Sourcebooks Casablanca Romance Authors

Just before Thanksgiving, I wrote the two words that every author loves--“The End,” marking the completion of my latest Victorian romance. The first in a projected series, taking place in a different year and a different setting, and featuring a cast of new characters whose dynamics are complicated and contentious even on a good day. As you can guess, it’s been quite a ride, bringing these people to life and giving the lead couple the happy ending they (mostly) deserve! Over the years, I’ve learned that every book I write has something to teach me. The first one, which remains close to my heart, showed me that I could see a project of that scope through to the end. Waltz with a Stranger taught me about perseverance, about getting back in the game even in the face of distractions and disappointments. A Song at Twilight taught me about taking risks and trying new approaches in storytelling--because how else does one grow as a writer? This last one? Taught me about focus ....

Today I'm going to talk a little bit about my process of writing. I've been writing fiction seriously since 2009, and the way I go about things now is totally different than how I got started. In the beginning, I didn't plot SQUAT. I sat down in front of the computer and the muse breath took me away. It was fun, letting my creativity loose and seeing where the story took me. When I sat down to write, I had no idea what kind of story would fly out of my fingers. It was an adventure. But then I finished something and decided I wanted to publish it. And therein lay the problem. My muse breath didn't care about structure. The story I'd made wasn't satisfying because I didn't understand the way the story was put together. Some people instinctively structure their stories well. They can pants their way through any book, no matter the length, and be totally fine with it. Those people are so not me. Back in 2011, I attended my very first writer's conference...