Tag: writers

Writing my Third Novel

I’m working on my third novel, An Unexpected Lady, and asking myself – what is the hardest phase of writing a historical romance?

There are struggles with every single step, but for me, the very beginning is by far the hardest. I have an idea. I have the general story arc. I’ve been world-building for a while. Now I have to pull it all together into something cohesive and outline each chapter. What is the purpose of the chapter? What are we supposed to feel? Why am I making it so complicated?

All my thoughts end up in such an untidy collection of dialogue, description, and backstory. I have to ignore the fact that it’s a huge mess that I will come back to and make sense of. It will be refined and made into something readable, but it seems so daunting at this stage. It feels endless and chaotic. Nothing is in the right sequence at this point and I can’t even determine if the chapters are superfluous or not – if I’m deviating from the original storyline. This phase is all about ideas. And they are so very rough that it looks unlikely that it will ever become a readable, much less enjoyable.

Then, when I have each chapter outlined and a jumbled mess of words serving as placeholders, the second phase starts. This is the most enjoyable because it’s where I take each chapter and make it into something I like. With each read through, I allow the quirks of personalities to come forward and get ideas about external factors and minor characters. I delve into feelings and personality quirks.

And when all that’s done, in the final draft, I try to create prose that I’m proud of – to build ambiance, nuance, and emotions. There are a million ways you can rewrite something, and finding just the right way is so frustrating but it’s also so much fun – even when the words don’t come easily.

Slow burn in Romance novels

At the core of Regency romance lies a timeless love story. Whether it’s the tension between headstrong heroines and brooding heroes or the delicate dance of courtship, the genre weaves tales of passion and love that resonate across generations. The slow burn of romance builds anticipation, keeping me eagerly turning the pages or glued to the screen.

But I also enjoy how the genre has adapted to modern times, and in a sense, current Historical Romances are far more realistic than classical novels. There is sex – and lots of it – often before marriage. And I do believe that that is more realistic than the old-fashioned view that everyone had the discipline to wait until the vows were said, and no one had uncontrollable urges.

My novels are closed-door (sex is implied and not explicit) simply because I love writing about characters more than action. I love the tension and slow build and then a hint of passion.

In my recent novel, Marry Me, Duke, there is a scene (spoiler alert) where the main character, Ginny, is in a marriage that has not yet been consummated. She is chomping at the bit and her husband Hugh has his reasons for holding back.

She is very attracted to her husband and is baffled by his reticence. In one scene, she gives Hugh a massage, and it leaves her wanting and unsatisfied. I confess I loved writing that scene. I could feel her frustration – and his as well. I think I would have liked the scene much less if it had been explicit, and I hope I left readers wanting more.

Oh, how I love a slow burn.


Image generated by AI – Midjourney

A Writer’s Dilemma-A Wealth of Knowledge

“Just write the damn book.”

This was the advice given on this wonderful Reddit thread. The OP asked: Hello, beautiful community! Wondering, what was the best advice you got that helped you?

The answers were a gift that keeps on giving. I must share what I consider to be the best advice of all.

Quote:

“Just write the damn book.”

Honestly, that was the best advice someone gave me years ago. I was so hung up on if I was writing something my family or friends would be proud of, instead of just writing what I wanted to write. Writing without worrying about social etiquette, societal morals, or if someone would approve. It was such a freeing experience and I learned a lot about myself.

So, I just shamelessly wrote the book, and here I am years later, wishing I had just bit the bullet and started sooner.”

I feel this. It is very difficult to write without anticipating other people’s reactions, and if one dwells too long on this, it will totally corrupt the writing. Many of us are people pleasers and want people to like and relate to our work. But writing to please is a betrayal that kills and the joy and freedom writing should give.

It takes a long time to get over the need for approval. And now, on top of that, comes the desire not to offend. Not to use offensive language and character portrayal is a minefield. There is a need for sensitivity readers. In my next book, my main male character will show signs of mental illness and I briefly wondered if I should add a trigger warning in the book description. I wrote one up and then decided against it.

Some other pearls of advice from this Reddit thread are:

“You have to get up in the morning and write like a drunk has to drink”.

“You can’t fix a blank page.”

“Write the story you want to read.”

This is what I do and though my approach is not the most popular in my genre, I have to write what is fun for me, not what is popular. I do get up in the morning, and get drunk on writing.

Artwork generated by AI using Midjourney.

A Writer’s Dilemma – A Word of Advice

A word of advice to someone whose mind is full of ideas and leapfrogs from one to the next but never completes anything. I read this plea for help from a writer whose mind works like many, many other writers. We are full of ideas. Too many–all at once. I get it. Ideas are wonderful, and I never ignore creative inspiration.

