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New Year, New Book

By Robin Kaye

Every November when NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) rolls around, I’m always flying at lightning speed toward a December deadline. I hate the word deadline, but that’s a topic for another blog. I wish I can really do NaNoWriMo—not just try to get 50,000 words written in a month, which I’ve been known to do when I’m speeding toward the big “D.” I want to start a new book at the beginning and write my little heart out; to fully immerse myself in my characters and story line; to get that cool little winner doohickey to put on my website. Winner! Ah, that must be so wonderful!

Alas, NaNoWriMo just doesn’t jibe with my publication schedule, but New Years does. I awoke New Years Day still suffering from the stomach flu and wishing I was hung over. At least when you wake with a hang over, you usually had fun the night before, and there are all sorts of age-old remedies for it—a known cure. The flu—not so much. Still, despite the queasiness, there was that excitement bubbling through me like the matzo in my chicken broth, a tingle running up my leg that was, no doubt, the thrill of starting a new book.

The fact that this is Judge Trapper Kincaid’s book is even more exciting because frankly, I’m head-over-heels in love with this character. I fell for him the second I wrote his first line and have been gushing over him ever since. I’ve been waiting to find the perfect woman who could challenge Trapper and not just succumb to all that charm. I’ve worked for over a year, racking my brain to find someone smart enough to best him in an argument, strong enough to stand up to him, and independent enough not to need him, or at least make him believe she doesn’t need him.

Thankfully, my subconscious was hard at work when I brought Bianca Ferrari to the mountains of Idaho. One scene with Trapper and Bianca together produced more electricity than Con Edison does in a year. I finally found the perfect woman. Now all I have to do is get them to stop hating each other and write the damn book.

Just because I can’t do NaNoWriMo in November, doesn’t mean I can’t do it in January. Still, it’s too bad I won’t get the winner doohickey.

So tell me, what are you beginning this New Year?

Comments

  1. I love this post, Robin. It made me want to read more about Trapper and Bianca right NOW. When did you meet Bianca? How did she show up?

    Good luck with your new release. They're just getting better and better.

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  2. Robin, I'm sorry you had the flu, but glad your creativity wasn't shut down. It's a great feeling to find the perfect character.

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  3. I'm also sorry you had the flu for New Years, Robin! It's great to come up with characters you love... and I'm with you on the writing a book in a month. For one, I can't turn off the editor in me while I'm writing! :) Plus with editing other books in the wings, it stops me from working solely on just the new book. So does it really matter? Nah, just as long as the characters get together in the end--HEA! :)

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  4. Robin:
    A doohickey is just an icon ... now kick the flu in the butt and tell us more about Judge Trapper!

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  5. Robin! What a great post! I loved hearing about Trapper and Bianca...ok I need to hear more. Of course we know they'll eventually stop arguing long enough to fall in love, but it's the journey that makes it worth the trip!

    About the NaNo I know exactly what you mean. I even went so far as to sign up for the NaNo thing with one of my writer's groups, but I was screaming toward my Dec. 31st deadline and just couldn't figure out how to make it all work. It was a no brainer--I finished the book.

    Maybe someday I'll do the Nano thing, but not in the forseeable future. I'm still searching for the perfect woman for JESSE and need to get back to the last book in the trilogy.

    I cannot wait to hear more about Trapper and Bianca!

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  6. LoL! I've got too many loose ends to tie up to even think about beginnings at this point. But there's always tomorrow...
    Great post!

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  7. Yay! Trapper!!! I know how much you've wanted to write his story. Can't wait to meet Bianca!

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  8. Marley~ Bianca is my heroine's boss in On The Wild Side. She's an ex-supermodel and owns a modeling agency. She also had a real thing for Trapper's brother, Hunter who, much to her dismay, wasn't at all interested and fell head over heels with Toni, her manager.

    Anita - Thanks, the flu followed me from Christmas Eve through New Years. I don't think my stomach will ever be the same. Still, Bianca is perfect and I'm still floating.

    Terry - I can't turn the editor off. I pretty much write a scene, work on the scene, fix it and then move on. That way at the end of the book there's very little rewriting to do, just a little tweaking.

    Carolyn - Ah, Trapper...he has blond curly hair, which is a little too long, he wears shorts and T-shirts under his Judges robes, goes fly fishing in the Boise River on his lunch hour, and drives his BMW Motorcycle to work on nice days. He's got a wicked sense of humor, can read people like nobody's business but not Bianca.

    C.H. - Don't you just hate it when you have the perfect hero and the heroine is elusive?

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  9. @ Cheryl- Exatly

    @ Judi - Yeah, Trapper has been running around in my head for so long, I'm thrilled to be able to write him!

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  10. I know what you mean about NaNo. The challenge entices me, but usually I have other challenges that have to be met first. And realistically, I don't have a snowball's chance of coming anywhere near the goal. I'm a sloooooooooooooow writer.

    If you ever do throw your hat in the ring, let me know. I'll cheer you on!

    In my own tortoise-like way, I'm starting a new small-town series.

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  11. Robin, I've been looking forward so much to this book! I brought it on my trip to Montana, and I'll be sneaking off to read as much of it as I can. Can't wait!
    Meanwhile, I'm starting a new book too, although I started in mid-December. I get to hang out with a rodeo cowboy this time...!

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  12. Is there anything in the WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD as lovely as waking up with a scene in your head that must be written immediately, come fire, flood, famine or tax audit? I just love it when that happens! Best of luck Robin, and your 2000 words a day goal has me churning along smartly on my own WIP.

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  13. I'm finishing a book right now (TASTE ME's followup, CHASE ME) so, like you, the timing of NaNo just doesn't work for me. But the The Ruby Slippered Sisterhood (2009 GH finalists) is running a Winter Writing Festival starting Monday 1/10 through the end of Feb. (www.rsswwf.com) Now THIS timing suits me to a T.

    Riddle me this: does anyone know who the genius is that scheduled NaNoto occur the same month as a major holiday?!

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  14. What a goal! Write 50,000 words in a month! No can do for me. Not even for a doohicky and I sure would love to have one. Now, tell me what it is.
    Amelia

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  15. Your book sounds great - happy writing! I also would love a NaNo doohickey but I always seem to be editing a book rather than writing a new one when November rolls around. Maybe next year.

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  16. Enjoy the start of your new book, Robin. The little bit you shared sounds wonderful.

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  18. Robin, hope you're feeling back up to speed ASAP!! Happy New Year!!

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  19. I love Nanowrimo. I did cheat and work on a WIP instead of starting something new, but 50K is 50K. I got the dohickey. Never worked so hard for a dohickey in my life. And now my 20K WIP is a 70+K WIP.

    Working on two new novella series and finishing up the Sinners on Tour series this year. Have fun with your new project!

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  20. Happy release week Bella.
    I just saw a cute sign on the way home.
    New years resolutions are in one year and out the other LOL.

    I'm going to try to get rid of some books but it's hard because I only buy keepers LOL.

    My Chapters store still doesn't have YFTT in stock - dammit.

    Ciao for now.

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  21. HeyRobin-I can't wait to read Trapper's book! I'm glad to hear you're feeling better. Best wishes and much continued success to you!
    Sara

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  22. Hi Robin! It's always wonderful when you fall in love with your hero... :}

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