IWSG
The Insecure Writer's Support Group posts the first Wednesday of every month. It is an opportunity to air our concerns, insecurities, triumphs, and failures as a writer. It has been a wonderful support group for me so far as a new member. You can find other member's posts here.
Tagged: My Writing Process
YA author, Sheri Larsen tagged me in this blog tour where I'm to share my method for generating ideas, mapping out those ideas, and eventually writing those ideas down.
Represented by Paula Munier of Talcott Notch Literary, Sheri's vineyard-set YA novel is currently on submission to publishers and she's working on a middle grade novel titled Motley Education:The Urd Saga. To find out more about Sheri, you can visit her blog here.
My Writing Process:
What am I working on now?
Where to begin...I am all over the place right now. I'm working on getting my first novel, a contemporary romance novel titled Letting Go, published. I'm also in the process of revising my second contemporary romance novel tentatively titled, Jaunt in Jasper. In addition, I have a YA novel set partly in South Africa that I'm finishing/revising/editing, and another YA novel I am rewriting with the hopes of making it into a trilogy. I decided to go a completely different direction with this novel and while I am excited about doing something totally different, it will be a bit of a challenge for me, but a welcome one at the same time.
How does my book differ from others within its genre?
I'll talk mostly about my completed manuscript, Letting Go. It is a sweet romance with inspirational undertones, elements of suspense, bits of humor, tear-jerker moments, and themes of hope and forgiveness. It is a story of a young mother struggling to raise her four small children after the death of her husband. Hope comes in the form of a handsome stranger who takes a keen interest in her and her children. As he weaves his way into her heart and life, this young mother dreams about a new future filled with love and possibilities. Problem is, the man she's fallen for harbors a past and a shameful secret that will tear them apart.
Why do I write what I do?
I think I'm drawn to writing romance because I love being in love. I love the feeling, the thoughts, the emotions, and I LOVE to hear others romantic stories. There's nothing better than the onset of a sweet, tender romance or the battle for an unattainable love. As the mother of five boys, I'm surrounded by all things boy related: swords (plastic, of course), frogs, Matchbox cars, trucks, dirt, and messes. In this world of boys, I'm drawn to the feminine part of me that wants to read and write about sweet romance. I think that's why I lean towards contemporary romance or YA with romantic elements. There will probably ALWAYS be some sort of romance somewhere in my books. Gotta have it! :)
How does my writing process work?
An idea forms in my mind, sometimes in the most random places. I can be inspired by a movie, a song, a conversation, a dream. Then I see scenes in my mind like a movie reel. When I see the scenes, I run to my computer and begin typing. I don't always go in order while writing the book. If a scene or dialogue pops in my brain and it's nowhere near where I left off in my writing, I'll just write it and save it until I get to that part of the book. I don't usually outline. I love that sometimes I start writing a book and think it will go in one direction and the next thing I know, it is heading down a completely different path. I let the ideas flow and see where it takes me. Sometimes it evolves and takes on a life of its own and I'm just the tool to get it on paper.
With this latest YA novel I'm working on, it's pretty intense so I'm trying to do an outline. The problem is I have two different versions of the same book going on, one on paper and the other in my brain. Still trying to figure out how to mesh the two...
What's your writing process like?
Continue following the Process of Writing Tour and see how others hammer out their stories.
NEXT UP ON TOUR:
Stephanie Faris, Liz Blocker, Melanie Crouse
Tagged: My Writing Process
YA author, Sheri Larsen tagged me in this blog tour where I'm to share my method for generating ideas, mapping out those ideas, and eventually writing those ideas down.
Represented by Paula Munier of Talcott Notch Literary, Sheri's vineyard-set YA novel is currently on submission to publishers and she's working on a middle grade novel titled Motley Education:The Urd Saga. To find out more about Sheri, you can visit her blog here.
My Writing Process:
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What am I working on now?
Where to begin...I am all over the place right now. I'm working on getting my first novel, a contemporary romance novel titled Letting Go, published. I'm also in the process of revising my second contemporary romance novel tentatively titled, Jaunt in Jasper. In addition, I have a YA novel set partly in South Africa that I'm finishing/revising/editing, and another YA novel I am rewriting with the hopes of making it into a trilogy. I decided to go a completely different direction with this novel and while I am excited about doing something totally different, it will be a bit of a challenge for me, but a welcome one at the same time.
How does my book differ from others within its genre?
I'll talk mostly about my completed manuscript, Letting Go. It is a sweet romance with inspirational undertones, elements of suspense, bits of humor, tear-jerker moments, and themes of hope and forgiveness. It is a story of a young mother struggling to raise her four small children after the death of her husband. Hope comes in the form of a handsome stranger who takes a keen interest in her and her children. As he weaves his way into her heart and life, this young mother dreams about a new future filled with love and possibilities. Problem is, the man she's fallen for harbors a past and a shameful secret that will tear them apart.
Why do I write what I do?
