Once again, I'm taking my inspiration from this post from On Becoming a Novelist by John Gardner. When I first read this book many years ago, I underlines passages that spoke of things I knew I must hone to become a writer. There are many passages.
Novels must have characters. Learning how to make characters come to life is vital. One of these is to become a people watcher. That's something I did as a child. I just enjoyed watching people and even interacting with strangers. Observine people when I was a nurse gave me the chance to see people at their best and their worst, at times when life seemed too much. Watching different people react to a similar situation showed me ways people expressed emotions. This later flowed into my writing. Not just a characters physical presence is important. I've been accused of not describing my characters bodies with enough detail. What ahs always mattered to me is their reactions and actions to a situation.
So to become a novelist, a love of language is important but so are the people in the story. Watch people and put what you see in the bank for a later use. You might even be accused of spying on these people. I have been, even when I was a child.
Meander 1 Reading - After reading a historical suspense that took place after the Second World war. A great read. Then I began the Pern series. Who doesn't love dragons. I have read these books at least three times since I enjoy them so much. While I was reading I managed to lose one of the books and can't seem to locate it. Hopefully when I finish reading them all, the book will pop up. These books inspired me for the times when I've had dragons in my story. One is the Amber Dragon where the heroine is turned into a fat yellow dragon. The others are in my Island of Fyre series. These dragons can talk to their riders as in Anne McCaffrey's stories. The Amber Dragon can't speak and letting the hero know who she is might held her escape the enchantment. I always find when someone's books inspire me, often just a little scene triggers my imagination.
Meander 2 - Social Distancing - We are supposed to stay in and not go out unless it's absolutely necessary. I will go out tomorrow to take care of my taxes for the year. Will be a great relief. What I found is interesting. In not being around others, you don't talk. Three times, my voice has gotten hoarse on lengthy phone calls. This is rather distressing but it you don't use an instrument often, you lose the ability. Will we all become speechless when this is over.
Meander 3 - Writing - Am past the halfway point in the Plot draft of Tangled Dreams and am nearly caught up on the typing. The next draft will go rather rapidly since it's looking at the setting and characters. The following one will take time and the last not so much. Am aiming to have it done by the June deadline'
Amara faces trouble and she uses a phone number given to her by a friend who has vanished. When she is offered the chance to be sent to an ancient Egypt, she accepts even though she must perform a task and risk losing her life. But here, she faces the same fate. She arrives and there is much she must learn before she can rescue a young man held by the priests of Aken Re.
Namose was taken prisoner by Hebu, beloved of Aken Re, and forced to translate ancient scrolls giving Hebu some of the powers given to the priests of Toth by the Three of the Two Lands, Toth, Bast and Horu. After his rescue, further troubles arise. He and Amara must join their powers to save their land and friends from the evil Hebu.
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
In her contemporary life, Amaa is an orphan, raised grudgingly by her uncle and threatened with rape by two men. When given a chance by two women skilled in magic to travel back in time to ancient Egypt, she accepts. Namose wants to become a priest of the god Toth but is captured and forced to follow the dictates of an alien god and to translate scrolls of that god. "Toth's Priest" tells of Amara's and Namose's adventures and growing love for each other. This book was obviously well-researched and is full of action. For those reasons, I gave it a 5 star rating. However, the sentences didn't show much variation and often read monotonously. I would have liked to see a bit more narrative interspersed with the dialogue. Neverlheless, this is a great adventure and worthwhile read.
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
A teen age girl in desperate circumstances flees into an alternate past, hoping to find a better life. Here she steps in another, just as dangerous, world, one of magicians, rival gods and spell-casting. This is the final book in a YA series set in an alternate past—Ancient Egypt. There is plenty of action, brave young characters, twists and turns, all set in well-researched ancient setting. Egypt, all by itself, is sufficiently interesting for many readers, but here the “alternate” adds a bit more spice. The names of real history players and gods are here, slightly changed.
Stuart McGee needs the bounty from capturing the two men he’s trailing.
That reward will allow him to buy the ranch of his dreams. When he encounters
the men, he learns they’ve killed a young couple. The big surprise is there’s a
baby in their cabin. What is Stuart supposed to do with a baby girl?
Georgina Potter has to get away from home. Her family treats her as a
screw-up. She is determined to prove them wrong. Starting over as a mail-order
bride might not be the best way but it’s the only way she can get away from her
family. When she arrives she learns her groom has married someone else. What is
she going to do with no money, no groom, and nowhere to stay?
