Wedensday's Writer's Tip - Writing ABC - Countries #MFRWauthor #Writing

More exploration of setting - things a writer needs to know. This is about countries. This is the broadest of past of settings and bringing the reader into the story. Though your story may take place in the country where you live, you have a choice of which elements that make us a country to put into your book. You may be writing about a country where you have visited. Then you need to hone in on the things that interested you the most. Perhaps it's the Tower of London or the streets of Paris. The scene could be a country you're exploring in a historical setting for the story. Here you must make sure you don't have a structure that wasn't present in the time setting you've chosen. Readers like to point out anomalies. Now one can get away with this if they're writing an alternate world setting.

If you're writing fantasies you really need to invent your physical world and create a map if only in your head showing things like rivers, mountains and other such physical things. You may not use the all, but you'll have them on tap.

A good source of the physical world you can find are maps, atlases and books that show different climes. A class I had in college helps me with this and I often pull the small textbook for that course to help when I'm writing some world that is invented or some place I've been on the world I know. This is about as general as one sees the setting of a story. Just remember one little touch can be the one that makes the reader believe in what you've created.

Tuesday's Inspiration revisiting the Writer's Journey - Christopher Vogler #MFRWauthor

Written in 2010 and revisited today.

Years ago, I bought The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler and started to read it but for some reason I put it on the shelf and didn't finish it. While doing these things to inspire people in their writing I pulled it off the shelf and started to read.

He maps out a sort of 3 act arc. This begins in the ordinary world. This made me think about the ordinary world. This is different for each character one creates and this means one has to build a bit of the character's world before the story begins. For me this means that after I've decided what my story is going to entail, I have to think about what is going on in a character's life and what makes them want to leave this world that may be comfortable or uncomfortable. He talks about :The fish out of water." Sometimes I've used this but sometimes I've made the fish be in the water and the changes that come from without. Mrs. Miller in the first two stories of the mystery series is in her world and her world is threatened. In the third and fourth books of the series she does step out of her world and I think when I get to the fifth, she will again leave her world and in the sixth she will return to her world being disturbed by events. So reading just a few paragraphs has made me think about the stories I've written and the ones I'll be writing.

Re-reading this segment made me realize how important world-building is for the writer to master. Even in the contemporary story each character's world is slightly different. As I've continued to write since I read this part of the book, world building has become a vital part of the way I start to plan my stories. How about you? Do you look at the characters' view of their world whether contemporary, historical or a fantasy world?

Meandering On Monday with Janet Lane Walters #MFRWauthor #writing #poem #birthdays

Meander 1  Poem

MIrror

I feel I am a mirror - reflecting
Other people's lives.
A surface shimmering
With other people's deeds.
So little of myself is seen.
So little do I do.
I live a silvered background
Of other people's days.
So little can I do
But sit and observe.

Meander 2 - Yesterday I had a birthday. The thing that interests me is I feel no older than I did the day before. I have lived many years - 80 - and I do remember most of those years. Not so much of the early ones. In fact other than stories told to me by parents and grandparents I'm not sure I really remember or what they have told me becomes mixed in my memories. The first one I really recall was when I was three and I went with my grandfather to the local library for my first library card. I had to read from a book in the children's section for the librarian. I did and I had my card. Another memory about reading was first grade. We had those Dick and Jane books. When it was my turn to attempt reading, I read every line with expression. The teacher insisted I had memorized the book because someone had read it to me. In tears I went home and told my father, This was lunch time and we went home to eat. No cafeterias in those days. My father dragged me to the school and the principal's office. He insisted they pick a book from their shelves and ask me to read. I did, only stumbling over long words in the passage - like Allegheny and Mononghela. The book was an American history. They told my teacher and I didn't have to perform with the other children but could read what I wanted. That teacher never liked me.

Meander 3 - Writing. I'm rough drafting a new story and I really made a mess. In chapter one, I mention the heroine's mother had died a year before. Low and behold in chapter 11 the mother reappears. Meant reworking that part of the book to rid myself of the Major Plot hold. Right now I'm working on the final written draft of Kat's story as well as typing changed made in the first four chapters of that book, typing more segments of Past Betrayals and typing the Cancer Capticorn Connection rough draft. Flying fingers win.

