Heart of Fiction: Joyce Brennan: Misplaced

Heart of Fiction: Joyce Brennan: Misplaced

Read about the book and enter in the discussion.

Drama in a Small Town: SHORT STORY

Drama in a Small Town: SHORT STORY: I love to write short stories. Hope you enjoy this one. THE BODY      She peeked into her son's room. He was spread out, the same wa...

SHORT STORY

I love to write short stories. Hope you enjoy this one.

THE BODY

     She peeked into her son's room. He was spread out, the same way she left him. She sighed. Better to get this over with. He'd never know...never feel the pain.
     She quietly closed his door and peered out the front window. Nothing stirred. The street lights flickered in the darkness. The decision made, she grabbed the shovel and the flashlight she had carefully placed next to the door, and walked to the back yard. She hung the light on a branch of a tree and began to dig.
     After a few minutes, she stopped to wipe the perspiration from her face. If her husband hadn't left her with a young son, and plagued with debt, she wouldn't have to end things this way. She was out of options.
     She inhaled deeply and continued to dig until the hole was deep and wide enough. She took a quick look around to make sure no one watched. At three am, the neighborhood was quiet.
     She made a trip back to the house for the body and carefully wrapped him in an old quilt.She dragged the bundle outside, next to the hole. She wished it didn't have to end like this, but it was the only way. She lowered the body into the hole and began to fill the space. Tears threatened, but she sniffed them back.
      She'd miss that old dog, but after he died, she couldn't afford to take him to the vet for disposal. Hopefully, her son was too young to miss him, or ask too many questions.

Drama in a Small Town: WHERE TO BEGIN

Drama in a Small Town: WHERE TO BEGIN: Recently I was asked where I came up with ideas for my novels. I have no one-answer solution. Basic ideas come from newspaper articles, over...

WHERE TO BEGIN

Recently I was asked where I came up with ideas for my novels. I have no one-answer solution. Basic ideas come from newspaper articles, overheard conversations while waiting in line at supermarkets and office waiting rooms, Bits of conversations from friends discussing real-life problems. The possibilities are endless. That said, every book I write starts with, WHAT IF?

In The Hidden Journal, I asked myself, what would happen if a woman, searching for a new start in life tossed a coin on a map to find a place to relocate.
WHAT IF that coin landed in the middle of Kentucky, a place where she knew no one but more important, no one knew her or her past.

Let's go one step further?
WHAT IF once she settled in a small community, she lost her income? How could she support herself.
WHAT IF the man she fell in love with was surrounded my long-time friends and she felt left out?
I tried to incorporate all of these in The Hidden Journal, plus many twists and turns I hope compels the reader to keep turning the pages. That is the ultimate goal of any writer.

While keeping with the theme of the story, a writer must exaggerate both the negative and the positive. Your heroine might fall deeply in love before the world crashes around her, or go deeply in debt before she finds her way back. Whatever theme you decide for your story, give your character many mountains to climb. Allow her to fail and just when things seem the darkest, open a tunnel of light. When writing romance, give your reader a happy or satisfying ending. That's why the reader purchases a romance novel.

I like to write about a heroine who grows and changes. A character who learns life's lessons and overcomes every possible road-block I can throw at her. I hope my readers enjoy reading about those challenges.

The HIDDEN JOURNAL is available on Amazon. Watch for my next eBook, MISPLACED to be released in July

INTERVIEW WITH THE WORKING WRITER'S COACH, SUZANNE LIEURANCE

       Suzanne:  Tell us about your background and how you became a writer/author.  

     Joyce: I WRITE Romantic Suspense, Cozy Mysteries and  women’s fiction for Tirgearr Publishing. I served as editor for a business school newspaper before embarking upon a career with American Airlines.  

   I’ve authored seven Romance novels, three, THE HIDDEN JOURNAL, BROKEN PROMSES, and DON’T DANCE ON MY HEART are currently available on Amazon.

      My short stories have been published in four anthologies. I’m an active member of the Las Vegas Romance Writer’s, a Chapter of the Romance Writers of America, The Las Vegas Valley Writers, and The Henderson Writer’s Group. I give presentations on writing, host both a critique group and a creative writing class, and write articles for a community newspaper.

       I was raised in a very small Ohio town and through my husband’s employment, we were transferred eight times. I pull on the different experiences in the many places we settled. I write my romance novels located in small communities. I began writing short stories for a Write and Read Workshop. My fellow writers encouraged me to expand one of my stories and then I was hooked. Creating a story with twists and turns is exciting.

   Suzanne: What is the title of the book you wish to talk about today?  

Joyce: THE HIDDEN JOURNAL.

Suzanne:  Please give a short summary.

 

    Joyce: THE HIDDEN JOURNAL is about a widowed woman from an abusive marriage who grows and changes. Jenna Mitchell relocates from Chicago to the small community of Crestridge, Kentucky. A designer of greeting cards, logos and advertising copy, she works from home on her computer. Due to the economy, she loses most of her income and is forced to take job in a local Antique shop and eventually buys the business. Her life is interrupted when she finds a journal written by a deceased doctor who exposes secrets that devastate the man she plans to marry.

Suzanne: What was the most difficult part of writing this book - and/or becoming a published author?  

Joyce: FOR ME, IT’S ELIMINATING THE SIDE STORIES AND

CONDENSING THE BOOK INTO EBOOK FORM. I tend to want to tell

everything about everyone.

 Suzanne:What do you enjoy most about being a published author?   

Joyce: THE STAFF AT TIRGEARR PUBLISHING and their group of authors. I have never worked with a more helpful, supportive group. They assist in marketing and keep everyone informed about the latest trends through newsletters. They network on facebook and advertise each other author’s new books. Also, they provide contests and special offers. They are a great group and I feel as if I’ve made life-long friends.

  Suzanne: What is a typical writing day like for you?   

 Joyce: ALTHOUGH I’M NOT AN EARLY RISER, I write in the mornings. I use a

   Dragon program to write my first draft and then edit-edit-edit. I spend an hour a day  
   doing promotion and networking on LinkedIn and facebook, and, of  
   course, marketing.

 Suzanne: What are you working on now?   

 Joyce: I’M WAITING FOR EDITS for MISPLACED, a book due out July 15, 

 and my current writing project is, HE’S SO DEAD. Both books are romantic suspense, but not horror. I’ve ALSO written a series that I need to polish before I submit it to the publishers.

 Suzanne: What is your best tip for aspiring authors?   READ. READ. READ. Read everthing. Don’t stick to the genre’ you write, but expose yourself to the latest trends. Join or create a support group. Aside from belonging to writing groups, I also co-host a readers group at one of the Las Vegas Libraries. Network with other writers and critique groups. Preparing for presentations on writing gives me the opportunity to do research. I give talks at library’s, writing groups and I’ve even addressed a sewing group and a charity based organization.

      I hope your listeners will visit my fan page for more information on my books. www.facebook.com/joycewritesromance

 Suzanne: Joyce, thank you for your time. I'll post the information about your book on my web site.

The Working Writer's Coach www.workingwriterscoach.com   Get my free 5-module e-course, Jumpstart Your Freelance Writing Career!

 

 

Drama in a Small Town: GET/GOT

Drama in a Small Town: GET/GOT: One of my pet peeves is the use of the words, get and got. I am especially annoyed when I read, "I've got to go." I have got, ...