My Writing Process - Blog Tour

I was tagged by JM Stewart to participate in the Writing Process blog tour. When she asked if I was interested in participating, I thought it sounded like fine. Unfortunately, I haven't found anyone who wanted to join in so I can't pass the torch. :(

1. What am I working on?

I'm working on a new series. I've had a story in my head for more than eight years now and finally decided - okay, so when the hero stepped forward and refused to leave me alone until I told his story, I didn't really have a choice - to write it. It's not like anything I've written before and actually began as just one book - a love story that can't be called a romance - and quickly became two, then three.  If things go well, there will be seven books total in this series.

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

I'm a rule breaker. A color outside the lines type of writer. I don't like staying within the 'box' that most publishers require romances stay within. I also write deep emotion. I like to push my characters so far out of their comfort zone that at times even I wonder if I'll ever get them to their happily-ever-after.

3. Why do I write what I do?

I write romance because I love reading romance. I've been addicted to the genre since I was a pre-teen and picked up my first romance novel. Why? I believe in love. I truly believe someone exists for each of us - our other half - our soul mate. I believe that love heals even the deepest emotional scars.  And yes, I believe in love at first sight. Believing all of this, how could I write anything else?

4. How does your writing process work?

I'm what they call a pantser, which means I do not plan a thing. I have an idea of how a story begins, and sometimes, but only sometimes, how it ends. Everything else is as much a mystery to me when I sit down to the keyboard as it is to the reader when they pick up my book.

This has changed a bit recently as I'm in the middle of two series, which forces me to plan out a bit more. For example, I need to know how much to tell the reader in book one in order to set up what will come in book two. With characters overlapping both series and weaving in and out of each others book, this can get a bit complicated. For the first time in all the years I've been writing, I have a timeline and - this will shock some of you - I even have two future books plotted out. Meeting - conflict - ending.  Oy! Just the thought makes this pantser a bit uneasy.

The actual writing of the book takes me a while. I'm not a fast writer. I wish I was. Oh, how I wish I was. But I have plans for this year that include completing three full length novels. Did I really just type that? And I thought plotting out novels ahead of time filled me with ill ease.

Thanks for dropping in. As I mentioned, I didn't have any takers for next week, but you can check out the writing process of my friend Amie Louellen today!