Sunday's Book - Melodic Dreams #MFRWauthor #music #Occupational therapy

When Maria and a child she says is his arrives on Jay’s doorsteps, he is in the middle of composing a musical. Though the four year old has his eyes, Jay can’t be sure this isn’t a scam. He believes his dead wife took steps to rid herself of the child. A need for his assistance to help with childcare while she works is Maria’s reason for arriving in Fern Lake. She also believes her nephew should know his father. Can Jay accept and learn to love his child and deal with the attraction to a woman who physically looks like his dead wife? Can Maria deal with his trust issues and a threat from her own family?

5.0 out of 5 starsTugged My Heartstrings

By Kindle Customer on May 4, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition

This story tugged my heartstrings. Part of that is because I identify so closely with the heroine Maria. I've was a single parent once myself and I know how demanding that can be. Maria takes on the same demands to parent her nephew Jamie. He's a lovable four-year-old for sure but I still admire her. Especially when she extends herself even further and tries to unite the boy with his estranged father Jay who misunderstands her intentions entirely. Which is maybe understandable since she's financially distressed and he's wealthy. Meanwhile Maria and Jay are attracted to each other from the start but that only complicates the situation more. Plus Maria injures herself and... Well I'm not going to spoil the story for you. I was rooting for this trio to become a family from the start. Each of them needs the other and they all need to be together. But there are obstacles to overcome. Substantial obstacles. That's what makes this such a compelling read. That and the chemistry between Maria and Jay which is hot and gets hotter still all the way through. I recommend this as Janet Lane Walters' best novel yet.

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

By Kat Taylor on March 24, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

Janet Lane Walters has done it again. Another sexy read. I always look forward to her books.

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

By Jewelry fan on June 20, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

Entertaining read!

Saturday's Blurbs - Books by Heather Greenis #MFRWauthor

I'm sending the blurb for the saga as a whole. If you want all four blurbs, let me know,  

The Natasha Saga 

1. Natasha's Dream  

2. Natasha's Diary  

3. Natasha's Hope, 

4. Natasha's Legacy - the conclusion

Empowerment shatters traditions and lives. Greed and pride have devastating consequences. Sacrifices must be made. Written on multiple levels, the saga deals with hope, relationships, and giving, set against a background of conflicting values. 

Through a series of dreams, modern day couple Keeghan and William follow the triumphs and tragedies of multiple generations of the Donovan family. A chance encounter changes Natasha’s life, forever. In her diary, Natasha writes of her dream, and her hope to escape a horrid dictated future.

Will Natasha's legacy survive an uncertain future? 

amazon

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=heather+greenis

kobo

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/Search?Query=heather+greenis

i-books from i-tunes

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/author/heather-greenis/id664636677?mt=11

Friday - Heather Greenis - About Characters and Writing #MFRWauthor

1. Do your characters come before the plot? Do you sketch out your plot or do you let the characters develop the route to the end?

An idea for a plot comes to me and the process begins. I develop characters based on the plot and how I want it to unfold. Of course this goes through some massive changes as the MS progresses. The plot dictates the education level and careers for my characters.  

 2. How do you create your characters? Do you have a specific process?

I don't have a specific process. My characters can and do change in order for my plot to progress. Nothing is written in stone. I've been known to have an 'oh, wouldn't it be cool if...' moment and then I'm editing to make that idea work. When writing The Natasha Saga, an idea came to me in the fourth book that sent me back to the 3rd book to write a scene. I was fortunate that I was able to make the storyline flow. The entire saga was written before I sought out a publisher. 

3. Do you know how the story will end before you begin? In a general way or a specific one?

The ending or at least the climax is the initial idea for the plot. I write around that. I develop character and the flow of the story around that idea. The idea for my current work in progress came to me while walking the dog. My neighbour put a chair on the path so she could sit and knit while enjoying the view. My characters won't be knitting.   :- )

4. Do you choose settings you know or do you have books of settings and plans of houses sitting around?

My settings are generally places I have visited. Keeghan and William's house is based on my current home. The location was inspired by the waterfront property at a bread and breakfast we stayed at while visiting British Columbia. I fell in love with the location while we were there. The cottage Natasha and Stewart live in was based on a cottage we stayed at while vacationing in Shining Tree in Northern Ontario.  