When Georgina and Stuart marry, neither is convinced it’s the right
choice. Baby Adeline captures the affection of both. Can working together as
parents ignite romance for Georgina and Stuart? When trouble comes, will their
fledgling relationship disintegrate or become stronger?
Pauline Brubaker arrives in
Creede, Colorado from Denver to help care for her aunt while the aunt’s broken
leg heals. Her aunt and uncle are special favorites of Pauline’s. They’ve
recently retired to Creede due to her uncle’s heart problems. Pauline’s
hesitant to give in to her attraction to Creighton because she will only be in
Creede the few weeks her aunt needs her help. Her parents and her life are in
Denver.
Creighton Reed makes amazing
pieces of furniture. They sell as fast as he can create them. Creighton meets
Pauline when her aunt and the sponsor of the Matchmaker Balls conspire to have
them attend a dance together. He is immediately attracted to Pauline but she
gives mixed signals. Later a man who claims to be her fiancé warns Creighton
away from her. Creighton tells the man he’ll believe Pauline’s engaged when she
tells him.
Two fire bombs destroy
Creighton’s workshop and his living quarters in the back, and he’s almost
trapped inside. Fortunately, he has purchased a house in order to marry Pauline
and had moved some of his things there before the fire. Who sent firebombs into
his workshop?The arsonist must be
caught before Pauline, her family, and Creighton are safe.
Danger forces them to focus on
what is at stake . . .
Maeve Kelly came to America for a
better life but found only signs that said No
Irish Need Apply. When the cousin with whom she is staying leaves Boston,
Maeve is left desperate. Her job at the laundry doesn’t pay enough for her to
survive alone. Her friend suggests a way out, Maeve resists but finally
accepts. What else can she do?
Sheriff Luke Sullivan is proud of
his accomplishments. Known for his strong principles, he is admired and
well-respected in the community. When he learns his mother and aunt have
schemed to get him a proxy bride he’s furious. If he’d wanted a wife he would
have found one. He respects and loves his mother and finally agrees to the
marriage. Before he and his bride can adjust to one another, Luke is caught in
the middle of an explosive situation between striking miners and the
railroad.
Threats against Luke by each side have him fearing for the safety of
his wife, mother, and aunt. He must resolve the strike to protect his family
and many others. Will he succeed in time to save lives?
1.What were you before you became an author? Did this influence your
choices as a writer?
I worked as a secretary/bookkeeper, a
newspaper columnist and reporter, an assistant to the emeritus
professor/managing editor of a psychology journal at Texas Christian
University, and as a bookkeeper for the tax assessor-collector of a small
county west of DFW. My favorite job was as wife and mother to two daughters.
None of those influenced my choice as a writer but each contributed to
gathering knowledge about different types of people. I love people watching in
general but working with various personalities is fuel for my stories.
2.Are you genre specific or general? I don’t mean major genres but
subdivisions or romance, mystery or paranormal.
I write western—historical, contemporary,
and time travel romances, and an occasional mystery. Most of my titles are
historical western romances. I especially love the time period between the
Civil War and the turn of the twentieth century. I simply love writing, though,
and write whatever I wish at the moment. Except, lately I’ve been engaged in
writing in multi-author projects (MAP) and I find that intriguing. The author
who conceives the premise invites other authors to join her MAP. The stories
are stand-alone but share a common premise and usually a common locale.
Although I write romances, they include a touch of mystery and adventure.
3.What is your latest release?
STUART, Bachelors and Babies book 10.
This was a fun book to write and contains one of my favorite heroines. I’m
excited about the reception it has received and the great reviews.
4.What are you working on now?
POLKA WITH PAULINE, The Matchmaker’s Ball
Book 8, set in Creede, Colorado, is already up for preorder and will be
released March 28.
5.Did your reading choices influence your choice of a writing
career?
I don’t think so, although I love Louis
L’Amour books. Actually, I loved writing before I found western historical
romances. When I read the first one, I was hooked forever! I have diverse reading
interests which include about everything except horror or erotica or
space sci-fi. My favorite books are still western historical romances. I can’t
get enough of them.
The soft call pulled her from a chaotic dream into the
bright light of the day. “Yes.”
“Come to the pool. There is much you need to know and
little time.”
Merin left her blanket and knelt beside the pool. She
looked up and gasped. A tall woman stood on the other side of the water. She
held a silver crook and wore a warrior’s kilt. Her face shifted from that of a
beautiful woman to the likeness of a sacred cat.
“Goddess.” Merin felt as though this woman radiated the
warmth of the sun.
