Authors--Traditional or Indie? Publishing Wins and Pitfalls By Connie Vines #Round Robin Blog Hop, #WritingTips

October Round Robin Topic: Indie or Traditional Publishing?

Pros and Cons.

Like many authors, my writing has evolved but has also changed to accommodate the publishing industry.

Once upon a time...

I wrote nonfiction articles for children's magazines, short stories, flash fiction, and stand novellas.

Later, I branched into YA/Middle School Historical fiction. Western Romance, RomCom, and Romantic Suspense.

All of these markets were "Traditional".

I am currently contracted with a Traditional publisher. My books are marketed as ebooks and in trade paperback to accommodate the reader market. 

I am comfortable with the traditional market platform. 

Why? Because an editor does a final read of my manuscript and will adjust my formatting if needed. 

(Yes, I understand HTML. But it's a left-brain function. If I am left-braining, I have zero access to the creative side of my brain.) 😕😢

We share promotion responsibility and watch market trends. (I like to write what I want, but that is not a key to success.) 

Most importantly, I have input for my book cover, but I do not have to design one. 

Indie Publishing: 

Have I ventured into the world of Indie Publishing? Yes, though not solo.

I have been involved in numerous anthologies. A common location, characters who interact with each other (to a limited extent). A defined genre: romance, mystery, etc. 

The promo is extensive. The timeline is short, and the word count is predetermined.

Limited meetings via text, short phone time, or a designated FB room to keep up-to-date work well for me. 

I'm an introvert. Intense interaction with others, even via weekly or daily Zoom meetings, is physically draining. Especially when I'm required to change what was already agreed upon. 😕😖

Plus side?

The marketing/promo is divided among the members.

Pre-release and early release are effective ways to garner readers and build momentum. 

The way to publish is a personal decision.

It is defined by an author's personality, writing style, willingness to promote, and love of accounting and tracking sales results.

Happy Writing and Reading,

XOXO

Connie Vines

Please hop to the next Blog...where another member has his/her story to share :)

 Connie Vines (you are here)

 Bob Rich

Diane Bator

Victoria Chatham

Skye Taylor

Villainous Characters and Redemption. Yes or No? By Connie Vines #RoundRobin 100, #Writing Tips, #Villians, #RR100

 Have any of your villainous characters reached redemption for their actions? How would you go about it if you were going to do this?

Since I also write YA and MG stories, I try not to make any character 'purely evil' and beyond redemption.

That's not to say that there are no evil or self-serving people without a conscious residing in our world. However, such a story would be too dark and depressing for me to write.

My YA and MG novels explain how/ why this person changed over time. I do not justify evil actions/mistakes. I provide an avenue for the reader to assess and make decisions appropriate for his/her age/ability level.

Romance/Romantic Suspense/Historical Novels

I usually have a villain or two in all of my storylines.

I've yet to send any of my villains on the road to redemption. 

Why?

I have little sympathy for my villains.

I don't like my villains.

I don't want my villains to be happy.

I really wish for my villains to suffer.

My points of reference:

• The Wizard of Oz  - the evil witch tried to kill Toto and Dorothy! 👠 (yes, I know the house killed her sister, but still..)

• Dracula (Bran Stoker's classic novel). This novel is a love story. Not your typical happily ever after, but a love story never-the-less. In this case, I could provide the original man (the count) redemption; however, the evil being he became would be beyond redemption here in the earthly realm. Profound sympathy on my part, perhaps.

As a reader, how do you feel about the 'bad guy' returning as a future novel hero?

Is a villain always a villain?

Or is a villain in the 'eye' of the reader?

Thank you for stopping by for our 100th Round Rhobin Blog Hop!

Please visit the talented authors of our group for their take on reforming the bad guys.

Happy Reading

Connie 

XOXO

Participating:

Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

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

Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/

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

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

Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2KA

Robin Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

** All of my novels/novellas are on sale (50% off) at the

 Smashwords site through Halloween!

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/vinesbwl

Characters, Reader's Intuition, and Deep-Dark Secrets By Connie Vines, #Round Robin99, #Writing Tips, RRBlog,

This Month's Round Robin Topic: What do you define in your writing about your characters and what do you leave to the reader’s intuition? Is there anything you never tell about a character?

This topic will require a bit of pondering...

👦👧👪📚

 When writing YA/MG fiction,/non-fiction I define my characters, my plotting, and characters' histories and backgrounds down to a "gnat's eyelash" so to speak. In historical fiction, there are many events, though historically accurate, a young reader is not equipped to process.  I address this in the note from the author, and the Q and A at the end of the novel.

