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, ...

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, really? Just leave, already. There are many replacement words for get and got.
Get rid of.. dispose of.
Get away...leave, go, escape.
Don't get so...don't become.
Get over it...let it go.
I got a new car...I purchased, bought.
You'll get past it...You'll survive or overcome.
We'll get together at lunch...We'll meet.
Replacement words are endless.
Acquire
Catch
Develop
Obtain
Find
Procure
Annex
Grasp
 The point is, when you use a contraction such as I'VE, it means I have. I have got doesn't make sense. Either you have it or you don't.
What are your thoughts on this?

When I edit my manuscripts, I keep a list of synonyms available. Not to make my words sound stilted, but to keep from repeating verbs. I have dozens of replacements for common words like walk, talk, put, looked, thought, remembered, etc. It helps to keep my voice fresh and my words from becoming redundant.

Reach me @brennanwrites on twitter. My fan page: https://www.facebook.com/joycewritesromance
or leave a comment on this page
You can purchase my latest ebook, The Hidden Journal on Amazon.

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Drama in a Small Town: WRITING REVIEWS

Drama in a Small Town: WRITING REVIEWS: Posting a review on an authors webpage or on Amazon doesn't have to be difficult. You don't have to write an essay or a complete syn...

WRITING REVIEWS

Posting a review on an authors webpage or on Amazon doesn't have to be difficult. You don't have to write an essay or a complete synopsis, but the author will appreciate your words. She or he spent long months writing the book.
Think about what you liked about the book. What kept you reading the novel? Did the author provide characters that you could identify with?
Did the author place you in the scene? Did you get into the character's head? Could you understand the character's thinking whether it was flawed or right on target? Was there a good mix of description and back story sprinkled throughout the story? Don't be the critic, but pick out one or two things you really liked about the story. One line will tell it all.

"The author drew me into the story."

Was the story predictable or did it have enough twists to keep you reading until the end?

"Just when I thought I knew where the author was going, she threw me a pleasant surprise."

Did the story touch a sensitive place in your heart?

"I experienced the emotions as the author spun the tale."

Book sales depend upon reviews from the readers.

Check out THE HIDDEN JOURNAL, by Joyce Brennan on Amazon. Read the first chapter to get a feel for the book. For less than a cup of good coffee, you can download this ebook.
Joyce Brennan