Writing Spaces and the Writing Journey by @Karen Whiddon

I first started trying to write a book when I was pregnant with my daughter, nearly 40 years ago.  Handwritten in a lined spiral notebook, I had about 70 pages in a romance story when my now ex-husband found it and set it on fire, burning it into ash. That's another story for another time and I won't go into it here, but suffice to stay I didn't try again for years.  8 or 9 years, to be exact.

I'd always wanted to try writing a novel again so when I had six-eight weeks off work due to a hysterectomy, I knew that would be my time.  By then I had an electric typewriter (no computers yet,) and I sat at my kitchen table and typed.  I completed that book, single spaced (not knowing any better,) and roughly 140 pages.  So proud, I sent it in to Harlequin Books and went back to my insurance job.

That book didn't sell, in fact it would be five more books and another 8-9 years before I finally sold a book.  By now it was 1996 and Kensington Books (Precious Gems) purchased a book.  My first sale!  By now I had a computer and I used the advance to purchase a laptop.  My own laptop, an open box IBM clunky thing that I was so happy to have!

I'd graduated from the kitchen table to a desk in our guest bedroom.  I shared the space with a bed and dresser, but that was ok.  When my daughter graduated high school in 1998 and went on to college, I turned her bedroom into a real office and I use that room today still.  I collect stuffed dogs and books (obviously,) though I have really thinned out my paperback collection (and I still have more bookshelves full of books in another room!)

Many computers (and books) later, I now have both a desktop and a laptop.  I do my writing business in the office (email, blogs, proofreading, line edits, etc.) but all my actual writing is done in my recliner in the den on my laptop.  I usually share the seat with one of my dogs.  If it's winter, I have a fire in the fireplace and a mug of hot tea or cocoa.

Sometimes if the weather is nice, I'll sit outside on a swing in the backyard and write, but more often than not, allergies and insects drive me inside.  Writing makes me happy, and so do my writing spaces.

Recently, I put several more of my backlist books up on Amazon.  Free in you're in Kindle Unlimited, and $3.99 otherwise.

Check out The Wolf Whisperer.  I love the cover.  Buy Here on Amazon

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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