🤠👢👩💝

As for romantic fiction, I still research career backgrounds, (my setting are towns/states I'm familiar with (residing or numerous vacations in the area). In the past, I interviewed my characters and kept detailed notes about family histories, etc.  I no longer do this before writing my stories. Why because halfway through the book, my characters defined a different pathway--which led to revisions. I detest plot revisions three-quarters through a 60,000-word novel 😭.

So, now I've become what is defined as a Panster: W-plot outline, scribbled notes about my characters, a title, and away I go.

㊙🔎😮📂

Secrets and mysterious background.

Don't you love secrets/hinted-at but not revealed mysterious background? I know I do.

Everyone has a chapter in his/her life they'd like to keep hidden. Or it may be a secret that would blow the socks off a person. Double O-7's life sounds romantic and exciting until you really think about what he does for a living.

A cowboy, rancher, or banker may see run-of-the-mill-boring until you discover a past event that defined him as a man of honor and courage; or an act of sacrifice and kindness that makes you weep.

Visit my Round Robin band of authors, they have great stories to share!

Happy Reading, everyone

Connie

XOXO

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

Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

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

Dr. Bob: https://bobrich18.wordpress.com/?p=10492

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

Robin Courtright https://www.rhobincourtright.com/

Stuck in Your Story? Favorite Ways to Get Things Moving Again. By Connie Vines #RR, #RoundRobinBlog, #Writing Tips,

Ah, the universal problem for a writer.  

Favorite ways to get your story moving again! This month's topic: 

It (writers' block) often appears when the story is running smoothly....that is, until either your hero or heroine refuses to go along with your plotline. This is when 'storyland' begins to get ugly!  😕

What steps do I take? (Whining, crying, or insisting your characters conform, is pointless.--I learned that the hard way).

☕ Coffee, a brief break in my garden, or listening to calming music will often work. 

An idea 💭will pop into my head--or one of the 'characters will tell me what will happen next. 

Other times, nothing seems to work.

This is known as the "Dark Moment" when All Is Lost!

#

Since I write multiple novels simultaneously, I'll pull out another story to edit, work on a blog post, or simply leave the story alone for a day or two. 💻

I may leave the story alone, but subconsciously, I'm still thinking about it and dreaming.

 

I can't say I always come up with a way to complete a story, but I do most of the time.  

Please visit my other author friends and find out how they get their stories moving again.

An author's favorite moment? 

Typing "The End." 

Happy Reading, everyone!

Connie

XOXO

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

Dr. Bob Rich --- https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2CG

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

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

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

Rhobin Courtright http://rhobincourtright.com

 

Are You Reading for Pleasure? Or Reading to Write? By Connie Vines #RoundRobin, #WritingLife, WhatAreYouReading?

Topic: How much reading do you do, both for pleasure and for a work in progress? 

This month's topic required a bit of pondering on my part.

While I'd like to happily confess to reading only for pleasure, this is no longer true.

I read one or two books a week in genre fiction (not the genre of my current WIP) for pleasure. In years past the number of novels, I would read solely for pleasure numbered one or two each day. 

Sigh. 

Publishing has changed; authors have (sort of) adapted.

More and more of an author's day is spent on promotion via social media, developing book trailers, book covers, contests, and cross-promotion projects.

Egad!  

Unfortunately, this leaves less and less time for writing ✍ and even less time for sleeping 😴

🕵Here's the pondering I mentioned at the start of this post:  most of my reading falls into these categories: 

• Research for my WIP.

• The craft of writing. 

• Promotion, promotion, and more promotion.

All of my novels and novellas have recipes included; recipes that I have adapted from family recipes or are my personal favorites. Therefore, I have no one to blame but myself for this foray into kitchen time!!  🥣🥄🍲🍪 

Happy Reading,

Connie

X O X O

Visit the talented authors participating in this month"s Round Robin Blog Hop!  

Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/ 

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

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

 Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/ 

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

 Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2BH   

 Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

What Messages Do Your Books Give Your Readers? By Connie Vines #RR , #WritingTips, #BWLPublishing, #Themes, #WesternRomance

 What messages do your books give your readers?

Thank you, Rhobin, for this month's topic. 

The theme of a story is important because a story's theme is part of the reason why the author wrote the story. The term theme can be defined as the underlying meaning of a story. It is the message the writer is trying to convey through the story. Often the theme of a story is a broad message about life.