Crafting a story is not just about random thoughts and inspiration, though. You’ve got that side of things down pat. Creativity is a wonderful beast. Keep that imagination tuned by jumping from idea to idea. This is a good thing!


While doing that, pick one idea to finish. The story you pick, work on for at least 30 minutes every day: rewriting passages, finding better ways to get your idea across, fleshing it out, developing characters to make them more interesting, etc.

Do this until you finish it. Then proofread and correct grammar and maybe find a beta reader. Then, look at the publishing end of things and find cover art for it. Then look at the marketing tools available and decide what you want to do and set that up. Decide whether you want to self-publish or submit to agents.

Creativity is amazing, but finishing something is tremendously satisfying, too.

All it takes is the discipline to do it for 30 minutes a day.

You have to get to the finish line.

Image generated by AI.

A Writer’s Corner – Opinions

Advice for someone who has had too many conflicting opinions on their book and it is messing with their creative process. Breathe deep and relax.
Ask yourself: When you read your book, do you actually enjoy it?
I don’t think it’s a great idea to rely on other people’s subjective opinions. There will never be a consensus.
The writer posing the question had feedback from someone they considered to be an amazing editor. They are ready to publish but held back because of OPINIONS.
Some people will love the book, and some people won’t. There is no perfect. Flip the switch and put it out there.

Image generated by AI using Midjourney.

A Writer’s Corner – Seeing the Characters

In a forum, someone asked: Do authors have a clear idea what their characters look like? I 100% cast my characters as if the book were a movie.

I confess I do, too. In my next book, How to Care for a Duke Hugh, the Duke of Albemarle, looks like Timothee Chalamet. I see the tousled hair and a relaxed, lanky body. While the main female character, Ginny, looks like a russet-haired Elizabeth Moss. The Dowager Duchess is a slightly older-looking Joely Richardson.
The secondary characters are less defined. The evil protagonist, the duke’s cousin, looks like Ralph Fiennes with a trim beard. Intense eyes and a sharp face. I love seeing these actors as my characters.

I experimented with Midjourney, trying to build my mood board for the book, and came up with the fabulous but totally wrong portrait of Hugh. I wanted Hugh and Ginny with her wearing the hat. This is such fun, though.

Image generated by AI using Midjourney.

A Writer’s Dilemma – The Big Mistakes.

On Facebook: What are the biggest mistakes you made/are making as a beginning writer?
This question comes up a lot, as in this thread

Three important things that lept out among the answers were:
Some said things like:
“Listening to other people’s advice. Some was good but some was damaging. And also, not listening to enough advise. There you go.”
“Probably thinking my first novel would be ready to publish before I learned a few things.”
“I am realizing I just did not give myself enough time. I’m trying to figure out how to fix that.”
“So I guess my best advice to this question is seek people who know more than you do before leaping into the fray. Then trust where life takes you and keep learning!”

Things I did that are considered ‘wrong’ were deciding against having an editor, not researching the process of BETA readers and ARC reviewers before publishing (though some say this is a complete waste of time since less than 20% of readers leave a review), and not establishing a marketing plan before publishing.

I was so excited to have finished the book and so proud that I wanted to hit the button and release it right away. Was this a mistake? I don’t know. I always considered the first book like the first pancake. It’s not going to be the best in the stack. I will learn and grow, and that will show.

Unfortunately, after publishing, I discovered some typos and errors. One of them was major. I also made the mistake of using the Amazon KDP free promotion before discovering and correcting my mistakes, so 300 copies went out with it.

Sigh. Live and learn.
I confess I have always had the tendency to pull the trigger too soon.
My next novel is a lot better, I think. I still will eschew editing (and from the feedback I got on my prose, I may not need one). But I will try ARC reviews and general public feedback, and my marketing plan is slowly developing and will be fun rather than a painful waste of time.

Image generated by AI using Midjourney to portray a chaotic scene.

A Writer’s Dilemma – Using a Pen Name

In a Facebook writer’s group and Reddit forums, this question comes up again and again: What are the pros and cons of using a pen name?

Many answers are similar, with the ‘pro’ camp weighing in that a pen name does the following:
-Allows you to establish your writer’s persona separate from your identity.
-Allows you to use different names if you write in different genres.
-It is easier to develop a marketing campaign that does not impinge on your personal life.
-You just might not want friends and family to read your work and weigh in if it really isn’t a genre they are interested in.
-Some authors mentioned that they did not want friends and family reading the naughty bits and viewing them differently.
-A pen name allows privacy.

Most of those reasons are why I had to use a pen name, having already self-published an unrelated work of non-fiction under my name.

The main drawback to using a pen name is for people who want their life and personality to be part of their achievement. Using a pen name precludes you from certain marketing efforts like book signings and interviews, I imagine.
One writer said this.
“The one thing I’d always advise new authors to do is consider publishing under a pseudonym. I published my first 3 books under my legal name, and it’s one of my biggest regrets.
You can always reveal your true identity later if you want to. But you can’t undo having published under your real name. Privacy is important and not something to take lightly.”

