THE BOOK IDEA FACTORY

By Caroline Clemmons

One of the most frequent questions authors receive is, “Where do you get all your ideas?” One author, Bobbye Terry, says she gets them from a small factory in Ohio. That always makes me smile.

The truth is that ideas are everywhere. They pop into my head when something I read or hear sparks an idea. Anything works. When I was about twelve, my father told me a good writer could create a story about a grain of sand or a fly on the wall. I was incredulous until I thought about his comment.

Where had that grain of sand been? Had it traveled around the world on someone’s shoe or had it blown in from New Mexico on a dust storm? (I was raised in West Texas where we had frequent sandstorms and dust storms.) How did the fly get on the wall? Had it narrowly avoided a spider web? I realized my father was right—a writer can use anything as the impetus of a story.

Newspaper work is fun but didn't pay very well.

Much later I worked for a newspaper as a columnist and reporter. My job was to talk to interesting people and write about them in my column. Given that much license, I went crazy. Soon, I was filing too much content for my column and they were printed as human interest stories. I met so many fascinaing people in that job. But I digress.

You see, the idea for a book is the easy part. Yes, I’m serious. Numerous people have told me, “I’ve got a great idea for a book. Why don’t you write it and we’ll split the royalty 50/50?” Um, thanks but NO WAY!  The hard part is taking an idea and developing it into an interesting story.

Author Gene Fowler said, “Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank piece of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.” Fortunately, writing is not that bad.

How do authors actually produce a book? I can only speak for myself. I’m part of a wonderful plotting group. To plot, four of us get together about twice a year for a several day retreat where we sequester ourselves in a lake house or hotel suite. (Adult beverages may be consumed to facilitate the process—as well as chips, guacamole, and lots of chocolate.) Each author brings her ideas for three or four books to the retreat.

Of course we look like this when we meet. ☺

She has to already have the hero, heroine, location, situation, motivation, conflict, and resolution in mind. Then we take turns fleshing out the book’s order, turning points, boosting sagging parts, and so forth. It was one of the members of this plotting group, Kathy Shaw, who came up with the name Bride Brigade for my latest series. The other two members are Geri Foster and Sylvia McDaniel.

Realize we aren’t “writing” the books together. We come up with a basic outline which the author takes home. The outline is like a road map when traveling. You know your starting point, your destination, and stops in between them. However, you can take side trips or add an extra stop or two on the journey.

If one of us has a problem between retreats, we meet for lunch and resolve the issue.  And we also meet to talk about marketing.  There’s always something new to learn about marketing. Keeping up is an author's constant battle.

Marketing--the author's dilemma

For critiquing the work, I am part of a great critique group of Geri Foster and Brenda Chitwood. We are constructively brutal when we read each other’s work, which means we don’t just pat one another on the back but we aren't mean-spirited. Each of us wants our book to be the very best it can be and want the same for our other members.

Now you know how we take an idea and create the framework for a novel. Then comes hours and hours and hours of time at the computer. I use a desktop PC in my “pink cave” office and tap away at the keys. I love writing. As my grandmother used to say, “I’m as happy as if I had good sense.”

Happy me in my little office

My latest release is ANGELINE, Bride Brigade book two, which came out March 1 and is available at http://www.amazon.com/Angeline-Bride-Brigade-Book-2-ebook/dp/B01CEK3W0S/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1456929859&sr=8-18&keywords=Caroline+Clemmons.

I’m still promoting my Montana Sky Kindle World, AMANDA’S RANCHER and the link to buy that is http://www.amazon.com/Montana-Sky-Amandas-Rancher-Kindle-ebook/dp/B01BL0HKPK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1456929757&sr=8-3&keywords=Caroline+Clemmons

In April, I’m part of an anthology titled COME LOVE A COWBOY. My contribution is a novella, GRANT ME THE MOON, which will be released as a single in June.

As you can tell, I have lots of ideas and implement as many as possible. 

Thanks for stopping by. I’ll give away an e-copy of ANGELINE to someone who comments today.

TRYING SOMETHING NEW

by Kathy Shaw

Up until now my books have been the usual length. I write slowly and my writer friends are always urging me to pick up the speed. Honestly, friends like these can be a pain in nether regions, can’t they? But they also help me focus and remain creative, so what am I going to do?  