“Listen to what I say. You must remember. The
pharaoh-to-be has reached the delta. Something went wrong at the Horu temple.
The priests of Aken Re infiltrated. You must find the Chosen of Horu and assist
him in the quest given to him. He was sold to the nomarch of Mempho as a
seven-year slave.”
“How will I recognize him?”
“Gaze into the water.”
The surface shimmered and an image formed. A man with a
mane of dark brown hair and deep amber eyes appeared. Merin leaned forward. Handsome.
His muscular body intrigued her. Her gaze swept from his head to his feet. His
mouth curved into a smile that sent heat flowing to her core. She stared
intently trying to memorize his features. One of her fingers touched his lips.
The image shattered into ring-like waves.
Merin’s attention returned to the goddess. “Bast,
protector of the people and the lands, once I find him has my quest ended.” As
she waited for an answer she wondered what the surge of heat on seeing the Chosen had meant.
The goddess stood on the water and lifted Merin’s chin.
“Your quest will end and his will begin. You must travel together and help him
for he is a stranger to the Two Lands.”
“What is his quest?”
“To find the ancient jewelry of the first queen. Without
the crown, the necklace and the armbands you cannot name him as the ruler of
the land.”
“Then we must leave the delta to seek the pieces. The
jewelry was at the temple belonging to Toth across the river from Tebes. Does
it remain on the altar?”
“This is for you to discover. I was not present when the
last of the foreign priests fled. You must also remember and obey the
restrictions set by Horu on those who are given a quest. Should you step beyond
those rules you will fail and the Two Lands will become a battlefield again and
the outcome will go against those who honor the Three.”
Merin closed her eyes. She must find the man who stirred
needs she didn’t understand. Would obedience be hard? Remembering how he had
attracted her she believed keeping from him was a test.
When her eyelids fluttered open the goddess had vanished.
Merin curled her arms around her knees. Though she tried she couldn’t remember
the exact words from the scroll Namose had used to teach her to read. Knowing
was necessary. Who could tell her?
With a sigh Merin returned to the blanket. Until the sun
moved westward she must sleep. This time she prayed the chaotic images of the
temple, the priest and Bast Ka would fail to invade her dreams.
Join the authors at #MFRWHooks herehttp://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some great excerpts. Mine
is from the Cancer Capricorn Connection
Blurb:
She’s a Cancer and he’s a Capricorn. She has a secret she
wants to keep but moments after they meet again, he realizes that her daughter
is his, and he wants to be part of their life.
Memories of the past and her hurt brings Cate’s old anger
back to the surface but Rick realizes what a fool he was in his single-minded
desire to follow his dream. He now has the medical degree he desired enough to set
his love for Cate aside. His guilt and her anger clash as they try to find ways
to show their daughter how much they love her.
Reviewed in the United States
on December 30, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
Genre – Contemporary
Romance
First Line: Cate Rollins stood in the sun-filled kitchen of the house she’d
rented and opened another box.
Review:
Cate Rollins lost Rick Somers when he drove to the west coast after their high
school graduation. She thought he loved her, but he never returned…until 9
years later.
“Opposites” is a great descriptive word for Cate and Rick’s personalities. Ms.
Lane Walters’ develops an excellent story-line between the two with even a few
surprises. There’s more to Cate’s life than she knows and more to Rick’s than
he knows – and when the two reconnect a firestorm shakes them both awake and
rekindles the smolder. The story sends the reader into a battle of wills and
will nots full of emotions from the past and the present, along with recreating
tensions (sensual and anger issues).
If you’re looking for a fast-paced, quick read, this is an entertaining story
with a happy ending, and I look forward to reading another of this series.
Cate returns to Eastlake with her young
daughter, Maddie. She is there to take up the position as head of their new
rehab centre. Newly arrived, and about to settle in her home, who should move
in opposite but Rick, Maddie’s
father, the man
who left her without learning that she was pregnant, to pursue his personal
dreams of becoming
a top surgeon. Once he
realises Maddie is his daughter he wants to become a father in all senses of
the world.
But, has he left it
too late? Will the pair ever be able to reconcile their differences?
EXCERPT:
Cate Rollins stood in
the sun-filled kitchen of the house she’d rented and opened another box. The
cheery yellow walls and the dark oak cabinets made the large room seem cozy.
Yesterday she and her daughter had arrived in mid-afternoon and blessed her friend
for leaving most of the furniture. She’d brought little of the battered
furniture from the apartment.