1. There is always a character's growth through life experience and challenges.

2. One of my main characters usually has a character-building (unhappy) childhood.

3. Which, fortunately, has assisted him/her in becoming a tightly functional adult.

4. My message is to never give up hope; always strive for a better life and believe in yourself.

Example 1:   

Blurb:

With a dangerous reputation for taking chances and tempting fate, rugged cowboy Lynx Maddox had one goal in life--to win the coveted Silver Buckel rodeo championship. But when he sets eyes on lovely Rachel Scott, he becomes determined to capture her as well.

Rachel traveled the rodeo circuit with her famous rodeo rider dad until his fatal accident in the arena. Now, she wants nothing to do with that world--or the men who risk their loves for one brief moment for glory. But her attraction to Lynx becomes too powerful to deny...and his unexpected gentleness is too seductive to resist...

Example 2:

Blurb:

Trouble is something hard-edged rancher, Brede Kristensen, knows all about. A widower with a rambunctious young daughter, a ranch to run, and an ornery cook who has just runoff, Brede doesn't need another problem. Yet, during a violent storm, he finds an injured woman. The beautiful woman can't recall her name or past, but Brede vows to protect her from harm. What he hadn't bargained for was her laughter and gentleness finding a way into the lonely corners of his heart.

Beaten and left for dead, Amberlynn Maddox has no memory of her past. When a madman finds Amberlynn's hiding place, no one is safe from harm: not Brede, his young daughter—or Amberlynn herself! Accepting Brede's offer as temporary ranch cook, the woman, now called Kate, discovers the sexy rancher with his protective nature, and sizzling kisses has claimed her heart.

Example 3:

Also available in Spanish

Blurb:

Tanayia is alone in the world. Her village was destroyed and her people murdered by a group of revolutionaries who now hold her hostage. A daring escape on the edge of Cochise's stronghold saves Tanayia's life, but she discovers her ordeal is only beginning.

Forced to live in a government-run boarding school, Tanayia is stripped of her identity. The headmistress is bent on destroying Tay, but Jacob Five-Wounds stands in her way. Jacob urges Tay to run away with him—but diphtheria strikes the school. Now, Tanayia must choose, a choice she knows may cost her both Jacob and his love.

For a fast and fun read:

An Anthology of Romance

"Marrying off Murphy" – (Light-hearted Romance). Like all Cajun fairy tales, it began harmlessly enough. A match-making columnist promises to turn a stuffy professor into a charming prince. So, why does this confirmed bachelorette suddenly wish she was dressed for the Ball?

"Love Potion #9" – (Contemporary Romance). Watch what happens when you mix a traditional Creole woman with a fun-loving Cajun man and throw in a Voodoo Love Potion—stand back! The Louisiana Bayou ain't never gonna be the same!

 

"A Slice of Scandal" – (Mystery/Suspense). A producer finds herself embroiled in a mystery as hot as her Bayou Cooking Show.   When an undercover cop-turned chef shows up and dishes up more heat than a bottle of Louisiana hot peppers. Can she prove her innocence before the real killer finds her? Or, will she become the main course in a murder trial?

Novella:

Alive, Steampunk novelist Meredith Misso worked hard at living the perfect SoCal celeb life. Now that she is a Zombie, it's all about the make-up, non-vegan lifestyle, and her soon-to-be ex, who somehow managed to Velcro himself back into her life. 

Buy Link (click on book cover)

Visit each of the Round Robin writers, see what ideas they are hatching!!

Connie

XOXX                                        

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

Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2yB

Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/

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

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

Flawed Characters in Your Story--What's Their Backstory? By Connie Vines #RR#93, #BWLAuthor, #WesternHero, #CowboyRomance, #HappilyEverAFter

This month's Round Robin Topic: Describe a flawed character you might use in a story. What part will they play in the story, and what will happen to them? How did they become so flawed?

Thank you, Rhobin, for this month's topic.

I'd like to begin my post by stating that everyone is flawed--including an author's story characters.  

The flaw may be physical, or a character may have a 'fatal flaw': a temper, stubbornness, act-with-out-thinking, or lack of self-esteem-all of which can lead to your story character's doom.

The flaw is part of the character arc, the path to self-growth. And, in a romantic novel, the way the main characters, and often the secondary characters, close the story with a HEA (happily ever after).

Yet the path is always bumpy and uncertain for the Hero and Heroine. It is often a secondary character or a 'villain' who usually has the most interesting/unexpected backstory. 

