Oh Look! There Goes Something Shiny!

~~ Vonnie Davis

You be the judge. Do I have ADD, an overactive imagination, or trouble finishing what I start? Or do all writers' minds simply work like mine--easily distracted by shiny things?

I was writing the first book of a new paranormal series--The Shifters of Sonas Isle--and was about ten chapters into Kendric's story, when I received a few emails from readers, telling me how much they adored Effie my pink-haired hippie from the first bear sifter series. When could they expect to hear from her next?

I'd always felt I'd stopped Highlander's Beloved series too abruptly. My publisher's choice, not mine. We talked and arrangements were made for me to continue the series on my own since six months had passed since publication of the final book of the trilogy. So, to please my Effie fans, I began to plot book four of Highlander's Beloved--The Doctor's Bearside Manner.

Before I had chapter one written, a publishing company to which I'd submitted three chapters and a synopsis of a contemporary romance requested a full submission. Only there was no full to be had. I'd laid the book aside to work on my paranormals. I explained to the editor and she said she'd wait. So I shifted mental gears from the Highlands of Scotland to Philadelphia.

I've been working on that book for hours every day. Ignoring the idea that came to me a couple weeks ago about a group of writers. Okay, so I made a list of their names, but I've not gone any farther with it...honest.

Then a butterfly flew past. An historical editor put out an idea for books set in Scotland, near the Highlands, in 1877. Why? There was a huge mine explosion in this area at that time. I could use ancestors of my Matheson bears and...

See what I mean? I wonder how I've written 18 books in 5 years when I can't seem to stay on track? Certainly I'm not the only writer who deals with this. I'm not special. Scatterbrained, maybe, but not special. Something shiny flits by and I have this compulsion to chase it. I think it's a sickness.

*** If I don't respond until the evening to your comments, please understand my Calvin is in the hospital. He had a minor heart attack, so my days are spent with him until the nurses chase me out.

I Like Romance in a Community by Vonnie Davis

There seems to be two types of romance. The singular type that features mainly the heroine and hero and a friend or three, perhaps a parent. Then there are communities to which the couple belong--small towns, bike clubs, a large group of friends, workplace environment or a church. I tend to enjoy these types more.

I think families, folks we hang out with or groups to which we belong tell stories about us and also our characters. We include people who are wise, concerned about their place in society and warm-hearted souls. Kinda like...well...unlike the group shown here.



I enjoy hearing a little of everyone's story. Maybe because I spend so much time alone writing or maybe because I love watching people...and reading about them too (that's polite speak for nosy). Debbie Macomber writes some great community-type romances. So does Robyn Carr. You don't mind when they take you away from the romantic couple because you get an insight into others' lives and what they add to the dynamics of the story or series.

Take my Effie in my Highlander's Beloved Series, for instance. She's an over-protective grandma, a survivor of Woodstock, a flirt. a lover of pink and a real pip.

She plays a major role in all three of the books. Here's the beginning of chapter one of book one, A Highlander's Obsession:

Paisley Munro tried to not gawk at the two broad-shouldered men in kilts as she hefted her suitcase off the luggage carousel in the Inverness Airport, located northeast of the city referred to as the capitol of the Scottish Highlands. Her grandmother, on the other hand, was all eyes.

“Before we leave this country, I’m finding out what they wear under those kilts, even if I have to hike one up and take a gander myself.” Her grandmother patted her curls. She’d dyed her hair dark red for the trip. Unfortunately, the inability of her white hair to absorb the dye’s full effect resulted in a halo of pink curls. The combination of her tresses and her pink pantsuit made her look like the Pink Panther with wrinkles, just as skinny and wiry but without the tail.

“Behave yourself, Gram.” Paisley tugged her grandmother’s luggage off the slowly moving belt that squeaked with every couple inches gained. No use telling the free spirit to act her age. At seventy-four, why should she start now? “Our ride ought to be here somewhere.”

Paisley glanced around for Fiona Matheson, who should be holding a sign for Matheson Lodge. Fiona had promised in her reservation confirmation e-mail she’d meet them.  