The sound of children’s laughter flowed through the open window. Moments
after their arrival, the swing set had been delivered and assembled. The August
afternoon had been cool, a welcome change from the past week’s brutal heat.
As
she placed dishes on the shelves of the cabinets she hoped the return to Eastlake to
take charge of the newly established RehabCenter had
been the right move. Since her mother’s death when Maddie had turned two,
Cate’s life had been filled with work, school and raising her child. Now she
had returned to the town where she’d attended college. Four of her closest
friends had settled here and she believed their presence was a plus. They’d
come to the house to help her settle in.
“Where do you want this?” Lauren, owner of the house, held a wok, the
metal blackened from use.
Cate pointed to a hook on the wall above the gleaming stove. “Here is
good. Maddie and I make stir fry often, especially the chicken cashew recipe
you taught the Gang.”
Lauren laughed. “Do you make as much?”
“I’ve managed to cut the recipe down so we only have to eat it for a day
or two.” She folded an empty box.
“That’s still my only dish. Thank heavens I’ve a housekeeper who’s a marvelous
cook.”
“Thanks for letting me rent your house while I look for one.”
“Don’t be in a rush to buy.” Lauren winked. “Both Liz and I found our
happy-ever- afters here. You could be next. There are several new doctors
arriving soon.”
Cate closed her eyes lest her friend see the sorrow and anger ever
present in her thoughts. She’d lost her chance for a full life when he’d left
ten minutes after the graduation ceremony ended without a goodbye. She hadn’t
been able to tell him about the pregnancy and she’d been too angry to call him.
“I’m content without a man in my life.” She smiled. “Maddie is great
company.”
While preparing to move into my former study no longer needed as a bedroom, I came across a book I'd read many years ago and delved into the contents. "On Becoming a Novelist by John Gardner" had given me much to think about. I began to read the book again.
Verbal Sensitivity was one thing spoken about. A love for words and making them build pictures for others is important to anyone wanting to write. I began with short stories and learned how to make a few words do the job of many. I dabbled in poetry using words in different ways to bring about meanings. When I turned to writing longer stories, I realized my fascination with words would help. I enjoy looking up words in an Entomology book I have and seeing how they arose. But I also liked to use a word a bit different from it's meaning. In our critique group, there was a woman who also liked language but she was a stickler for precision of language. She always had fits when I used a word in a manner she didn't think was proper.
Along with verbal sensitivity, to write novels having a sense of sentence rhythm is valuable. Short sentences, long sentences are needed to create a dream. That's what a novel really is, a world shown through the imagination of the writer. The dream contains characters, setting, action and atmosphere, all created by words.
So work to attain a verbal sensitivity to make your fiction ring.
Meander 1 - Reading __ I've been re-reading Joan Hall Hovey's suspenseful stories. I am awed by her ability to cause chills walking my spine. She really has the suspense element down and sometimes they border on horror. Not really but she has managed to produce the same fear in her characters. Reviews will be written someday. Also reading something from a new writer and offering a detailed critique. This is also interesting to do.
Meander 2 - Being Homebound - sort of. I'm not really forced to stay at home but with this coronovirus running amok, at my age, I feel staying away from crowds is important. Fortunately, I have more than a thousand books on my Kindle and am working on a new book. That should keep me bus. There is the process of getting ready to move myself downstairs to what was my study and was used as a bedroom for my husband. Will be hard to get used to working in my new old space but I will be able to do this with little problem.
Meander 3 - Writing - Working hard on the plot draft which means making sure I have the time line down. The story is progressing. As I'm working on this draft, I also find places where a new scene needs to be added and also where I can expand or subtract a scene already written. This draft is one that leads me from the beginning through the middle to the end.
Seth, an undercover cop has been betrayed by his handler. To escape he calls a number on a flyer and is transported to an ancient Egypt he doesn’t understand. He must rescue the Daughter from the evil priests of Aken Re.
Merin is the Daughter. She must find the man who by wedding her will become Pharaoh. She plots to escape the priests of Aken Re and flee to those who years ago saved her life.
Can Seth and Merin find a way to defeat the priests? Is love the answer to their problems? Can they join with the Warrior of Bast and of Horu to bring unity to the Two Lands?
RT Review Following on the heels of The Warrior of Bast, this story is filled with magic and fascinating characters. Those interested in ancient Egypt will find this an enthralling tale. A satisfying ending is presented for the hero and heroine, with a promising lead-in to the next story.
![Horu's Chosen (An Alternate Egypt Book 2) by [Walters, Janet Lane]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51P4HYIdQPL.jpg)