She further elaborated when asked for more detail.
“I became a private person with age. I don’t want to show my face, share my thoughts on things, etc. At least not attached to my real identity.
Another problem is if you google my name, my current address pops up on some website that shows voter registration. That’s scary. Most authors probably don’t have stalkers, but still… It makes me uncomfortable. Especially being a woman living alone in a big city.
I also dislike having every friend and family member seeing what I’m writing. I’ve felt awkward about sex scenes or violence knowing my dad or grandmother will read. I’ve held myself back from exploring interesting ideas because they were not family friendly enough.
Then there’s work… I was job hunting earlier this year, and it felt awkward that potential employers could see my work if they googled me. Some of my books have topics that could be offensive to certain people. I’m proud of these books, but I’d feel 1000x better if they weren’t attached to the legal name I need for job applications.
I’ve switched to a pen name, but the sad part about that is now I’m having to start over from scratch, and I won’t get to have my previous books as part of my backlist.
Pen names allow you to be as “out there” as you choose. Some authors use them but still show their face and identity, and some want to be totally anonymous. It gives you options. But if you use your legal name, that’s it… you’re out there.”

These comments were in this thread.

Using a pen name should be a serious consideration.

Only two of my friends know what my pen name is, and only two others know I’ve self-published a book. I can’t explain why I don’t want conversations with my friends about my work. If I knew they were interested in my genre, perhaps I would feel differently. I asked one of the two I trusted with this information to give me feedback since I value her opinion (even though historical romance is not her genre).

I got great feedback but heaved a great sigh at the fact that she knows me so well; she thought she saw too much of me in the character’s views. This was a little off-base, as everything mentioned was intentional and was only added because they are part of the story arc. This is what can be expected when people who know you read your work. They will see you in it, or they will try to see themselves or other friends and family in the characters. They will unconsciously look for this. And if you do model characters after people you know, they will be upset.

Pen names are the way to write whatever you want.

A Writer’s Dilemma – Stuck


I’ve been stuck lately on some key chapters of my next novel, How to Care for a Duke. To unstick, I did a number of things.

The most important of which was a change of environment. I am easily distracted by the minutia of daily life if I am dithering on a task. Packing up the laptop and finding a cafe, garden, or library is my go-to to settle down and start creating. As I am writing this, I am sitting in a food court, having arrived early and waiting on friends. Writing is a great way to pass the time.

A Writer’s Corner – The Process

“I was wondering if anyone would be willing to show me the process when they plan their novels? I know we all have our own way in just curious if there’s an easier/more organized route to go!”
A few writers have asked similar questions to this recently.

“A question to those that don’t plan or outline. When addressing the blank page, has the full scene already played out in your head by the time you put pen to paper, or do you take it one word at a time and discover the story as you go?”

One writer states:

“No. I know where the story is going, but I have no idea how this all will happen. Example. My character is going to visit somebody about something. I know who the person is, I know why my character is visiting, but I have no idea how the encounter will actually happen.

I am in my character’s head/body and imagine I am heading to the address. I set out on my way, describe what the character sees and thinks. I arrive, I imagine the house, the environment and whatever is important. He enters the house. Who is letting him in? Greeting. Eventually description of the inside. Dialog. Talk about subject he came for. Ideas that come to mind to make the situation/story more interesting. Possible twist/minor change of story direction. Leaving the house. Thinking about what happened, conclusion. End of scene.”

This is exactly how I approach writing. I definitely have an outline and know the goal of the scene and then walk through it as if in a movie.

Many writers used a form of ‘discovery writing, a term paraphrased Stephen King. He has said if he’s not surprised by writing a story, how can his readers ever be?

I started my first novel this way, and the early chapters are the weakest, in my opinion. I get mired in detail and lose focus. I sometimes end up throwing what I’ve written away, which makes me cringe. Whole chapters have gone in the recycle folder. No, this isn’t for me. The arc comes first, then the detail involves getting into the mood.

Whether it’s an entire novel or a chapter, my process is now the same.

First, I outline the plot points, build the characters and their backstory, define the pivotal moments, and break down the steps that lead to the pivotal scenes. I often write the climactic scenes or dialogue very early so I can add elements that foreshadow. I pretty much always follow this. It works well for me. I never bother to fine-tune or work on the prose.

Next, I work on building the mood and emotion, filling in the gaps to bring the reader into the minds of the characters.

Last, I write the prose, knowing what I want to say and what emotions will be portrayed.

This process works for me very well. I will finish the current novel within three months using this method. I think I’ll stick to it.

Image generated by AI using Midjourney.