Thursday, August 29, 2013
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
My First Historical Novel
I
never intended to write a historical novel. It’s not because I don’t enjoy
reading them. I do. I just want to read historically accurate fiction. While it
is fine to have a jet flying overhead when watching a Mel Brook’s western, not
cool in historical romance. This means if I write one, I want it to be
historically accurate.
So
why am I jumping into this pool of uncertainty?
I’ve wanted to write a prequel of sorts to The Coulson Series. My
initial plan was to take the readers back to the 50s and 60s, to tell the story
of a younger Garret and Alexandra. While that period might be teetering on the
historical, it is my generation so I don’t think it qualifies.
While
plotting my story, I had a nagging desire to take it back farther. This series
is actually a family saga – so shouldn’t I go back to Randall Coulson the
founder of the town?
The
story ended up not being so much about Randall – but more about his wife Mary Ellen
Browning, who was born in 1900. It took a surprising twist for me, and will
make readers of Lessons and The Senator’s Secret take a complete different look
at those books, and the stories told.
This
morning I finished the first draft. Still no title; this one hasn’t come to me
yet. Writing involved a fair amount of
research. One thing that helped, my main character was a few years younger than
my Grandma Hilda, who when she was alive, shared stories and anecdotes with me
involving her younger years. There was even a saying she shared with me – one my
grandfather told her when they were newlyweds – which I gave to Mary Ellen’s
brother.
This
story spans almost fifty years, from 1900 to 1949. I found it fascinating how
much the world changed during my character’s lifetime. Born just 35 years after
the end of the Civil War, in 1949 Mary Ellen’s world was a vast different place than it
was when her story began.
There
is still work to be done – rewriting, beta readers, editing – oh, and it needs
a title and cover.
Wish
me luck!
(Photo: Grandma Hilda and Grandpa George, same time frame as the first part of the story mentioned)
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Sensual Romance Series Book Video
Some people call them book trailers - yet that is a trademarked term, so I call mine a book video. Presenting the new book video for my Sensual Romance Series. Hope you enjoy it!
Thursday, August 8, 2013
While Snowbound - A hot romance in a snow storm
Snowbound with the hot rock star wasn't her fantasy, but it did rock her world.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Sugar Rush hits the Havasu Paper!
Actually - it was in the local newspaper paper almost two weeks ago. I'm just a little late in posting the piece. Thanks to the Havasu News-Herald for their nice article on Sugar Rush that appeared in their July 27th, 2013 edition.
Other news: my cover artist, graphic designer Elizabeth Mackey - just completed book covers for my Sensual Romance Series. Look for the paperback version of all three books in the series - After Sundown, While Snowbound and Sugar Rush in the near future!
Write on!!
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