not including what's on my Kindle, which is where I do most of my reading these days.

I know many of you reading this blog are readers.  Some are writers.  And maybe there might be a few who are wanting to become writers, but just don't know where to start.  This is for you.

Don't let fear hold you back.  Even published authors experience fear when beginning a new project or trying to write something out of their comfort zone.  Believe me, I speak from experience.  Get out there, find other writers, whether on-line or in person.  Learn.  Read.  But most of all write.  Like just about every other single author out there, I have five completed, unpublished manuscripts that I wrote while I was learning.  Just like me learning to do push-ups or burpees, you can't nail it until you practice.  So practice.  Get those words on paper.  WRITE!

~ ~ ~

Let's keep April's contest going!

If you haven't seen the details on this month's Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt you can check out all the information, including how to enter, on the "Giveaway" Tab at the top of the blog page.

There's an egg out there somewhere. Here are the possibilities for today's search: FACEBOOK WEB PAGE INSTAGRAM   GOODREADS

Do you #Read your books or #listen to them? by Peggy Jaeger #RomanceGems

I was the first person I knew who bought a Kindle back when the retail price was $349.00.

Now they're what? $39? 50 dollars? Since I flew so much and always had 3 or four books packed into my luggage, adding to the cost per pound of air travel, I figured the investment was worth the convenience. And it was. I lovelovelove my Kindle, still, to this day. Ereaders are still, apparently, popular even though real honest-to-God-books are making a comeback.

But...

I was recently exposed to the world of audiobooks and I have to tell you, I think the future in books is in this rapidly growing industry.

Have you heard of AUDIBLE?

I never had until one of my publishers, The Wild Rose Press notified its authors they were offering us the option to have our books uploaded to audio. At first I resisted. After all, I wrote books. Book were made to be, well, read. Not listened to. And besides, I arrogantly asserted that no narrator but myself could do my words justice. I wrote them. I was the one who knew how they should sound, not some anonymous narrator who wouldn't do the work any justice.

Arrogant, thy name is Peggy.

Then, one day, I met a woman who changed my opinion forever. A patient of my husband's, the woman was sixty-eight, housebound for the most part, and blind since birth. She knew I was a writer and asked if any of my books were available on audio tape. She was a great "reader" of books in Braille, but she'd been afflicted in the past few years with debilitating arthritis and could no longer use her fingers to read. Her daughter had gotten her a subscription to Audible and now she could enjoy her favorite author's again by listening to their newest books.

It's not often I am struck speechless. I think I can count of the fingers of one hand and still have 4 left over the times I have been. So, I did what I usually do when I'm exposed to something I'm unfamiliar with: I researched.

According to a report issued by the Audio Book Publishers Association, audio sales jumped 22.7 % in 2017 to just under $2.5 billion in sales. Another published in AP, states that book publishers are embracing the format more and more. Then I spoke to several of my author friends. Unanimously they agreed that offering your books in audio was a great way to get your books in front of people who couldn't read in a conventional way.

So...
I have now begun offering my titles on audio. Next month I'll explain the process, but for now, I'm thrilled to announce the following titles are currently available on Audible.

During the next few months, two more titles will be added:

I hope to have the rest of my books uploaded within the coming year as well.








Next month for me: what goes into getting your book available in Audio. Until then, don't forget the March Romance Gems giveaways:
 There are three different ways you can win. See all the prizes on the Monthly Giveaway page. GOOD LUCK!

Comment & Win:

Leave a comment on any post in March + Your Email Address—written out, i.e. Mary at yahoo dot com. (We need your email to verify you are who you say you are and to contact you.)

The more comments you make; the greater your chance of winning. Winner selected by random draw from eligible entries.

Prizes: $5.00 Amazon Gift Card at the end of each week beginning March 8 for a total of 4 Amazon Gift Cards.

Friends Tell Friends:

To enter, send your friends to visit us. When your friend visits and reads a post, she should (1) leave a comment with her email address written out (2) leave the name and email of the friend who referred her. (Readers, coordinate this with your friend.)

Both names/emails will be entered in Friends Tell Friends Giveaway. The more friends you bring; the greater your chances of winning. Winner selected by random draw from eligible entries at end of March.