5. Where do you do your research? On line or from books?

I do research on-line, just to ensure my facts are correct. To ensure I use the proper terms. Then I have my husband read the story. He's really good at catching little errors.  He is also my biggest critic. If he doesn't like the story, regardless how much time I've dedicated to it, out it goes, or back to the editing table. Either way, he is the only set of eyes that sees that version if I don't get his thumbs up. 

Thursday's Opening Scene - Rekindled Dreams #MFRWauthor #Romance #contemporar

Rekindled Dreams

Chapter 1

“Asshole.” Pressing his hands against the metal desk, Simon Parker glared at the head of the Narcotic’s Division. His teeth clenched. He would not lose his temper and shout the words circling like poison darts in his thoughts.His left leg tensed. The quads tightened. Though the wound had healed, the agony of the day the bullet tore into his flesh returned with a roar. An image of his dead partner’s blank eyes fueled his anger. Only a few threads of sanity kept him from erupting in an action he would regret. At the moment, his single desire was slamming his fist into the sorry bastard’s face.

Captain Paley half rose from his chair. “I’ll ignore that comment.”

“I’d rather you didn’t.” A burn seared Simon’s gut.

“You’re still under my command and you’ll do what I order.”

“I don’t think so.”

Paley grasped the edge of his desk. “You’re cleared for duty. You’re going undercover with the Garsis’ gang.”

“Not going to happen.” Simon pulled two envelopes from the pocket of his windbreaker.

“You’ll do as ordered.”

“This isn’t the army.” Simon drew a deep breath that did nothing to calm his temper. I asked for a transfer to any division or precinct. I’d even go back to walking a beat. Anywhere but Narcotics.”

“Your transfer was denied,” Paley said.

“Where’s the letter?”

“You’re needed here. Your experience is valuable. Just shove your hissy fit in a drawer and follow orders.”

Simon dropped his badge and gun on the desk. More of his control frayed. He didn’t care that the office door was open and every ear in the outer room was tuned to the discussion in here. He wanted out before his temper erupted.

Drawing a deep breath he held his fists at his side. “I won’t work another day for an asshole.” He stabbed the envelopes with a finger. “My resignation is effective immediately. Here is a copy of my request for a transfer. You can’t bury them in your files this time. Copies have been sent to everyone I could think of.” He whirled and strode to the door.

“Parker, get back here.” Paley’s voice reached a level even the dead could hear. “We’re not finished.”

“I am.”

“Just listen to me. Pull off this job and you’ll be golden.”

Simon stomped to the door. “Too late. I quit. I’m done. I’m out of here.” Could he make his decision any clearer?

“I’ll recommend you for a promotion.”

“Not going to bite your carrot.” The words he’d held back seeped closer to an eruption. He nearly turned to blast the man and halted the action. No sense being arrested for assault. Cops fared poorly in prison.

“Why walk out?” The shouted question reached Simon. “Give me a good reason.”

“To save my life. Not gonna let you or anyone put me on a slab.” He slammed the door to Paley’s office and stomped into the outer room. Anger snapped the last thread restraining his temper. If he’d had his gun he would have shot the bastard.

The desks in the outer office were mainly empty. The few men and women present pretended to be busy. His glare must have warned them not to poke.

At the elevator he pressed the down button in a series of impatient thrusts. What now? He had no idea but anywhere else would be a better choice. The doors opened. Not anywhere. There were a few places he never wanted to visit again like the abandoned warehouse and the hospital or…

Not going there.

When Simon stepped outside, the smells of the city slapped him. Exhaust fumes from passing cars. The odors of people passing by. Hints of cooking food, garbage and some unidentifiable stenches.

Sounds made his head ache. Horns blared. Rap, pop, and strains of other music rushed past. The buzz of passing conversations reminded him of swarming bees.

Instead of taking a series of buses, he hailed a cab and gave his address. He sank against the cushions to find the calm center he’d lost days ago when he’d learned his request for a transfer hadn’t been received.

At the apartment building, he paid the cabby and rode the elevator to the third floor. He opened the door and wrinkled his nose. Place smelled stale just like his life. He opened several windows hoping to catch a breeze. The April day had turned warmer than predicted.