I've tried writing faster. If only I didn't weaken and turn on the TV with my first cup of coffee. First thing I know, it's time for lunch. Rats. My New Year's Resolution is to skip the TV and take my cup of coffee (otherwise known as a life-giving infusion) and go straight to the laptop.   

I'm doing one other thing to lessen the time between releases. I decided to write a novella. Hey, since it’s shorter, I figured this might be my forte. In fact, four of us decided to try our hand at publishing a box set of steamy novellas and a couple of others joined us. We came up with YOURS FOR THE NIGHT as a title for the set we released last month. 

Each of these novellas feature a hero and heroine who meet for a one-night stand only to learn they have the start of something better. It's romance, so there has to be more than just the one night. Can't have Happily Ever After without the Ever After, can you?

No matter how I try, I can’t keep my smart a@@ humor from slipping in to my writing. I no longer even try. Go with the flow, right?

That’s why my latest in the box set YOURS FOR THE NIGHT includes my special wacky sense of humor.  When a couple who feel they’ll never meet again decide to give in to the moment, she tells him to call her Tequila—her drink of choice. Since he’s drinking Jack Daniels, he says his name is Jack. Fair’s fair.

This box set includes six novellas. So now you have six authors for one price, and one of these authors is NY Times, USA Today bestselling author Geri Foster. Here’s the lineup: Geri Foster, Sylvia McDaniel, Kathy Shaw, Carly Dean, Simone Blake, and Suzanne Graham.

Here's the Amazon link:  http://amzn.com/B00QCX6THC 

I hope you’ll give our new effort a try.

FOR LOVE OR MONEY?

By

Kathy Shaw

          I have a decision to make and would like your help. Or maybe I just need a sounding board. So, whether you’re a reader or a writer, all comments would be greatly appreciated.

          In the past, New York Publishing Houses would tell you to write the book of your heart and they would buy it. I did and they published it. We were both happy campers.

          And then my eyes were opened to the lucrative world of Indie-publishing. Needless to say, I jumped in with both feet. Career-wise that was the best decision I’ve ever made.

          Now here comes the big decision I spoke of earlier.

          I’m not being told I need to write the book of my heart to be published. Now I can write and publish anything I want.

          Currently, I want to write the second book of my Darla Bodecker mystery series. The first was BLONDIE AND THE HIT MAN and featured Darla as a sassy, sexy, smart private eye. Darla, the character, is relentless. She talks to me in the shower. She talks to me while I’m driving. She even talks to me when I’m writing something other than her story. Like now.

Hush, Darla. I’m busy!

          Unfortunately, no one told me that mysteries, in general, don’t sell as well as romances. Mysteries sell—just not in the volume of romances.

          Don’t get me wrong, I love to write romances too. I just don’t currently have a romance story burning to be told.

Again, shut up, Darla. I know you already have a story.

          To complicate the situation, I’m one of those ill-fated authors that can’t turn off the inner editor, which translates into being a very slow writer.

          So I guess this all boils down to: Do I write Darla’s second story, get her off my back but only make about half the money I would for the same time spent? Or do I learn to ignore Darla’s bellyaching and write a book that will put twice as much money in the bank?

          What would you do?

I'M FLUFFY!

by

Kathy Shaw

            I’m fluffy—and proud of it!

            Fluffy in my writing style, that is. (“No Comment,” concerning the magnet on my refrigerator stating, “Ewe's not fat. Ewe's just fluffy.”)

            Tolstoy, I’m not. Actually, I don’t want to be a War and Peace kind of author. Personally, I think there is plenty of daunting, serious stuff in the world without me adding to it. I just want to entertain in my own light-hearted, unadulterated way. But enough about me.

            Let’s talk writing styles. Imagine writing styles as animals in a zoo.

          

What's cuter or cuddlier than kittens?

  There’s the fluffy section that houses the cute and cuddly animals. They make you laugh and feel warm and fuzzy inside. This is my kind of place. You can also find Rachael Gibson, Janet Evanovich, Stephanie Bond and many more living in my world of fluff.

           

Edvard Munch, "The Scream"

There are the caged areas where scary creatures with weird weaponry and psychopathic personality disorders reside. They make your heart pound. Adrenaline floods your bloodstream. Your hands shake as you study the beasts but they draw you in, torturing and satisfying you at the same time. This is where you will find authors such as Lisa Gardner, Lisa Jackson or Edgar Allen Poe.