Prizes: Romance Readers Tee & Audiobook by Nancy Fraser

Luck O' The Irish Rafflecopter:

1st Grand Prize Winner

The Honor of Naming a Female Character in an Author's upcoming Book plus $10.00 Amazon Gift Card.

2nd Grand Prize Winner

The Honor of Naming a Male Character in an Author's upcoming Book plus $10.00 Amazon Gift Card.

Other Rafflecopter Prizes are shown on the Monthly Giveaway page.

Enter the Rafflecopter and the other Giveaways often. The more you enter; the better your chances to win.

Click to enter LUCK O' THE IRISH Romance Gems Giveaway

Writing the Dreaded Synopsis by Karen Whiddon #RomanceGems

As part of my writing gig with Harlequin Romantic Suspense, I'm required to turn in a detailed synopsis every 3 months.  My editor reviews and approves this and from that synopsis, I write my next book.

When I first started writing, I hated writing a synopsis.  Despised them, in fact.  Now, I don't see how I ever wrote a book without one.

Since I have a synopsis due in two weeks, I thought I'd share my process with you.  Disclaimer:  this may not work for you or even resonate with you.  We all have our own methods, and this is simply mine.

Let's say I don't even have a glimmer of an idea for my next romantic suspense.  What I do know is that there will be a hero and a heroine and either a murder or a threat.  I focus on the people first.  I list out a description, their job, and what they want in the beginning of this book.  I will also try to come up with at least one reason why the hero and the heroine cannot be together.

After the basic character sketch, I spend a few moments on the setting.  Fictional town or real, where it is located, what kind of place it is.  Time of the year, and the duration of my story. (Two weeks? A month?)

That done, now I can finally list out my plot.  Please understand, I don't do all this in one setting.  I have to let it percolate a bit.  I might spend time one day working on my heroine and hero, the next day the setting.  And then I have to think about the plot.  Not only what's going to happen externally (the threat, the murder, whatever,) but the progression of the romance between the couple.

Usually for a 70,000 word Harlequin Romantic Suspense, my synopsis is 6-7 pages long.  Single spaced.  Early in my writing career, I'd try to be a vague as possible, citing the fact that I was a "Pantser" and liked to write by learning as I go.  I'm working on my 59th published book (yikes!) and my 49th Harlequin and if there is one thing I've learned after writing all these books, the more I know before I begin, the better.  The characters will still find ways to surprise me, I won't get bored, and I won't spend time trying to figure out how to get out of a corner that I'd managed to write myself into.

And I learn a lot when I writing a synopsis.  I write down random things that might happen and see if the book will need them.  It's easier to plot the entire story in advance and then write it, especially since I have such tight writing deadlines.  My next venture, writing a new three book series for myself to self-publish (while continuing to write for Harlequin,) won't require a synopsis for each book.  But guess what?  I'm going to write them anyway!

Happy writing!

PS - check out one of my short Pack stories - on .99 to buy on Amazon or free with Kindle Unlimited! I just love this cover!

 Mate of the Wolf

Book Covers by Karen Whiddon #RomanceGems

As part of my journey into the oft-perplexing waters of self-publishing, I've been trying to learn Photoshop Elements.  But, because I'm impatient, and I have a lot of back list books I wanted to get up, I purchased three covers from different sources.

I've learned that cover prices - and quality - vary greatly.  However, I do know what I love in a cover and once I found what I was looking for, I jumped on it.

The first cover I purchased was for Secrets of the Wolf. I like this cover a lot.  It fits the mood of the story and makes me happy.    The second cover I purchased (from a different artist) was for Touch of the Wolf.  Similar theme, different colors.  I still love it.

And the third cover - for Cry of the Wolf - I was looking for something different.  I wanted a female shape-shifter, since the story belongs to my heroine.  I found the perfect cover and purchased it.

What do you think?  Which cover do you like best?  What draws you to a book cover?  I'd love to hear the answers, as I have more books for which I need to purchase covers.

Purchase Secrets of the Wolf on Amazon here          Purchase Touch of the Wolf Here

Purchase Cry of the Wolf here

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