I take full advantage of secondary characters and villains who reveal, little by little, unexpected details of their past. 

This is especially so in my YA novel, Tanayia--Whisper Upon the Water.

Of course, that is all I can say because I never print 'spoilers' for my novels; or any books I review.

What Is an Example of a Character Flaw?

This is an extreme character flaw but also an excellent example.

Though you may have not read the novel, most are familiar with the movie or the storyline of the Thomas Harris novel The Silence of the Lambs (and its subsequent film adaptation by director Jonathan Demme). Hannibal Lecter has a personality disorder: A cannibal and a sadomasochist. Lecter's character flaws, however, are somewhat offset by his brilliant mind, which he uses to help the main character, Clarice Starling, apprehend a serial killer tormenting Appalachia. 

Lecter is an example of how in fiction, even characters with the most severe personality flaws can embody a degree of three-dimensionality.

The opening to my novel, Brede, Rodeo Romance, Book 2:

Thunder rumbled across the remote New Mexico sky as unforgiving wind shoved low gray clouds against a craggy mountaintop. Brede Kristensen tugged the brim of his Stetson lower on his forehead. The threat of a storm didn't faze him;  nothing fazed him anymore. The worst had already happened.

(the elements can also take on a life of their own--evolving and changing, influencing and affecting the characters in your story).

Thank you for stopping by,

Visit the talented authors participating in this month's Round Robin Blog Hop.

Connie 

XOXO

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

Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2yB

Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/

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

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/ 

Writing Contemporary Novels--How Do You Deal with COVID or the Pandemic? By Connie Vines #RoundRobin, #WritingTips, #COVID, #WritingFiction

Thank you, Rhobin, for allowing me to select this month's Round Robin Topic:

When writing contemporary fiction, are you including the topic of COVID or the Pandemic? If so, in what manner: as a plotline, part of the day-to-day reality of your characters? Or, is the topic excluded? If so, why? 

While researching this topic, I discovered there is a newly coined (for lack of a better label) sub-genre: "Pandemic (and Post Pandemic) Fiction. 

This came as no surprise to me in the 'historical sense.' In my Native American historical novel, a subplot was the diphtheria epidemic in the 1880s. Tanayia--Whisper upon the Water.

While the"Pandemic/Post Pandemic Fiction POV perspectives vary from historical novels to science fiction. Responses are just as varied: scientific ingenuity, unreasoning paranoia, defeated acceptance, heroic sacrifice, or sheer survival at any cost. And writers have long employed plagues and epidemics (historical and imagined) as the background or subject of their fiction.  

Publisher's Weekly has a list (published in 2020) of 13 Essential Pandemic Novels.

None of which I found exceptionally light or escape-from-reality-fiction to read when one could be worried about a friend or loved one.

To quote Elle Magazine: Romance Novels Are The Antidote To Pandemic Life.

I agree.

Since I write mostly Romance and YA novels, I'm more inclined to mention a 'shelter-at-home event' or have a main character remove/choose a mask.  

I will touch on politics in historical novels. (I include both sides of a topic because I did not live within the norms of that time), 

However, I do not include politics in Contemporary Romance novels. Why? Because #1 politics are not romantic, the storyline's focus is #2 Romance with a HEA (happily ever after) conclusion. 

Thanks for stopping by today,

Connie

XOXO

Visit the talented writers in today's Round Robin Blog Hop to read more!

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

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

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/

Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

Dr. Bob Rich  https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2wY 

Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/

Robin http://rhobincourtright.com

Helem Fairfax  https://helenafairfax.com/blog/

Interview with Author J. Q. Rose By Connie Vines #J.Q.Rose, #BWLAuthor, #Memoir, #Author Interview, #Contest

 

J. Q. Rose 

Today's featured guest is J. Q Rose.

Thank you for stopping by today. Please tell our readers about your current release.😃

Arranging a Dream: A Memoir 

J.Q.: I am celebrating the first birthday of my book, released January 1, 2020! The story is about the first year we (my husband and I) were in the flower business in Michigan, 1975-1976. 

Coincidentally, the book was released 45 years to the day my husband Ted and I became business owners. 

We moved, with our one-year-old baby girl, all of our earthly belongings to Michigan to make our dream of owning a greenhouse operation come true. We knew nothing about the flower business, designing flowers, commercial greenhouse operations, and had no family or friends in the area. Through tears and laughter, we cultivated a loving marriage, juggled parenting, and dug deep to root a thriving floral and greenhouse business.

