When did you decide to become a author? By Connie Vines #Round Robin #Becoming an Author #BWLPublishing

 Topic: When did you decide to become an author, and what inspired you?

I'm not certain when I decided to become an author. I loved to read, ponder, and ask questions. Apparently, too many questions.

I was able to print my name, and my mother made sure I possessed a library card before I was enrolled in school.

Summers were spent with my paternal grandparents in the Texas panhandle. I recall sketching chickens and diligently noting that the eggs a chicken laid matched the color of the hen's ears (yes, chickens have ears).

I imagine my spelling was atrocious, but it mattered not because my story was proudly taped on the kitchen "ice box". 

I was a stay-at-home mom before my children enrolled in school. I worked from home (medical transcription, legal depositions, and deposition summaries).

My first published story was for a children's magazine, "Junior Medical Detective". I went on to publish in "Humpty Dumpty Magazine" and other children's/YA magazines, as well as other nonfiction magazines, before writing fiction novels.

I attended workshops and writing classes and toyed with the idea of writing fiction...but writing for children and writing for adults is more difficult than I realized. 

It's not only the topic, plot, sub-plot, and dialogue. It is sentence structure, word count, description, and emotions. It involves transitions, flashbacks, and the realization that you cannot force your "characters" to bend to your "will". It consists of writing, rewriting, and reminding yourself not to quit your "day job". 

I joined Romance Writers of  America and attended local meetings at the Orange County Chapter. We met at the Sizzler restaurant once a month (before moving to the Brea Library). I had wonderful mentors who looked over the first draft of my novel and encouraged me to make revisions. 😕 (Charlotte Lobb and Rita Rainville had red-penciled notes on my manuscript.) At the next meeting, I learned my novel was 50 pages too short. 😟

However, like all good stories, there was a HEA (happily ever after) ending to this story. My mentors, and my dear friend, Geeta (Kakade) Kingslesy, encouraged me until I succeeded. 😀

Did I stay on topic? 

I don't recall ever deciding to become an author. I memorized the oral histories told to me by my grandparents and great-grandmother. I observe the world around me. And I feel the unspoken emotions of those around me.  

And from this, the magic of an untold story begins...  

Happy Reading!

New this month, "Lynx" Rodeo Book 1 is available in audio. at Audioble.com 

https://www.amazon.com/Lynx-Rodeo-Romance-Book-1/dp/B0FK6RF75H/ref=sr_

For more adventures in writing, visit the talented authors participating in this month's blog:

Sally Odgers

Victoria Chatham

Anne Stenhouse

Connie Vines--You are here  :)

Diane Bator https://escapewithawriter.wordpress.com/ 

Bob Rich  https://wp.me/p3Xihq-3xy

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

My Favorite Character(s) in Literature By Connie Vines #Round Robin, #Favorite Literature #Dracula #Bram Stoker

Thank you, Skye, for another great topic! 

"My Favorite Character in Literature".

Naturally, my choice of a favorite literary character has changed over the years.

As a pre-teen, my favorite literary character was Nancy Drew. Prior to that time, I was primarily interested in horses and dogs.

As far as classical literature, Bram Stoker's "Dracula" is my favorite.

Although the story is told in the form of letters, diary entries, and news bits, from Jonathan Harker's point of view, the intensity of emotion allows the reader to become fully immersed in the story.

Dracula chronicles the vampire's journey from his castle in Transylvania to the streets of London.

Excerpts:

🌄

I read that every known superstition in the world is gathered into the horseshoe of the Capathians, as if it were the centre of some sort of imaginative whirlpool. (page 6)

🦇

When the Count saw my face, his eyes blazed with a sort of demonic fury, and he suddenly made a grab at my throat. I drew away, and his hand touched the string of beads which held the crucifix. It made a change in him, for the fury passed so quickly that I could hardly believe that it was ever there. (page 31).

🦇

All was dark and silent, the black shadows thrown from the moonlight seeming full of silent mystery of their own. (page 270).

Why do I re-read this classic novel by Bram Stoker?

There are other classic Gothic novels: 

Frankenstein, Wuthering Heights, Rebecca, Jane Eyre, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. All of which I have read. 

This is the story that calls to me.

                                📕

And to be completely truthful, reading "Frankenstein" caused me to have nightmares. 

It is also why my paranormal stories tend to be of the RomCom variety.

Happy Reading, everyone!

Visit the other talented participants in this month's Round Robin: 

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/  (you are here)

Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com

Sally Odgers https://behindsallysbooksmark2.blogspot.com

Bob https://wp.me/p3Xihg-3vC

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/  (you are here)

Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com

Sally Odgers https://behindsallysbooksmark2.blogspot.com

Bob https://wp.me/p3Xihg-3vC

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/

Creating Fictional Settings for Our Stories By Connie Vines #RR #Writing Tips #Creating Fictional Worlds

Thank you, Skye, for this month's topic: Creating Fictional Settings for Our Stories.