Gram elbowed her. “Good grief, they’re coming toward us. Look at those broad shoulders and hairy legs. I’m not drooling, am I?” She pulled her shoulders back and thrust out her chest. She lowered her chin to talk to her breasts. “Look perky, girls. Sexy hunks at two o’clock.”

A Highlander's Obsession: A Highlander's Beloved Novel
by Vonnie Davis
Link: http://amzn.com/B00ILX9WC0

A Highlander's Passion: A Highlander's Beloved Novel
by Vonnie Davis
Link: http://amzn.com/B00N6PD78S

Bearing It All: A Highlander's Beloved Novel (releasing October 27th)
by Vonnie Davis
Link: http://amzn.com/B00TCI2A5E

My Eyes Get Blurry

Vonnie Davis

I really don't know what to write about to grab your interest or entertain you today. Odd, isn't it? I mean, I'm a writer for heaven's sake. I just can't seem to keep my mind focused on one thing. I've got so much to do--and don't we all? How did life get to be so busy?

Right now, I am over-scheduled with contracts, which is a good thing, a grand thing. But ladies, it's all I do. From nine in the morning until one the next morning, my laptop and are I attached at the thighs. There are emails, self-promotion, facebook, twitter, street team management and writing. Around three in the afternoon, my eyes are so tired, I take a nap for an hour, so I can see the print on my computer screen. My eyes get blurry. This is pretty much the life all writers live, especially if they're retired like I am. It's not glamorous. To move forward, it has to be our main focus.

 Right now, I'm writing book two of my "Wild Heat" series about firemen for Harper Impulse--For the Love of a Fireman. At the same time, I'm also going over the edits my editor at Random House Loveswept wants in book two of my paranormal "Highlander Beloved" series. I'll be honest. Signing contracts with two publishers at the same time was not the smartest move on my part. I thought I could handle the stress, the time drain, the mental confusion of switching from writing in a Scottish burr to firemen's lingo in Florida. Just call me foolish...sigh.

I'd love to be able to show you the cover of book two -- A Highlander's Passion, but I'm not allowed. Random House has contracted an exclusive cover reveal with a large blog. But here's the cover for book one, which is already out.

My editor at Random House also wants me to send along chapter one of book three of my next highlander book to insert as a teaser at the end of book two. To be honest, I really haven't given much thought to that book yet. I was hoping for a week of brain rest before I started it. Random House has asked me to write exclusively for them. For self-preservation and to get part of my life back, I agreed.

My editor called the other day to brainstorm on my next series. I was so brain-fried, she did all the brainstorming. I could barely pull together a puff of wind. I just took notes and said, "Okay" a lot. She went over what types of stories were going out of style and what readers are looking for now.

I kept asking myself, how do they know what the average woman wants to read? And, please God, don't let her saddle me with a story concept I can't get behind. So in the later half of 2015 and 2016, I'll be writing three books about returning servicemen -- wounded and with PTSD -- who band together in a small town for the quiet, the remoteness, as they adapt to society again...and, of course, the women they meet. All I have to do is send her four paragraphs about each book, like what you read on the back of a book cover, only in more detail for her approval.

When someone looks at me and says, "I'd like to write a book someday." I want to reply with, "You'll work harder than you ever have in your life."...."You'll also have more fun than you've ever had."

And you'll need to grow a thick skin because some reviewers can be brutal and downright cruel. For example: "Really? This is the piss-poor book you wanted to write?" I bawled. Some can make your day shine like one I got recently. "Vonnie Davis is a modern-day bard of romance. Her mastery of writing mechanics is sublime, elevated to such a high standard that I don't have anything to say about it." I think I'll focus on it instead of one I once received "This woman can only write on the third grade level. I could only stand to read one chapter. Avoid her." Oh, if she only knew how hard I worked to get my bachelors in English while working in a factory at night and raising teenagers as a single mom. Couldn't she just have said, "This book was not my cup of tea?"

Have an awesome day, ladies. Guess what I'll be doing?