Connie: What comes first, J.Q?  the plot or the characters? 

J.Q: This question made me examine all my fiction books and stories. I believe I have the character first because I know the person who is the main character, always a strong woman. In Dangerous Sanctuary, I interviewed a female pastor and based the story on her. In Deadly Undertaking, I based the character on my own experience as an undertaker’s daughter. In Terror on Sunshine Boulevard, the main character was a conglomeration of people I met in our senior community in Florida, plus some of my traits thrown in. So, for me, knowing the character determines the location, time, and plot, which revolves around the main character.

Connie: What was the inspiration for Arranging a Dream: A Memoir? 

JQ: The real inspiration for the story was planted in the 80s when a writer in my writer's group brought in a journal penned by her great, great, great grandfather, who was a minister in England in the late 1800s. She read his entries in the journal, taking us back to his times. I was so moved by his writing, I decided it was necessary to record our lives and times for future generations. 

I began teaching workshops on writing life stories in 2000 to encourage folks to record their lives. I wrote right along with the participants, so I had many stories about my life—vignettes over the years. I finally took the time to sit down and write about this first year we were in business.

 A memoir is just a slice of life, not the entire story from birth to the present. 

Connie:  All novelists conduct extensive research, even when writing fiction. So, please tell us about your literary pilgrimages.

JQ: We made trips back to Atlanta, Illinois, my hometown, to help me remember locations and stir up memories. Atlanta is home to me, even if I have lived in a few different places. It will always feel like home because memories of my family, my childhood experiences will remain in my heart forever.

Connie: How long did it take you to complete this novel? 

JQ: I thought about it for a long time, but I began writing in 2006. I wrote off and on during those years but really got serious in 2018. I set aside an appointment with myself to write every day after lunch.  

The book was scheduled to be released in June 2020 by BWL Publishing. Still, when Covid hit in March 2020, my publisher, Jude Pittman, realized the effect the stress had upon authors trying to meet a deadline while overcoming the pressures of dealing with the pandemic. She asked if anyone needed more time to finish their books. I admitted I needed the time because I couldn’t focus on finishing up the manuscript. 

Thus, the release date was moved to January 2021. I was relieved to have the extra time to get myself together, not just for writing, but for living through the upsetting and mind-blowing time when the first waves of the pandemic swept through. 

Connie:: We can all certainly relate to those days. 

Do you have a favorite paragraph/line of dialogue in this novel? 

JQ:  Arranging a Dream is a story about my husband, Ted, and me when we purchased a flower shop and greenhouse operation in 1975 in Michigan. We were at odds with the previous owner, Hattie, because we wanted to make changes. The following lines in the book always make me want to stand up and cheer for us!

***

Chapter 19, Sabotaging Easter, p. 94

As Hattie strolled through the showroom, she spotted a terrarium Ted had planted in a glass aquarium. Instead of fish, the container was partially filled with soil and plants. He added little figurines of woodland animals, blue rocks for a stream, rocks, and more natural pieces to make a cute scene.

Hattie studied the beautiful creation then looked at the price tag. “Good luck selling that!” she snorted. The price was $28.00, a high-ticket item in 1976.

We sold it that afternoon.

NOTE: $28.00 in 2021 dollars is equal to $144.66!!!

Connie::  Are you a morning person or a night owl? ⏰

J.Q:  I’m not sure. What time is the cut-off for being a morning person or night owl? I am usually up about 6:30 am. I have read not to immediately click on the Internet first thing in the morning, but rather, read awhile to help your brain focus. This practice is supposed to help you not be so distracted or feel scattered by the Internet once you get on. 

I’m ready for bed at about 10:30 pm, but I usually read for 20-30 minutes (or more if it’s a great story) before turning off my Kindle and calling it a night. So, I don’t know if I’m an early morning rooster or a night owl. 

What do you think?

Connie: I think you are an early bird 🐦 Which I am not 🦉  LOL!

Connie: What are your hobbies? 

JQ: I love reading, playing board games and cards, taking photos, watching Netflix, and traveling. 

Do any of your characters share your hobbies/interests? 

They don’t share my hobbies so much, but some traits like not being confident in the kitchen and hating housekeeping.

Connie: This is a question dear to my heart: Do you have any pets? 

J.Q.: We don’t have pets now, but I had a dog when I was a girl, and we had several cats and a precious dog when the kids were growing up. 