Last month, our topic was "Real Places" as a setting for our stories. Which was a breeze for me to write. 

While I may 'rename' a town in a story, I'm blending towns I've visited/resided in to create a fictional town. 

Which isn't precisely a fictional setting.

This is also true in my historical novels and short stories. Although my characters may be fictional, the time and place are accurate, preventing devastation.

My heroine may have a personal preference. However, the norms for that time and place will be structured. 

Other Worlds

World-building is a technique used by Science Fiction writers and may be used by Paranormal writers.

Charts and diagrams, rules, norms, kingdoms, alternate dimensions...

I have a tendency to "fixate" (like a four-year-old). 🤣  

Not to an unhealthy extent...but chronic enough to be noticed.

My children would rearrange a shelf with my knick-knacks...and wait...or hide my favorite pen...

You see where I'm going.. 

When I wrote the "Gumbo Ya Ya" anthology, I listened to New Orleans Jazz and Cajun music, prepared Cajun and Creole meals, and more. Since my husband's family lived in Louisiana, I knew its history and geography.  

In other words, I controlled myself. I did not arrange another family vacation. (Having been chased by an alligator during a prior visit to a swamp, probably had something to do with my lack of enthusiasm).

What am I working on at the moment?

This contemporary series will involve several characters from "Gumbo Ya Ya" in the stories (think cross-over series).

This next series will not be set in New Orleans. 

I also have a new YA Series in the planning stages.

Did I stay on topic?

Almost.

I wrote a RomCom Paranormal (which received rave reviews), and I thoroughly enjoyed writing!

Please hop over to the other authors participating in this month's event! 

Happy Reading,

Connie

Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-3rJ

 Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/

Belinda Edwards https://booksbybelinda.com/blog/

Anne Stenhouse https://goo.gl/h4DtKv

Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog

Sally Odgers https://behindsallysbooksmark2.blogspot.com

Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com

A.J. Dyer http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

Real Places (current day or historical). How to Make Them Authentic By Connie Vines #Round Robin, #Writing Tips, #Real Places

This month's Round Robin Topic:

Real places (current-day or historical). How do you make them authentic?

I set my novels (current-day and historical) in a familiar setting. 

My childhood was nomadic, and as an adult, my vacations triggered an idea for a story. 

Weird stuff always seemed to happen to me or around me, resulting in an "inciting incident" for the resulting story.

My work experience included numerous summer jobs and agency short-term assignments, providing fodder for my writing.

While I have zero experience in the life of a Zombie, the novella is set in Southern California. The Claremont Colleges are nearby, as are all the restaurants and vacation spots mentioned.

My Anthology is set in New Orleans, LA.  

I have vacationed there numerous times, and extended family scattered throughout the state.

New Orleans and the Cajun Bayou are famous for their cuisine. I've tasted or prepared every item I've mentioned. 

I was a fragrance consultant at a perfumery. My perfuming background is highlighted in "Love Potion #9. "Marrying off Murphy features a Bachelor Auction for charity (my non-profit background). A Slice of Scandal features the cooking show craze with a touch of murder. Lastly, "1-800-FORTUNE" features a French Quarter Fortune Teller and a Werewolf.

Each story has its own set of tried and true recipes.

My Rodeo Novels, Lynx and Brede, feature Montana, Wyoming, and Texas and the sport of rodeo. My paternal grandparents and three generations before them were Texans. My father rodeoed in high school. I credited "Lynx" with my recipe for "Texas Chili." 

 Please visit all the talented authors participating in this month's Blog Hop.

Happy Reading!

Connie

Bob Rich  https://bobrich18.wordpress.com/2025/03/15/taking-you-there/

Aimee Mann (AJ Mcguire)

Belinda Edwards http://www.booksbybelinda.com/reallocations

Anne Stenhouse

Helena Fairfax

Sally Odgers

Judith Copek

Skye Taylor

What Connie's Reading Thursday By Connie Vines #A Killer Whisky: Alberta (Canada) by #Susan Calder, #What Connie's Reading Thursday #Book Reviews

 

I've reinstated my weekly "What Connie's Reading" Blog Post from several years ago.

Why? I'm still reading and posting reviews (GoodReads, etc.). And because I missed everyone. xoxo

Of course, I still have a stack of readings in progress and a list of ebooks to be read...

This week's favorite read:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Must Read!

Katherine suspects her neighbor was murdered. Detective Tanner, a by-the-book guy, is assigned to the case. When the trail runs dry. Tanner discovers Katherine has a mind for the crime. Soon, they join forces to track down a murderer.

Set during WWI, the Spanish Flu Pandemic and Prohibition add a deeper layer of nuances that immerse the reader in the story. Twists. Turnes. And read herings deliver a satisfying who-done-it mystery.

Goodreads link:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221545676-a-killer-whisky

Publisher's Website: https://bwlauthors.blogspot.com/

Author's site: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1234856.Susan_Calder