           

There is even a Pachyderm Pavilion where huge elephants move slowly, but with purpose. They make you ponder the world as you know it or remind you of how small you are in the grander scheme of life. Tolstoy, Orwell, Hemingway and Dickens are just a few of the greats living in the Pavilion.

            

My zoo even has a hidden stable where magical beings are kept. You might see shape shifters, vampires, immortals, ghosts, witches or even an elf now and then. This is an eclectic mix of creatures, some are funny, some are scary—but they are all hotties. Because really, who wants to live forever ugly? This habitat includes Sherrilyn Kenyon, Dianna Love and H.T. Night among others.

            I just skimmed the surface of the many inhabitants/writing styles in my fictional zoo, but I’m sure my point was made. I enjoy many hours visiting most of the areas in my zoo, but I live in the fluffy section.

            So I repeat. I’m fluffy—and proud of it!

            As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on my thoughts. Please leave a comment; good, bad or ugly, and I’ll get back to you ASAP. The bad and ugly might have a little bit of a wait (it takes me a while to lick my wounds) but I promise to respond to all.

P.S. If you want to see just how fluffy I am, my books are listed below. Click on the title to go to the Amazon link.

I Do—Kinda (Contemporary romance)

Hide and Seek (Contemporary romance)

Twin Trap (Historical romance)

Blondie and the Hitman (Humorous Mystery)

CONFESSIONS OF A ROMANCE WRITER

By Kathy Shaw

            I don’t like sex.

            Wait! Back up. I left out a word!

            What I meant to say was: I don’t like to write sex. (Love ya, Honey!)

            There are two kinds of sex scenes. The bad ones and the good ones. I’m going to review the good and the bad and totally ignore the ugly of sex scenes.

            Please remember the following statements are just my humble opinions. That said I feel I should warn you, I’m one of those people who believes if I have an opinion everyone is entitled to hear it.

            Let’s talk about the bad. You know, the sex scenes where we have four pages of tab A into slot B with no emotions in sight. Now grant you, there’s nothing wrong with this if you’re wanting to read (or write) a “sex” scene. These kinds of scenes are jarring to me when I’m knee-deep into a “romance” novel, but they have their place in the right genre.

            And then there are those scenes that reside on the opposite end of the spectrum. Passionate emotions pour from the couple with the fervor of Romeo and Juliet, Lancelot and Guinevere, and Tarzan and Jane all rolled up in one. Okay, maybe not the jungle couple, but you get my drift.

            They wax on to near nauseam about the depth of their partner’s blue eyes or the shine of their golden locks or maybe the smell of vanilla and sunshine that radiates from their every pore—or some such nonsense. The closest we get to any tab/slot action is the soulful claim that they fit together like two perfect pieces of the same puzzle. There have been occasions where I’ve forgotten they were even naked.

            But enough about the bad, let’s talk “good” sex. (Do I hear a chorus of “Yes, please!) Because really, there’s nothing better than good sex—unless of course it’s great sex. But I digress.

            Writing good sex is a careful blend of the examples of bad sex we just talked about. It shouldn’t be a block of emotional connections that switches into the “meat” of sex. (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.)

            A touch should evolve both a physical and emotional response. Those responses should graduate exponentially with where you are in the love scene. Which makes sense, right? You don’t want them to have an emotional climax while still in the petting phase of loving-making.

            Writing good sex is very difficult, which is probably why I don’t like to do them. That being said, after hours of pulling out my hair, agonizing over just the right words and making sure body parts can actually bend and twist as I’ve written them; I am always pleased with the final draft of my love scenes.

            Always take into consideration when in the story the love scene takes place, the circumstances of both the physical and emotional situation of both characters, and above all else the storyline. If they need to have sex in Chapter One (God, help you!) make it happen believably.

             Final words/advice if you're an author: write what feels right.

            Am I wrong? Right? Or left some vital piece of helpful information out? Let me know. I’m always in search of an easier way to write sex.

            By the way, did I tell you that I have just agreed to write an erotic novella? I’m such a glutton for punishment!

            Kathy Shaw’s latest release is BLONDIE AND THE HITMAN, a Darla Bodecker mystery, and is a humorous mystery with a dash of romance. Buy her book here.  

THE PLOT'S THE THING!