My daughter is the bookkeeper at an animal shelter, so the opportunity to get a pet is always there. However, we travel too much to have a pet. 

Connie: How about an unusual pet? 

J.Q: Do an alligator, turtles, and a snake qualify? My grandson has a bearded dragon. Not fond of that creature though !!

Connie:: J.Q. thank you for visiting "Dishn' It Out Blog" today. 

I've enjoyed our visit, and I'm confident our readers welcomed a look into your fascinating life! 

Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?  

JQ: It was so much fun starting off the birthday celebration at the Dishn’  It Out Blog with you!

Let’s make it a party by gift-giving!  I am gifting an eCopy of Arranging a Dream: A Memoir to a lucky commenter. 

Connie::  J.Q., what a great idea!

We will give our readers until January 11, 2022, at Midnight (PST). 

(the winning commenter will be notified.) J.Q. Rose is so excited! 

As am I.  I always look forward to reading a J. Q. Rose book!

I've asked J.Q. Rose to share links to her website, buy links, and more!

 

Remember to post a comment to win a Free eCopy!  

Current Release: Arranging a Dream: A Memoir by J.Q. Rose

Buy Links: Click here to download from your favorite bookseller  https://books2read.com/Arranging-A-Dream

Paperback available at amazon.com-https://www.amazon.com/Arranging-Dream-J-Q-Rose/dp/0228615542/

Connect online with JQ Rose

J.Q. Rose blog http://www.jqrose.com/

Facebook http://facebook.com/jqroseauthor

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/jqrose

J. Q. Rose Amazon Author Page http://tinyurl.com/aeuv4m4

Thanks for stopping by, everyone!

Connie

XOXO

 

Translating Family Experiences into Writing Scenes By Connie Vines #RR103, #WritingTips,

How do your family experiences translate into writing scenes? 

Oh, my...this type of reveal could create a very spirited discussion during a holiday gathering.  One must tip-toe around this subject with great care!

That said... unfortunately for our friends, family members, co-workers, and even strangers on the street, each may have a glorious or, not so glorious reincarnation in a future novel, short story, or even book trailer.

Strangers would most likely be flattered. Co-workers might be tempted to plot revenge. 

Family members?  

I never wish to hurt anyone's feelings or place them in an unfavorable light...

People are inspiring, unpredictable, scatter-brained, loving, and very funny.  Since we live within a family unit (however, you define the membership) and grow up together, you know family members best,  Therefore, they are ripe for the picking.  

Care must be taken.  The screenwriter of "A Christmas Story" may have had a relative who created a nightmare gift  ( custom bunny suit)--but I doubt it.  More likely it was a friend's family member who lived in a different state or even a different country who was the inspiration. 

While a disaster revolving around a kitchen mishap is universal and an acceptable scene to include in a novel.

Youtube link to the kitchen scene:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cFHAJ5asMk

True Events?  

Am I guilty of including scenes created from personal experiences? Yes.

Am I guilty of harvesting unsuspecting family members or friends and inserting them into my story? Yes.

Am I going to give you more details? 

No. As you can see, Santa is still undecided about my Official Christmas status!

I will confess to relying on personal experience, heavily.  In a YA story, the heroine was pinned between the front door and the screen door, her face squished into the dirty mesh as she tries to call for assistance.

At Senior Prom (unknowingly) both you and your best friend are wearing the same gown and still sit next to each other at the table.

No one advised you the bride's colors were apricot and white (I was dating the brides' cousin). I was wearing an apricot dress.  It wasn't until I was ushered into a photo that I realized what was happening.

I could go on and on...

Well, just one more example: I was asked out on a double date.  The cowboy I knew wanted to take me dancing at a Honky Tonk (for locals in our small town). When he arrived there was another cowboy in the car (unknown to me at the time: his friend had a crush on me).  I assumed we were meeting his friend's date inside. 

I didn't realize my 'dates' were sneaking me in through an open window to avoid a cover charge.  How could I not know it was a window?  My mother always had me leave my glasses at home when I dated.  

What?

I know! 

Fortunately, the evening went well, both of the guys were great dancers and the perfect gentlemen.

And Connie lived happily ever after ...because she refused to leave her glasses at home ever again. 

.

I hope you enjoyed my post,

Connie

All of my novels are 50% off via Smashwords through Christmas!

Please visit all the members of this month's Blog Hop!

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Dr. Bob Rich  https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2ue

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

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

Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/

Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/

Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com

Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com