He strode to the kitchen for a beer. The red circle around the date brought a scowl. A former female friend had circled dates on every page for the holidays. Happy Birthday. Number twenty eight. Big deal.

He grabbed a beer and peered into the nearly empty shelves. Should he hit the corner deli? Maybe tomorrow. He tapped a number and ordered a loaded pit. Maybe he’d light a candle. One would suffice.

Back in the living room he kicked off his shoes, took a swig and groaned. He needed a life. The weeks since his release from the hospital had found him spending more time  here than usual. Trips for physical therapy, to a local restaurant or to the deli marked his social schedule.

His gaze swept over the room and he noticed how few personal touches had accumulated in the five years he’d lived in the apartment. A few snapshots, a diploma, books and the small wooden box he’d taken from Fern Lake when he’d run. The apartment could belong to anyone.

One month left on the lease. He had until then to decide whether to renew or not. Once he decided what was next on his agenda, he couldn’t sign for another year. He loved being a cop. Hadn’t minded Narcotics until the asshole Paley had been made boss.

Pizza arrived. He set the box on the glass top of the coffee table, pulled a slice free and turned on the TV. Until he found a new path he was a man of leisure.

Thoughts of doing nothing made him swallow a huge bite. He had enough in the bank to last a year or so. His jaw clenched. Doing nothing wasn’t his style. He’d never just lazed about.

As he finished a second slice, a persistent buzz annoyed him. Not his cell or the burner phone. What the hell. Who would call on the land line? Only one person ever did. He dashed to the kitchen and grabbed the receiver of the wall phone.

“Hello.”

He recognized the voice. Was she calling the way she always did on a major holiday or his birthday? “Aunt May, guess you remembered.”

She gasped. “I’d forgotten. Happy Birthday.”

Simon’s hand tightened on the receiver. He heard huskiness in her voice. Had she been crying? 

“What’s wrong?” The sound of her blowing her nose reached him.

“It’s Randy.”

What had his cousin done to make his aunt cry? There had been several calls from her over the years when Randy had been in trouble. “Tell me.”

“He was killed in an automobile accident last night.”

Simon wished he was close enough to offer her comfort. She'd always been strong and Randy had been her most troubled child. “When?”

“Around midnight.”

“Where?”

“He and his fiancé were on their way from dinner at the Club.”

Simon felt like he’d been kicked by a mule. A memory of the winding road from the building high on the hill outside Fern Lake flashed into view.

“Fiancée? What do you mean?”

Though he and his aunt had talked on Christmas Day, his cousin hadn’t been mentioned. Had he missed something? About three years ago, Randy had married Simon’s high school sweetheart. “I thought he was married.”

May cleared her throat. “He and Dana divorced seven months ago.” She sighed. “Their parting shouldn’t still upset me since he didn’t treat her nicely.”

Simon sucked in a breath. A dozen memories from the days when he’d lived at the Grantlan mansion crowded his thoughts. He shoved them away. Anything that happened back then would stay there. Moving forward was his style.

“Did he abuse her?” He couldn’t contain the question.

“Not in a physical way.” She paused. “His drinking and womanizing were painful for her. She received little support when she tried to get him to seek help. Robert didn’t approve of the marriage. Neither did Patricia.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Come for the viewing and stay for the funeral. There are things we need to discuss.”

Simon’s gut clenched. The small scars on his back itched. Randy was dead. Didn’t change any of Simon’s feelings toward most of the Grantlan family. He cared for Aunt May. His mother’s sister had welcomed him even though she hadn’t spoken to his parents since they’d eloped. She’d insisted her husband give him a home.

He drew a deep breath. What new bomb would blow up his life? He’d resigned from a job he’d liked because he’d refused to obey Paley’s orders. Years ago he’d taken off because Dana had denied him what he’d wanted. He’d been an asshole that day. He groaned. Every time he reached a turning point he walked away. Move forward and don’t look back, he’d told himself. Would returning to Fern Lake be a mistake?

“Simon, are you there?”

“Yes.”

“Will you come?”

He swallowed against the huge lump forming in his throat. He’d lived in the Grantlan mansion for eight miserable years. No day had passed without being told he wasn’t worthy of being part of the family. Only the huge fortune his aunt had inherited from her family had made her suited to become a Grantlan.