I think I'm drawn to writing romance because I love being in love. I love the feeling, the thoughts, the emotions, and I LOVE to hear others romantic stories. There's nothing better than the onset of a sweet, tender romance or the battle for an unattainable love. As the mother of five boys, I'm surrounded by all things boy related: swords (plastic, of course), frogs, Matchbox cars, trucks, dirt, and messes. In this world of boys, I'm drawn to the feminine part of me that wants to read and write about sweet romance. I think that's why I lean towards contemporary romance or YA with romantic elements. There will probably ALWAYS be some sort of romance somewhere in my books. Gotta have it! :)
How does my writing process work?
An idea forms in my mind, sometimes in the most random places. I can be inspired by a movie, a song, a conversation, a dream. Then I see scenes in my mind like a movie reel. When I see the scenes, I run to my computer and begin typing. I don't always go in order while writing the book. If a scene or dialogue pops in my brain and it's nowhere near where I left off in my writing, I'll just write it and save it until I get to that part of the book. I don't usually outline. I love that sometimes I start writing a book and think it will go in one direction and the next thing I know, it is heading down a completely different path. I let the ideas flow and see where it takes me. Sometimes it evolves and takes on a life of its own and I'm just the tool to get it on paper.
With this latest YA novel I'm working on, it's pretty intense so I'm trying to do an outline. The problem is I have two different versions of the same book going on, one on paper and the other in my brain. Still trying to figure out how to mesh the two...
What's your writing process like?
Continue following the Process of Writing Tour and see how others hammer out their stories.
NEXT UP ON TOUR:
Stephanie Faris, Liz Blocker, Melanie Crouse
Love is the BEST topic in the world to write about it. Everyone feels it and gives it in one form or another! :D
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!! :)
DeleteI think it's so great that you know what you like to write and are able to incorporate it into so many other genres. Good luck with all of your projects! :)
ReplyDeleteMadeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
Thank you, Madeline! Let's hope I can get them all completed in a timely manner! :)
DeleteMy writing process is similar! I'll have to write something up...I did a guest blog on my writing process for someone that's posting next week, so I'll have to find something fresh to say for this!
ReplyDeleteYou sound so busy, and I have to say I don't envy the five boys in the same house! You are a brave woman, and strong too! I always want some kind of love story/romance in my novels, and in the novels I read. Otherwise it's too dry a read. I've started using outlines, but only a certain kind as I find it helps keep me on task but I don't let it dictate to me. I change it whenever my protagonists are telling me a change is needed! Good luck and happy blogging! #IWSG
ReplyDeleteHow to mesh the two - that made me chuckle.
ReplyDeleteSo there's no swords, frogs, or Matchbox cars in your manuscript?
I thought I posted something here, but it vanished, so let me give you the short version: Thank you for tagging me! I'm excited to do this!
ReplyDeleteFascinating...
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize you had so many novels going at once. Good for you!
ReplyDelete"Then I see scenes in my mind like a movie reel." Those times the scenes come alive are the best! It's like your own movie without having to pay box office prices for a ticket. Not to mention the concessions are probably cheaper too.
ReplyDeleteNow this is a great idea! Why didn't I combine the two also? I was tagged in My Writing Process a couple weeks back as well . . . silly me lol
ReplyDeleteAlso: Wow! You have a lot going on right now . . . good luck! (and have fun!) :D
S.K.Anthony: IWSG
I also love writing sweet romance, which is why I primarily write YA. I also have sons, so I know what you mean about wanting to write girly stuff. :)
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks for the tag!! It's always fun to learn about other writers' processes :) it might take me till next week, but I promise I'll post on this, too!
ReplyDeleteCan never go wrong with love and romance.
ReplyDeleteLove of romance knuckle bumps Kristin! I think finding the right person can make all the difference in the world. Make a bad match and it could lead to all sorts of misery.
ReplyDeleteMy challenge post is up!
ReplyDeletehttp://stephie5741.blogspot.com/2014/05/tagged-my-writing-process.html
It's so important to love what you write about! I'm glad you do.
ReplyDeleteJust reading this was somehow inspirational Kristin!! Seems like you have loads on your mind...All the very best!
ReplyDeleteI love sweet romances. Sounds like you write my kind of books! Pleasure to be following you now, Kristin!
ReplyDeleteWow, you have a lot of projects on your plate right now. Good luck with all of them! I never used to outline, either, but then I fell in love with that process and can never imagine pantsing it anymore, haha. Hope the outline you need to do for your YA doesn't give you too much trouble!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your writing process. It was inspirational!
ReplyDeleteI think one has to write what one enjoys or feels close to then one has more passion for it. You are one busy lady and with 5 boys one needs some romance. I think an idea is #1 always and then one goes from there. I am not a writer by trade but I like the Insecure Writer's Support Group because I like reading what everyone is dealing with or they may just have fun with a blurb like me. I do my little write with what comes into my head. Thankfully there are some things that come into my head and stay there:)
ReplyDelete