Writing Keeps Me Busy!

It has been an exciting week! I completed the Cover Art Questionaire for Cruise Into My Heart and the talented Resplendence Publishings' artists are working on the request.

I also recieved and signed the contract and the book will be out October 4, 2017.

I completed my first edits on Breakout Heat and turned it over to by Beta readers for their comments and input.

In my last blog, I asked whether or not to write a sequel to When the Runway Went South, so while I wait for two sets of edits, I will review WTRWS to see how I can do a sequel. Believe you me, I have plenty of material!

I questioned what I should write about next when it dawned on me that I'm going to my xx (fill in the blanks) high school reunion this weekend. I went to an all girls Catholic High school in Springfield, IL. I haven't seen my classmates in years. Yes, I keep in touch with many of them via FB, but it will be interesting to see them in person.

Please remind me to keep my mouth shut so I can listen to their stories!

New Book Sent to my Editor

I am so excited to announce my manuscript for Cruise Into My Heart, has been submitted to my editor with a tentative publish date of October 4th!

I want to thank all of my beta readers for their comments and how to make it a better story. It is based on a true story but somewhat embellished by me.

Which brings me to my next work of art, Breakout Heat. I'm halfway through it's first set of Lois' edits trying to make the characters more vibrant. I'm reading my favorite authors books like crazy to assist in that goal. Then I will give the manuscript to my cohorts in crime for their opinions and comments.

However, I've been deterred by life events. When the Runway Went South is really my third attempt at writing a book. As you know, we bought the Money Pit when we moved to the Dallas area. We have never spent more money on a house in our first year of owning a home. Everything in the story is true. Because it was a true story written from my heart, Lazy Day Publishing accepted it and stood behind my work. Then Blushing Books acquired the Lazy Day name. Unfortunately, Blushing Books Publishing made the decision to no longer carry the imprint of Lazy Day and therefore the book is no longer available.

Which brings me to my next step. This last year, the house has acted up again where we've had incredibe repair bills beyond our worst nightmare. It's to the point where we can't afford to live in this house, but who would buy it? My mentor is screaming SEQUEL! The characters are talking to me.
Should I do it?

Funny Story

When I tell people that I'm an author, most of them can't believe it. (Well, sometimes I wonder myself, lol). But I love when they launch into their stories if they could write, it would be a best seller.

My 84 year old aunt said I should write about my husband's family. Um, she's never read any of my books and I hate to tell her that a lot of my characters are based on my husband's family. When Play for Me was being edited, my editor told me that the heroine's mother was too mean and to lighten up the character because it was not real. I wanted to introduce her to my relative but thought better about it and changed the character.

My husband's uncle is a retired Chicago Policeman and he does have great stories that I'm compiling.

Next, I was at a pool party and met a delightful young man and his husband. They couldn't wait to talk to me. They wanted me to write a story about our next president who would be gay and his husband would not be the first lady, he would be the first man. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around that one. I asked about the plot and they said that was it. A gay first man! I'd really have to do research on that topic....

While the plumber repaired my underground clogged pipe, ($$$$) he said I should write a book about Jesus as a salesman. How Jesus was able to sell his beliefs to the world and still maintain this belief to this day. I hated to burst his bubble, but I told him people have researched that very topic for years. I write contemporary romances, a feel good story that warms the heart. That topic is a little too heavy for me.

I wonder what will be next? Do other authors get the same reaction from people? I don't know!

Working with Characters of a Story

So sorry I haven't blogged for a while! We had out of town family come and visit us for seven days over the July 4th holiday. We also took three days of vacation to do much needed yard work. I think we're done and I'm ready to get back to writing. Having people around tends to do that to me.

I'm taking today and Sunday to read. There are so many inspirational authors that help me work through tough passages.

I'm finicky when it come to my characters and I want to make sure I'm portraying them the way I want them to come across. The latest book I wrote which I'm editing is not doing that for me. My heroine and hero are flat. Grrr! Spending ten days away from it is helping and each book I read gives me a picture of how the author gets their characters alive! Come Monday, I'm ready to tackle it again.

Granted, I have the best editor ever, Michele! But I want it to be perfect before it gets into her hands.

Back to personal stuff! It's been very hot and humid in Texas. We've had more rain than I can remember since we moved here in 2009. Usually, by this time of year, the grass is brown and there are fire warnings. Not so! We've had close to 6 inches of rain in one week. We've had to cut our grass twice in ten days. The pool is still cold from all the rain water, but at least it's refreshing!

I hope everyone had a great holiday!