“I’m not sure I can take the time off.” His face burned but he couldn’t tell her he didn’t care about Randy. In fact he felt glad.

“I’m sure they’ll give you the days for a family funeral.”

Since there was no one to grant him leave, she was right. His own reluctance to retrace his tracks held him back.

“Simon, please. I’m afraid trouble is brewing.”

“What kind?”

“Patricia is out of control. She’s making wild accusations and spouting conspiracy theories. Said Dana sabotaged Randy’s car or Melanie grabbed the wheel. You know how close she and Randy were.”

“Can’t Robert control her?”

“He’s angry about something to do with the business. Keeps saying Randy picked a bad time to die.”

“Any reason?”

“I don’t know. What if Dana comes to the funeral home? She and I became friends. What if Patricia attacks her?”

He shouldn’t care but he did. Simon released the breath he held. He had no place to be. “I’ll come tomorrow.” Would he regret the decision?

“I’ll have your room prepared.”

“Don’t. I can’t stay there.” Thoughts of being in that house again brought a rush of acid into his throat. Ten years ago he’d vowed never to enter the Grantlan home again.

* * *

Wednesday's Writer's Tip - Time #MFRWauthor #amwriting

When I think of Setting, I know I have to think about time. Time can be a valuable and vital part of setting the story. I seldom write historical romances but I do know when I have the time period of the story is a vital part of establishing the validity of the story. Life and attitudes were different in pre-written times and also in each century of man's existence. So making sure to read a bit about the time I'm writing about is important. Thinking about books I've written with a medical background, during the years I've been writing many things have changed, especially in the medical field so the time I'm writing about plays an important.

Time also involves seasons of the year. Each season and each month has a different flavor. Knowing this is important to the writer. One could have a snow storm in May but much would depend on where the story takes place. I do remember once when it snowed on Memorial Day and that was because of a freak cold front. Would I use this in a story. Maybe but probably not. So knowing the season it important. Also the month of the year. Though spring covers a number of months usually three, July is different from August. The writer needs to be aware of these things.

Time also involved time of day. Knowing when the sun rises might effect a story. Knowing when the sun sets could also have an effect. Having the villain creep in during the dark hours of the night would be different that having him creep about during the day.

So when you're writing be aware of time and the story will seem more real to the reader.

Tuesday's Inspiration - The Moment of Recognition #MFRWauthor #writing

This inspiration was written in 2010 and remains valid today.  Sometimes when writing comes the moment when you realize where the story is going. Suddenly the plot comes as a whole rather than in bits and pieces and the writing becomes less of a struggle to find the world. For me this happens while I'm writing away and realize there are dozens of plot holes that need to be filled in, changed, taken out. This happened to me this week while I was doing a rough mockup of my next story. I knew what I had to take out, to change and what to move to another area. So what I learned way back them is valid today.

I did a bit on plotting last Friday but while reading On Becoming an Author, John Gardner, I read a sentence that resonated with me. "Plot is not a series of surprises, but a series of recognitions or moments of understanding." Sometimes when writing and struggling to get the words on paper, I know there are moments when I suddenly see what I was meaning to say. That often means going back and removing a scene or a short passage that jumped in when it brought no understanding to what I was meaning to say.

Sometimes the writer knows what they mean but they've managed to obscure the understanding from the reader. Not letting the reader know what's coming and blindsiding them can make them turn away from the story. Try to think of the reader as a partner and let them in on the secrets you hold from the characters. Leave the surprises for the characters to reach a moment of recognition or understanding.

Meandering On Monday with Janet Lane Walters #MFRWauthor

Meander 1 - Poem

Garden Party

Party, party, party
Party, party , party
Bring the food and jugs of wine.
This is a celebration.

For what? For what?
I wondered aloud.
But no one seemed to know.
Perhaps a liberation.

Meander 2 - What do you do when time runs away from you. This is what I'm wondering today. Seems the days are shorter though the calendar doesnt' show that.

Meander 3 - Rough drafts are really rough. There are so many plot holes in my current work it will take weeks to plug them. The most interesting one is where a character died before the story began and I have her driving up to the house alive nearly a year later. Oops. So I'll be trying to find my way out of that error,