By Caroline Clemmons

Once upon a time, I attended a Story Magic workshop given by Robin Perini and Laura Baker. And that’s the real start of my romance writing career.

Although it’s been years now, I will never forget that day of the all-important workshop. I sat beside Sandra Crowley in the second row. A lot of my current besties were there: Geri Foster, Carra Copelin, Lyn Horner, Sylvia McDaniels, Kathy Shaw, yada, yada.

Why do I remember it so clearly?

I'd written news stories, but they're strictly facts. And they're written so that they can be shortened as needed without diluting the story's impact. This doesn't translate well to fiction, even though the training is invaluable.

When I first began writing fiction, I’d know how the story started, how it ended, and some of what happened in the middle. I’d go with that and start writing. And I’d have to cut a scene or a chapter because it didn’t fit (which wasted all the time I'd spent writing that part) or I’d get stuck and not know what came next. For the first book I wrote, I got to the end and learned that my story was too short. (See Kathy Shaw’s April 10 fun post “Help I’m Stuck In The Middle.”)

One day this miraculous, serendipitous, wonderful event happened and I attended the Story Magic workshop. You’ve heard people say a light bulb went on when they learned this or that. For me, a searchlight-sized spotlight went on over my head. What had been missing from my writing suddenly became clear. I needed to plan—to actually plot out my book from start to finish, including characters, back story, and what happened in each chapter, the good stuff, the bad stuff and why it happened. 

Who knew?

In the course of the day, Robin and Laura shared their secrets for plotting. Some who attended that day didn’t get it or didn’t like the concept. But I was on fire with enthusiasm. 

For me, the information was like being given the secret handshake to the Sisterhood of Successful Romance Writers. Arming with these tools empowered me. Now I had the method and could deal with my weaknesses and those of my characters.

Here I am eighteen titles and numerous anthologies and boxed sets later and I’m still using the Story Magic method to plot. Stick with what makes sense, right? Anytime I’ve tried to coast, I’ve gnashed teeth, wept, and had to go back and review. 

This stuff works for me. It works for numerous friends. We continue using this method to plot our books.

That’s why just an idea for a book is not enough. Writing takes lots of work over time. For some that's weeks, for others (like me) that's months. 

Sure, I love writing and can’t imagine doing anything else. I work to improve. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I fail. I work just as hard in either case. 

But I really, really want to please readers. I want you to love my babies! All writers want that. 

And we’ll be living and writing happily ever after—as long as you keep reading our books.

HELP! I'M STUCK IN THE MIDDLE

Readers, please welcome our newest blogger, author Kathy Shaw. Kathy writes funny, sexy romantic comedy.

HELP! I'M STUCK IN THE MIDDLE

By Kathy Shaw

            Probably the second most asked question I get (behind where do you come up with your ideas?) is: What’s the hardest part of the book to write?

            Hands down, it’s the middle.

            I’m not sure if it’s the adrenaline of starting a new project or getting to amuse myself by writing two people’s highly-volatile emotional dislike of each other, but I love to write the first third of the book. Yes, not all romances start with the hero and/or heroine in-hate with each other. There are stories of friends falling in love or non-combative competitors falling in love or maybe a dozen other scenarios where emotional aversion is not the jumping off point. But not in my books. Where’s the fun in that?

            And then, there’s the last third of the book. This is the section where they know they love the other (although they probably haven’t admitted it yet) but there is too much “stuff" between them to over-come. I could go on, but that’s for another blog.

            So let’s get down to business. The Middle!

            Or more importantly “being stuck in the middle.”

            This is where the hero and heroine fall in love. But what makes them fall in love? What makes them fall off the deep end?

            Well, heck if I know!

            Over the years, friends and family have shared their stories about how they fell in love. The sagas all go about the same way.

            The couples meet. This is where I always get a lot of endearing details. (First third of book)

            Then, they say, “We fell in love,” and sigh. Just that one line—no details, no particulars, no how-to-pamphlets. Nada! This is where I want to tear my hair out. (The dreaded middle)

            Next, they wax on about their happily-ever-after or lack there of. Yea, we’re back on the research trek. (Last third of book) Remember, I’m saving my creative anxiety concerning a book’s ending for a future blog.

            So, here’s what I’m hoping will happen. Share with me how you fell in love or how/when you realized you were in love. Please, please! Because…

HELP! I’M STUCK IN THE MIDDLE!