Processing the Words into the Story

There’s a neat blog tour going around, where we’re asked to share our writing process, and then we ask others to do the same. I was asked by the amazing Kayelle Allen. Kayelle has created a vast universe full of people with the courage to fall in love. And I’ve found a wonderful eclectic bunch to share their information, some of them are going to be added in later.

We’re all starting by answering four questions

1) What am I working on? Edits on one of my older stories, and a new story following up on Teach Me To Forget. In TMTF Bethany refers to a women’s shelter that has helped above and beyond what’s expected and as a result many of the women from there have succeeded beyond expectation. One of them is a highly respected environmental expert. Jess is that expert, and the town she’s hired to help is the same town that turned its back on her when she was a frightened young girl. Is this an opportunity for ultimate revenge, or final closure? And what about the son she put up for adoption?

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre? The first genre romance I read was by Jayne Anne Krentz. I had expected purple prose and unnaturally beautiful characters. Instead I read about people I could meet every day, succeeding against odds and falling in love in spite of themselves. The fantasy for me is every day people doing extraordinary things, such as saving the world…and falling in forever love.

3) Why do I write what I do? I could say my writing is cathartic but in fact it’s often painful and frustrating and anything but pleasant. So why do I write? Because these doggone ideas keep coming up in my mind and before you know it, the story is THERE RIGHT THERE just nudging me to let it out and play. And just about the time I give in and start that story I’m sure is going to just write itself, it decides to change me up into something entirely different.

4) How does your writing process work? Easier to say how it used to work. I used to work a full time job, come home, tend dogs, feed husband, put the various two and four legged friends to bed. Then I’d write from ten or eleven at night until two to three

Come play. NOW

in the morning. Fall into bed, get up the next morning to start all over again. I was massively productive. At that time I’d start with a basic idea of how the book would end, and write from beginning to end. Sometimes I’d write for a while, outline for a while, write again. And I told myself one day I’d have all the time in the world to write.
That one day arrived and I’m less productive than ever.  I’m dragging myself back into writing every day which is the major part of becoming productive. For the first time I tried writing scenes instead of straight through. Not sure if that’s working for me but it will be a great way to finally start using Scrivener.
I think some of the current road block has to do with fear of not being able to write anything that’s worth reading. The only thing worse is…you guessed it…not writing at all.

Funny thing, as I was writing about the process of writing I started…writing.  Still working around the dogs…put the dog out, bring the dog in, oops have to stop and play with the dog. Or cat. No more horses, unfortunately and gardening here is more of a challenge than it was in California. But there are such wonderful compensations.

Big skies, glorious sunsets

What am I working on when I’m not staring at the sunset? Here’s a bit of what came about this morning…looks like my people are taking over the book, they’ve been resisting their first sex scene for a while, and finally explained why. They’re exhausted, they’ve fallen into bed together, and Jess thinks she’s ready to get closer.

***

    “No, Jess. Not tonight.” Not yet his thoughts added. And his body whined ‘When?’
In the dim light he could see the lines between her brows, and the gleam of her eyes. Then her gaze shifted to the side, closing him out.
“I am not rejecting you. It’s just not the right time.”
“Seems to me it is. We’re in bed together, no one’s pounding on the door or calling on the phone. It’s dark, it’s private…”
“And it’s cheating both of us.” At her sudden intense frown, he sighed. “Sex is…well, it’s easy. Body parts fitting together, friction plus hormones and you get release, hopefully pleasant for both parties.”
“So what’s wrong with that?”
“What if you want more? What if I want more or we want more?”
“More than sex?” She raised up on one elbow, pulling away from him. For just a moment he wanted to hold her body against his. “What on earth are you talking about?”
He swallowed, studied the pale face surrounded by short dark spiky hair.
“Intimacy.”
“Intimacy?” Her hand pulled away from his slackened grip, and landed on his erection, which responded immediately and with great energy. He grabbed again, pulling her hand up to rest on the pillow at her shoulder.
“No, Jess.”
“Just checking. You were sounding so girly, I wanted to be sure something hadn’t changed in the last few minutes.”

Like I said, they’re taking over. Feels like I’m just along for the ride.

You’ll want to check out how  Doranna Durgin explains her process. And you’ll probably end up as much in awe of her as I am…what a powerhouse!